Building my New System (I need it within the next 2 weeks)!

[Joey Thunder]

Hello everybody!

I am building a new system to be used as a media center (movies and music) and as a Graphic Design station (to run programs such as Photoshop, Flash, Dreamweaver and Illustrator). I am going to be using dual monitors which I already own. I also have a 250 GB Hard Drive, mouse, keyboard and speakers. My budget is between $500 and $800 and I want to use the latest technologies. What parts should I use?

Also, is AMD a good choice? My friend who is computer savvy says that I can build a good PC for my needs for around $600. Is that true or will I be spending more money?

I also want at least 1 1/2 gigs of RAM. I am going to do some research for parts tonight and I will use the notepad doc that Panama Red created. But I figured maybe a nice and knowledgeable source would respond and give me some advice on parts now. I need my PC soon for I am going back to college.

Thanks in advance! I look forward to all of your responses!

-Joe

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Joey Thunder I am going to be using dual monitors which I already own. I also have a 250 GB Hard Drive, mouse, keyboard and speakers. My budget is between $500 and $800 and I want to use the latest technologies. What parts should I use?

Do you want to know which parts still need to be selected (motherboard, CPU, video card, RAM, etc...) or are you asking for specific brand and model of those parts?

Originally Posted by Joey Thunder Also, is AMD a good choice?

Yes.

Originally Posted by Joey Thunder My friend who is computer savvy says that I can build a good PC for my needs for around $600. Is that true or will I be spending more money?

It depends on the type of computer you're looking to build. I can put together a nice business or home computer together for $600 but for a gaming rig it depends on the specs of the system. A full tilt gaming rig could easily cost $2000 to $3000. I haven't built a multi-media specific computer for awhile but I'm guessing $800 may get you what you need.

Originally Posted by Joey Thunder I also want at least 1 1/2 gigs of RAM.

You may want at least 2GB for what you want to build.

Cricket