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So, long story short, I spilled milk on my laptop in an Oreo dunk gone wrong while leveling an alt.

Now, I need a new computer. I am going to be getting a desktop. I need a computer that:

1.) Can function as a home recording studio...I will be producing music, mixing tracks, etc. I'll also be using a midi-controller and keyboard as the principal instrument (therefore I need some decent ram, and a decent processor and harddrive space)

2.) Gaming - WoW is the game that will be played mostly, however, I'd like to play starcraft 2 as well, perhaps something like Knights of the Old Republic Online or w/e

3.) Pricing: I'd like to keep it under $1,000 for everything ( I have speakers, but obviously i'd need everything else)

4.) I used to be all about the Mac, but I simply can't get the power I need for that price with a Mac (seriously, a Dell that costs $600 costs $1200 if it's a Mac with the same power)

Here's what I've been leaning towards:

http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/desktops ... s=19&s=dhs


Suggestions? Opinions? I need your advice nerds!

Skip the pre-built crap and get more for you money. If you can solve a jigsaw puzzle, you can put a PC together.

Have a bro or two who knows their shit look over your parts list before you put in your order, though.

Cindered
Another Cindered

A penny put in a jar is a penny not put in my nose.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811129042
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $54.95

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813121388
Intel BOXDP55WB LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard $104.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819115214
Intel Core i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor $279.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820134852
Kingston 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR1333D3N9K3/6G $167.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814121380
ASUS CuCore Series EAH4850 CUCORE TOP/2DI/1GD3 Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card $119.99 (minus $20 MIR = $99.99)

I don't advise getting a hard drive from Newegg, they get all their stuff discounted from the manufacturer, so you have to return all defects to them instead of using the manufacturer warranty. Posted here for comparison puropses only.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6822145286
HITACHI Deskstar HD30500 IDK/7K (0S00161) 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive $49.99



The board only has one PCI-e x16 slot, so you won't be able to do Crossfire/SLI with it. If that's an issue, get one with 2x PCI-e slots.

You'll also need DVD drive, those can be had for $20 at your local Best Buy or something. Keyboard + mouse as well. I have a few Logitech MX Revolution mice and they are worth every penny.

The stuff above is just over $750, and will be good for several years at least.

EDIT: That case doesn't come with power supply...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817182075
Rosewill Stallion Series RD450-2-SB 450W ATX V2.2 Power Supply $34.99

--I think 450 should be big enough for what you need. It's very easy to starve out the newer video cards. They are pigs.

I've considered building one myself. Here's a couple things I am worried about though:

1. What tools would I need to build a computer....and since I must say I've had little experience actually looking in computers...i'd be worried about doing things incorrectly. I assume there's guides online for assembly?

2. Compatibility - I've heard that you can have significant issues building your own PC because of some parts not working together properly etc. If things are out of wack, you can't exactly go to a manufacturer to help you, can you?

Again, consider that I want this baby to be powerful enough to record music with, and I'll be installing various recording software etc on it, so I'm hesitant about having issues with parts etc not working right.

3. OS - I guess I'd just buy Windows 7 and manually install it, I assume it's easy enough.

Your hands. A phillips screwdriver and perhaps a flathead too. Don't get too worried about anti-static or whatnot, just don't run around shocking your computer parts.

Putting pieces into the right spot is actually very easy. Computer parts are like giant LEGO blocks. If something doesn't fit easily, it probably shouldn't go there. There's also a lot of instruction manuals and the like. (Heatsink not included, possibly will take some forcing. Don't break anything.)


Mostly the issues you will encounter are making sure your motherboard and CPU are compatible. On newegg, at least, this is easy to do. If you get an AMD processor, make sure the motherboard says "works with AMD CPUs!", 64bit, etc. Just read what it works with and maybe even just ask.

Most every video card nowadays is PCI-express 16x, but some are PCI-express 2.0 SOMENUMBERHEREx. Again, read on the motherboard what it has and supports, usually quite clear.


Someone else will have to answer this.


Yes.

A screwdriver, and the ability to read a manual.



This is why you have someone check your order over. In the event something goes wrong, I think Newegg allows returns as long as you don't mangle the original packaging.



But seriously, it's really not that difficult. I'm a fucking moron(I'm sure there are many people willing to confirm this) and I managed to put together a PC that's lasted me 4 years.

Cindered
Another Cindered

A penny put in a jar is a penny not put in my nose.

If you want someone to spec a computer for you so it can run a certain software package, it helps to know what that software package is. Also, what hardware did you plan on interfacing with your computer - keyboards, other instruments, mixers, etc?

ill run your package

I'll double your entendre.

Akiina - Priest - Royal Militia
Leeloo Minai Lekarariba-Laminai-Tchai Ekbat De Sebat

There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

I'll have coitus with you.

That means I want to have sex with you.

And that means you think she's stupid.

So good luck with the coitus thing now.

He's still trying to seduce Chrystal, I'm safe.

Akiina - Priest - Royal Militia
Leeloo Minai Lekarariba-Laminai-Tchai Ekbat De Sebat

There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

I am a completionist and cannot move on to the next thing until the current task is done.