You did not give a budget.  A power gaming computer will cost about $4000 
(US).

Your question about memory tells me that you need to do a lot more research 
before your first purchase. You should get about 2 Gigabytes of memory!

There is an Intel CPU for about $350 (at a place like NewEgg) that Tom's 
Hardware Guide recommends as a high-value cpu.  You probably do not need a 
quad-core cpu, but a good dual-core cpu is probably a necessity.  The more 
you spend, the faster a cpu you get but at a declining rate of return.

There are several video cards that are high-end cards.  They usually have 
about 512 megabytes of memory on them and cost between three and five 
hundred dollars.  Or more.  There are budget choices. Make sure that the 
motherboard you choose is compatible with the video card (i.e. pci express 
or agp).  Most of the high-end video cards are now pci express, which 
requires a compatible motherboard and power supply.

I have found that WD Raptor drives make loading graphics much more 
tolerable.

My recommendation is to get a copy of PC Gamer magazine, which has a 
hardware section in the back which  recommends different systems based on 
the amount of money that you can spend.  It changes every month as new 
equipment comes out.

Also, go to

http://www.extremetech.com/
http://www.tomshardware.com/us/
http://www.anandtech.com/

for their recommendations.

I hope that this gets  you started.  For me, half the fun of building a new 
computer is doing the research and deciding what I want to get.  Shopping. 
:)

Dean Kukral

PS: Don't forget to budget for an operating system.  (XP or Vista).  You can 
get an OEM version for much less money, but if, like me, you intend to make 
a lot of changes, then the full version might be better.  For example, you 
might upgrade your cpu, motherboard, and memory, but use other stuff from 
your current computer.  Then add on new things as your finances allow.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Patrick Macaspac" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2007 9:13 PM
Subject: [PCBUILD] Your help is appreciated.


Hi people of PCBUILD and members:

  Good Morning, and I hope you can help me with this.

  I am planning on building a PC that is intended to be for gaming and 
application development. Can you suggest the specs of hardware to buy so I 
can build a considerably power PC? I intend to assemble the C myself. Is it 
necessary to get an Intet Core2Duo for gaming considering the requirement of 
games nowadays like Need 4 Speed and GTA IV? Which video card you think is 
the most suitable for gaming? Also, I am in a humid region, is there any 
particular type of processor and motherboard suitable for humid / hot room 
tempearature, like 40degrees Celsuis almost everyday? Is a single 512Mb 
(PC800 DDR2) memory module enough?

  Your suggestions will be much appreciated.

  BTW: I learn a lot from the seniors here (David Gillett, Venkat, Tom 
Mayer, Mr. Kukral)

  Thanks in advance.

  Patrick M.
 

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