DUDE I'M BUYING A DELL!

someplace like this: http://www.magicmicro.com/

which is where I got mine.

(Basic stuff you probably know: order of priority for outsplashage is graphics card > memory > processor, SLI is only really useful at 1600x1200 right now but that may or may not change, if you're buying a dell it's for the support package rather than the value)

OTM. Someone was asking me for computer advice and they wanted an alienware for $7k. I was like... uhh you can have 95% of that performance for like 30% of the price. He got the alienware, and picked the intel version too which was even more expensive and makes no sense in a gaming box.

the bottom line is: BUILD YOUR OWN. and sure, you're maybe gonna say "i can't do it, i don't know how", well like, nobody knew how til they tried to do it. as long as you've got access to the interwebs from another system, you'll be able to overcome any problems you encounter on tech forums or whatever. i was scared as hell when i built my first PC, but it all turned out fine in the end. and now i'm obviously total pro because i built another at christmas and had absolutely zero trouble, not a single error. as long as you get a couple of people to look over the specs with you, make sure everything is compatible, building is actually pretty pish. ramble ramble ramble. you really should try, though. you'll save packets.

Tom's Hardware has a step-by-step bit. the article is a little older, but it's pretty much the same. Some of the extras mentioned in the article(sound, lan, etc) are now handled by most of the mobos out there.

Tho my experience has been to get a used sound card in place of using on-board sound, since it's much more stable. I went from the just using the AC97 on-board sound to a used Sound Blaster Live XGamer that I got from CL for $25, and the games stopped crashing so much.

or: http://www.hardwarecentral.com/hardwarecentral/tutorials/109/1/

Hell, even some of the chip-makers have guides on their own sites about how to do it.

What TOM said. Also, I'm lazy & just want to hit ON and make w/ the Civ building & XP grinding ASAP. I co-built my current PC about 6 years ago (& added stuff here & there so I wouldn't be running backwards), and I'd kinda like to avoid that process, even though it probably is The Way to go.

When I got my last PC, i ordered a barebones model online, had them stick a graphics card in it, then transfered the rest of it myself.

Plus, some places will check for stability and warranty the thing for a year or so.

XPost: yeah, there's that. I'd just recommend getting an full rig from some online place, not necessarily a Dell, which comes with all sortsa shit you may not want.

Hey! Change your pants when you sass me!

FWIW, I've been thinking Dell because they sent me a catalog, and I've been browsing their website, and I'm wondering what happened to Dell Dude after his pot bust. Also, my roommate (my go-to tech-guy) says DUDE DELL!, but I think that's because he doesn't want to be bothered w/ my bother, and he's busy WoWing. ("Dude, my DPS is SICK!") Kingfish's plan of attack sounds, um, sound, tho.

har. if this ain't a t-shirt yet, it should be.

1. Buy an issue of PC Gamer
2. Flip to their hardware section.

There's a page at the beginning of the section that lays out all of the components that go into an entry-level, mid-range and dream gaming PC.

# Case Make sure you buy a case which will fit the space you intend to use it in. Allow room for expandability: spare drive bays, ample room to work inside. Make sure it has a power supply. Is the case clean?
# Motherboard It needs to fit in the case you choose and support all hardware you intend to use. Make sure it has ample documentation. For more info, see Motherboard Buying Tips.
# Processor Inspect the CPU for bent pins. Don't touch the pins.
# Memory Make sure your motherboard fully supports the memory that you buy. Take into consideration parity and memory type (SDRAM, EDO?). When handling the memory, avoid touching the contacts. Along with this, buy a cache module if your motherboard doesn't have the cache built on.
# Video Card For high-performance, buy a PCI video card. Consider your main uses: business programs, or 3D gaming. If you are doing any graphical work or games with this system, you should buy a mid to high end video card. It is better to get one from a major manufacturer in multimedia such as Diamond, but more generic cards, such as Trident, are usually good for multi-purpose use.
# Floppy Drive Really very straightforward. Make sure it looks good and the pins are all intact. Don't even consider a 5¼" floppy!
# Hard Drive Make sure it looks good. Always buy new hard drives. And make sure it has a manual.
# CD-ROM Make sure it has a driver installation disk. You will need to get this drive working quickly so that you can install the operating system.
# Keyboard & Mouse Rather self-explanatory. Make sure the keyboard connector fits into the plug on the motherboard, otherwise you may need an adapter. Make sure the mouse works. And choose the right kind for your system: serial or PS/2.
# Heat Sink/Fan Get a heat sink and fan rated for the processor you intend to use. If it is not already attached to the CPU, you will need to pick up heat sink compound. Heat sink compound isn't needed on all systems due to clips on many heat sinks that attach them to tabs on the CPU socket.
# Drive cables Make sure you have all cables for connecting the hard drive, floppy drive, and CD-ROM to the I/O on the motherboard or I/O card. These cables usually are supplied with the motherboard, but not always, and maybe not in the quantity you need.
# Audio Cable Usually supplied with the CD-ROM, it connects your CD-ROM to your sound card directly.
# Screws Make sure you have enough screws. Usually, an ample amount is supplied with your case. Make sure the screws are the right size. There are different sizes used for connecting card than for connecting drives, and if you try using a large screw on the drive, you'll crack the drive.

btw, what's go time?

-case
-mobo that fits the case(mobo should have enough on-boards whatzits to handle network and sound needs).
-power supply(with enough leads & wattage to power all the shit you're gunna stick in there
-vid card(go for nvidia, my ati is annoying)
-1 gig of ram
-hard drive
-dvd/rom drive
-cd drive
-keyb
-mous
-cpu with cooling apparatus(heatsink + fan)
-case fans(2+)
-sound card?(maybe)

will you be transfering any hardware over from the old machine? (I always keep an older harddrive.) You keeping that monitor?

Warranty.

You will be far more screwed if your ebay-sourced motherboard dies than if you had a specced kit from a reliable retailer. Dell are Dell, but their higher end kit isnt that bad and they'll see you right if yr shit dies (mind you I'd only bother with Dell for laptops not desktops).

I got a desktop machine to my spec from a good local PC vendor, they built it for me (I cant be arsed), it meant it cost a couple hundred more but its warranteed, and being local the return to base is easy (no shipment hassles).

Buyer beware and all that.

Dudes.

or

http://shsc.info/BudgetPCPartsGuide

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/kwik-e-simpsons/wallpapers/nelson-800x600.gif

this laptop has 1920x1200 resolution!!