Had a really good week last week, and a big bonus is coming in shortly that should allow me to toss my six your old computer in favor of something newer, better, faster. So. . .
I'm looking for recommendations, and posting the thread here because I what I'm looking for is becoming a better Battlefield soldier, not someone's idea of a generic great gaming rig. However, while I took some computer and EE courses in college that was before the existence of multi-core processors, cheap RAM, digital modems, DVDs, laptops, cell phones, etc. As my son likes to say, my first television was a black & white transister radio!
Some stuff is basic. E.g., "as much RAM as possible." Don't bother with that.
Processor: my research suggests I-7, but there are multiple I-7's out there. Should I care about the difference?
Video cards: I don't know anything. I'm running Radeon 5670 now, but I saw a computer last week that had two video cards linked together somehow. Does this really make a big difference? I've talked to a couple of people at big electronics stores, but frankly they didn't sound like they knew what they were talking about either.
Input devices: do I really need a gaming keyboard and gaming mouse? Do they have a big impact? Some impact?
Other: Some folks on vent brag about their water cooling, but when I saw a computer with it all I could think about was "yeah, and what moron designer engineered putting a tank of water on top of the motherboard?" Seriously, a small radiator on top with rubber hoses to a jacket around the processor. All stuff wears out, and the last thing I want is drips of water/coolant on electronics. I get that convection requires that the radiator be higher than what it's cooling, but I can't believe there isn't a better way.
Any other thing I should be thinking about?
This is not a "next week" purchase. I have time to research and consider possibilities and alternatives, but I want to have this computer for several years and not require an upgrade next fall. Your thoughts, or even spirited debate, are appreciated.
Papa
I'm looking for recommendations, and posting the thread here because I what I'm looking for is becoming a better Battlefield soldier, not someone's idea of a generic great gaming rig. However, while I took some computer and EE courses in college that was before the existence of multi-core processors, cheap RAM, digital modems, DVDs, laptops, cell phones, etc. As my son likes to say, my first television was a black & white transister radio!
Some stuff is basic. E.g., "as much RAM as possible." Don't bother with that.
Processor: my research suggests I-7, but there are multiple I-7's out there. Should I care about the difference?
Video cards: I don't know anything. I'm running Radeon 5670 now, but I saw a computer last week that had two video cards linked together somehow. Does this really make a big difference? I've talked to a couple of people at big electronics stores, but frankly they didn't sound like they knew what they were talking about either.
Input devices: do I really need a gaming keyboard and gaming mouse? Do they have a big impact? Some impact?
Other: Some folks on vent brag about their water cooling, but when I saw a computer with it all I could think about was "yeah, and what moron designer engineered putting a tank of water on top of the motherboard?" Seriously, a small radiator on top with rubber hoses to a jacket around the processor. All stuff wears out, and the last thing I want is drips of water/coolant on electronics. I get that convection requires that the radiator be higher than what it's cooling, but I can't believe there isn't a better way.
Any other thing I should be thinking about?
This is not a "next week" purchase. I have time to research and consider possibilities and alternatives, but I want to have this computer for several years and not require an upgrade next fall. Your thoughts, or even spirited debate, are appreciated.
Papa
. That thing is just ridiculously enormous.
It is in the upper level of the Benchmark section but pretty easy on your wallet . I already have 2 setups with the same Casing and I love it. Its a great case with lots of features and extras . NO noise level and a great look with huge space. It swallowed my old RIG from last year like nothing and is still up and running. I just like more performance right now. I got an AMD Eight core right now and an i5 35xx something. Tried my friends i7 and it blew my mind. Here the links for the complete ready setup. Hope I could help. Aloha 
.. just FYI . 
