I'm constructing a new computer. HELP MEZ!

[ArthurDent]

Upon attempting to install Empire: Total War, and The Sims 3 i realised my computer is a pile of steaming donkey #@$%.

Anyways, i'm planning on either having a new computer constructed at a local store or just buying a really good computer at some big store, like Best Buy, or just get a discount at Circuit City, OH WAIT! That's right. Circuit City no longer exists, and my entire family is out of job because of it!

Anyways, i want your opinion on my opinion, and i was wondering if you could all help me select the parts for a new computer.

Under 775 that is.

For RAM i'm thinking 3-8 GBs, 300-600 GBs of hard drive space with no second hard drive.
I'm thinking a ATI 4800 or a 5000 for a graphics card.
A dual core 2.8 GHz or higher for the processor.

So what do ya' think?

[Vicious88]

If $775 is you're budget than you've got a nice world of possibility open to you.

For example, here's some food for thought.

If you act soon (as they're having a sale) you can get a customized Dell Inspiron 530s Desktop Computer with all of the following specs I've layed out for you:

~Intel? Core?2 Duo Processor E7500 (3MB L2 Cache,2.93GHz,1066 FSB)
~Windows Vista? Home Premium Service Pack 1 (which if you're not happy with, as I wouldn't be, whipe it out and put in Windows XP or better yet LASTXP)
~1Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty (Which you won't be claiming on because you'll be removing Vista and putting on XP -- which will void that warranty out nicely).
~4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz- 4DIMMs
~640GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache (This will leave you plenty of storage space even after Windows and your first few games are installed).
~16X DVD+/-RW ComboDrive
~No Monitor (Why spend the money - use the one you've already got)
~ATI Radeon HD 3450 256MB supporting HDMI

Do you want to know the best part? All of this only comes to $624 -- leaving you with $150 to with... whatever you want.

I've worked as a computer technician for many years, and if there is one thing I can tell you when looking to have a computer built, it's this: "If you're looking to get the most for your money, and can't/won't build one for yourself - go with a Dell. They're reliable, affordable, and if something should ever go wrong, their incredibly easy to work on, and all of the parts, should anything need to be replaced, are often times, very reasonably priced."

Go by their website or call them up.

I mean, I'll be honest -- is this the most awesome gaming machine of all time? Not really... But is it likely to be a whole lot better than what you'd get for $624 anywhere else? Oooooh yeah. And with the money you saved you could consider my birthday which will be coming up here on the 14th, lol -- just kidding :p

[Lucien]

yeah, i'd go with what Vicious has laid out there.

[Vicious88]

And if what I've put isn't quiet powerful enough of a gaming machine for you - remember you could always save money when ordering by having them NOT put in the graphics card, and ordering a video card of your own choice from online and put it in yourself.

[ArthurDent]

Errrr, well i don't exactly have ANY money right now, so the thingy you laid out won't be landing in my hands anytime soon. :/

I'm just saying that i'm not goignt o be spending over 750, because i'm poor as a rock.

[Oolala]

Vicious pretty much spec'd out the most reasonable set up you're gonna get for under your speculated budget. I just want to add that you should never ever ever evveerrr consider buying from Best Buy. They've got some cracked out hidden fees. Good luck!

[Scavar]

I'm going to throw in that I always suggest people build their own computers, even when they have no idea what's going on. I find most people with some assistance are able to grasp the construction process very easily, and later down the line you have a greater understanding of exactly what your computer is.

And of course, you'll generally save money. I just recently for a friend built a computer nearly twice as powerful as that in all aspects except RAM and HDD space for ~500$.

Of course it helps that he had me to be around and help him, and if you really are uncomfortable without having an experienced computer builder around then I have to agree with the others that Dell(I do hate them, but that's a different story) is a solid place to purchase a computer for the uninitiated to building.

I'd suggest not getting the graphics card Vicious listed in that sort of machine though, and purchase your own.