I'd very much appreciate it if some knowledgeable bods can give me some recommendations on gear for my new machine. I've been out of the loop for the best part of four years now, my most recent PC (RIP) dates back to 2005, with only RAM and HDD upgrades since then.
I have a few provisos in mind, but I don't think they're unreasonable... The machine will be running XP Pro - NOT Vista!, for hardware and personal reasons - and dualbooted with some flavour of Linux and OSX Leopard (Hackintosh baby! Finally I can use Logic at home as well as at University to do my coursework.) A mate of mine said he was pretty much forced to install Vista because he was sent the DX10 version of his card when he ordered - which ran like ass in XP. This is very undesireable for me, as having to use Vista day in day out on other machines is more than enough
Many of my choices aren't made yet, but here's what I'm aiming for:
Graphics card
Make: preferably NVidia, I feel like I've run the course with ATi cards and they just don't match up (particularly when doing stuff like passing signal to HDTVs, and other related driver issues).
Dual DVI is preferable, HDCP-compliant HDMI if there's one out there would be ace (but not essential).
Performance: needs to be able to play games like CS:S at good framerates, and be able to handle games like Spore and BioShock 2 without rocking back and forward slowly while hiding in the corner.
CPU
Make: most definitely Intel. Aside from it smoothing the Hackintosh setup, I've again run the course with AMD chips, and they just seem to have been outstripped by Intel in the past five/six years. Now, here's a tricky one... The more I read about the Q6600 CPU, the more I see just how much of a powerhouse it is when compared with other chips. Is it really *that* good?! The most recent THG System Builder Marathon (their $625 Gaming PC article) recommends the E7300, so I'm doubly unsure. And I've also seen the Q9450 recommended by other THG users, which apparently runs cooler than the Q6600 and has more L2 cache, so I'm triply unsure.
Mobo
And of course, I need a decent mobo to pair the CPU up with... I'm also thinking about SLI as a potential future option for increasing 3D performance, and I've read that an 8800 series card will provide that kind of future upgrade path, so that sounds tasty. Is it worth it though?
I'm so unsure of what make of mobo to buy - Asus? DFI? Abit? Is Gigabyte stuff good again? I had such trouble with an old nForce 3 mobo that I'm a bit scared of nvidia chipset mobos but again, if it's improved and makes a good system, then I'll give it another go I suppose. Gigabit ethernet is a must, handful of USB2 ports, firewire, PS/2 for my oldskool keyboard would be a nice bonus.
I seriously need some help in this area! I've fallen so far out of step with current kit that I have absolutely no idea where to start.
Another key concern for me is that I'd love to be able to play 1080p HD video (both from HD-DVDs using my xbox 360 HD-DVD drive, and from 1080p x264 MKVs). My laptop can handle 720p fine but fails horribly with 1080p and I neeeeed that 1080p capability! With a Q6600 and an 8800, would this kind of playback be readily achievable, or would it need something beefier than that?
Given my budget (thinking initially around half a grand, with £100 or so breathing space max, but I can justify a price hike if it's totally worth it), I'm seeking that mystical 'all-round balance', but I'm not a mad overclocker and neither am I a mad hardcore 24/7 gamer. I just want decent enough game framerates and a raw performance boost for every day apps and audio work / graphics work
Stuff that's either already decided on, or is far more flexible:
Audio: my old SB Audigy 2 will do very nicely thanks, it works great with the kX Project drivers (7ms ASIO latency too)
HDDs: I'll be buying some Seagate SATAs, the only make of drives that haven't blown up or died on me yet!
Case: Lusting after the £180 Cooler Master, also lusting after Lian Lis but will probably end up buying the Antec 300
RAM: ... Probably end up buying Crucial again, but I'm open to suggestions. (Hiper? OCZ?)
Monitor: already have one Sammy, wouldn't mind a nice LG or other good panel which can run at more than 1280x800 to make the most of HD content and gaming
PSU: will most definitely be another modular Enermax, the last one I bought has been rock solid... But why are some retailers just not stocking them at the moment?!
kb & mouse: already got
Optical drives: already have (Lite-On)
So as you can see, that leaves me with the following components as undecided, but they are biggies:
Mobo & CPU (and HSF...)
RAM
Graphics card (with SLI possibility?)
Display
My budget is flexible, and as I have virtually no useful knowledge to help me out with my forthcoming PC splurge, I'm relying on you guys to help a nerd out All useful people will be thanked through the rep system, of course! And also although I have an ebuyer business account, I'm more than happy to send my custom towards Scan if it's worth it financially. (or Aria, or Novatech, or Tekheads if it's worth it from a common sense standpoint...)
Hopefully this will help other middle-of-the-road system builders in the forthcoming new year who have a bit more cash than they'd usually have, but can't afford a crazy expensive setup