APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 1-2 months
BUDGET RANGE: Flexible, but preferably around $1,500
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming (FFXIV, Starcraft 2, Diablo 3), Media Center (stream blu ray rips), SQL Server Development, possible future use of C# (If I ever get the time to learn)
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers (would like new speakers If I can get it into the budget)
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Amazon, Newegg
PARTS PREFERENCES: Don't even know these days ... always been a fan of asus/antec
OVERCLOCKING: Doesn't matter
CROSSFIRE: Wow I'm getting old, no idea what this is
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1200
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Hey all. Haven't built a PC in over 3 years. I started browsing around here and on NewEgg and truthfully, I'm lost. To many hardcore enthusiasts that are way into the best of the best speccs, and I just don't know what I need right now. Hell, I don't even know who is better these days between AMD and Intel. Basically looking for some good mid to high level hardware that will hold out for a few years.
Few things to note here ...
1) I am a large man, and I get really pissed off over building PC's ... Need something with some convenience in regards to braided power cords, good locations for fans, easy to remove HDD's, etc. etc. Basically a nice case designed for those of us with fat, sweaty, sausage fingers. Also a fan of a "bells and whistles" case that gives off a nice look and gives lots of external convenience (ie, USB, audio, etc.).
2) I don't really play anything on my PC these days minus Warcraft 3. I plan on getting into games that we don't yet have speccs for (FFXIV, Starcraft 2, Diablo 3), so unsure what to scope for in regards to a video card, but I do know that I want to invest decently into a video card that will last for at least these 3 games.
3) I wouldn't really focus on the performance for a SQL perspective as what I do at home is not that intense compared to what I do at work where I have crazy machines to work on. At the least, I know I want a decently fast HDD to support my database activities.
4) One of my larger focuses is to rip my 250+ blu rays and create a media center. I realize this is going to be a ton of disk space and I'm not sure what my best bet is in regards to possibly doing something internal with a very large case, or relying on external. I think I would want at least a raid 1 for some FT, but ugh, that's gonna be a ton of disk! Looking for some ideas/recommendations. This also means I need a blu ray drive.
Hope this helps ... I just feel so lost and I really hope you guys can help to kick me in the right direction. Also, is there any websites out there that are about on par in regards to pricing to build you a PC these days? I see there are many (like www.CyberPowerPC.com), but obviously they make a profit off you in some sense, but are any rather close? If I can do without the headache of a build without paying for an OS (I have an MSDN subscription), than I may travel that route.
Thanks!
BUDGET RANGE: Flexible, but preferably around $1,500
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming (FFXIV, Starcraft 2, Diablo 3), Media Center (stream blu ray rips), SQL Server Development, possible future use of C# (If I ever get the time to learn)
PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, Speakers (would like new speakers If I can get it into the budget)
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Amazon, Newegg
PARTS PREFERENCES: Don't even know these days ... always been a fan of asus/antec
OVERCLOCKING: Doesn't matter
CROSSFIRE: Wow I'm getting old, no idea what this is
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1200
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Hey all. Haven't built a PC in over 3 years. I started browsing around here and on NewEgg and truthfully, I'm lost. To many hardcore enthusiasts that are way into the best of the best speccs, and I just don't know what I need right now. Hell, I don't even know who is better these days between AMD and Intel. Basically looking for some good mid to high level hardware that will hold out for a few years.
Few things to note here ...
1) I am a large man, and I get really pissed off over building PC's ... Need something with some convenience in regards to braided power cords, good locations for fans, easy to remove HDD's, etc. etc. Basically a nice case designed for those of us with fat, sweaty, sausage fingers. Also a fan of a "bells and whistles" case that gives off a nice look and gives lots of external convenience (ie, USB, audio, etc.).
2) I don't really play anything on my PC these days minus Warcraft 3. I plan on getting into games that we don't yet have speccs for (FFXIV, Starcraft 2, Diablo 3), so unsure what to scope for in regards to a video card, but I do know that I want to invest decently into a video card that will last for at least these 3 games.
3) I wouldn't really focus on the performance for a SQL perspective as what I do at home is not that intense compared to what I do at work where I have crazy machines to work on. At the least, I know I want a decently fast HDD to support my database activities.
4) One of my larger focuses is to rip my 250+ blu rays and create a media center. I realize this is going to be a ton of disk space and I'm not sure what my best bet is in regards to possibly doing something internal with a very large case, or relying on external. I think I would want at least a raid 1 for some FT, but ugh, that's gonna be a ton of disk! Looking for some ideas/recommendations. This also means I need a blu ray drive.
Hope this helps ... I just feel so lost and I really hope you guys can help to kick me in the right direction. Also, is there any websites out there that are about on par in regards to pricing to build you a PC these days? I see there are many (like www.CyberPowerPC.com), but obviously they make a profit off you in some sense, but are any rather close? If I can do without the headache of a build without paying for an OS (I have an MSDN subscription), than I may travel that route.
Thanks!