Want to build a new system, any good 'build' guides you'd recommend?

[foycur]

My current system (specs are below) is getting a bit dated and frankly, I'm just itching to build a new computer. Since the days of pentium 4, hyperthreading, socket 478, and AGP video cards are long gone, I'm looking for some advice and/or guides on where to look for ideas.

I like to play games although I wouldn't consider myself a gaming 'geek' in that I need the latest $600 card and $1000 processor. But, I do like quality. I guess what I'm looking for is a decent mid range system that'll make look FSX and Vista look good without breaking my bank. I'm partial to Intel, ASUS, and ATI but I'd really be willing to try anything as I know the market changes like the winds. I'm not real keen on the latest in technology (for instance, all I know a RAID to be is something we'd do in the middle of the night to the sorority houses looking for panties).

Any ideas or general directions you can point me in would be greatly appreciated.

 

[F1N3ST]

What is your budget?

 

[foycur]

I'm looking to spend about 1000-1200 to build a new system. I already have a good case with a 480W Antec power supply, so I think I"ve got adequate juice.

 

[F1N3ST]

No need for that much get-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115013
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131142
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814122018
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820231087
and
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118020 (If you want to OC, result will be about 3Ghz+)
Will last you a LONG time

963$ with 35$ MIR.

or get this cheaper video card that still is DX10
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814186017 (I wouldnt reccomend it since other is not much more and double RAM)

Throw in a hard drive and optical drive and that will be a beast.

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

F1N3ST's suggestions are pretty good but check out the TS Mid-Range buying guide for other ideas as well.

 

[F1N3ST]

You could upgrade to a better processor like a E6600.

 

[raybay]

Some games do not work with Vista without upgrades, and so far I see little reason to go better than Windows XP Professional. The word is not out on Vista yet... so I would wait until the first service pack.

 

[chamillitarysk8]

raybay rofl yea the service packs are to help finish the OS but i mean isnt it supposed to be finished when you get it unless your just wanting to be jipped

 

[beef_jerky4104]

I reccomend this setup. It has quality parts that meat should meet you budget.

Gigabyte GA-965P-D3 LGA 775 Pin Motherboard
Intel E6300 LGA 775 Pin 1.86GHz CPU Conroe
Corsair XMS-2 2GB (2 x1GB) DDR2-800 RAM
Seagate Barracuda 320GB SATA2 16MB Buffer HDD
Lite-on DVD-RW 16X Standard Drive
eVGA e-Geforce 8800 GTS 320MB PCIe 16X
OCZ Game-X-Stream 700W Power Supply

 

[foycur]

Thanks for all the awesome ideas. I know I can always count on my fellow 'puter geeks to give me some new thoughts on stuff. You Cartman would say "you guys totally kick *****".