Help Choosing Hardware for a PC

[viralvengeance]

I would like to buy a desktop probably an Alienware or XPS.

I am a hardcore gamer, I usually like to have a few tabs in a web browser open, a music player, voice chat software and a video game at the same time. I play all kinds of games and would prefer highest settings with minimized lag). I also do web design, photo editing and the occasional video editing. I wish to start practicing video game design with 3d model designing software every once in a while as well. I would like a computer that can do all these things (gaming and multitasking being the most important) and not have to replace the computers hardware in the next few years.

Processor:
How many cores (4 or 6)?
How much GHz?
How much Cache?

Memory:
How many GB's (16 or 32)?
Quad Channel or Dual Channel?

Video Card:
Single or dual?
What NVIDIA card?

Hard Drive:
SSD - Yes or No and if so is 256GB SSD and 1TB+ ATA ok?

Sound Card:
Does it make a good difference between soundblaster and Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio?

OS:
Windows 7 or 8, does it matter?

Support Services/Insurances:
Worth buying and if so for how many years?

Additional advice would be much appreciated

 

[Josh Brumpton]

Additional Advice:
Please don't buy alienware 🙁
Rip off...

 

[Josh Brumpton]

Processor:
Depending on how much you want to do at once, and as you mention video editing, do for the highest you can.
Go for the highest Ghz you can of course, 3.5 is lowest id say.

Memory:
No need for 32. In gaming you will barely use 8. So if you want go 16...
Go dual channel if yo want to add more later.

Video Card:
It depends your budget. If you have unlimited, get 2x GTX 690
If your on a mid range budget maybe GTX 770. 2gb is all you will need.

Hard Drive:
Yes thats good, if your not perticularily caring about the boot up times and generally running a little slower, then dont bother with SSD, I would though.

Sound Card:
It does make a difference if you want to cash out on one, otherwise no problem.

OS: If your into gaming a lot, I'd say Windows 7 , its personal preference i suppose, look videos up on both

It is good to buy warranty, parts can come faulty etc. get it if you can, especially on most expensive parts.

I would say dont go alienware, they are a big rip off. Either build your own or go from a different company, DELL maybe, ASUS. whatever

 

[viralvengeance]

Thank you for your advice, it's much appreciated

 

[Josh Brumpton]

Anytime read my messages, thanks