New rig HELP!!

[sniperp_99]

I've decided instead of upgrading my Laptop I'm going to build a regular desktop for my gaming and use my laptop for traveling. Now i haven't kept up on the current trends and technology so I'm completely in the dark right now as to what to get. I wont be building this rig for about 4 months, about to move and don't have to money yet to build a new rig, but i would still like some help as if i was going to build now what to look at so i can compare in a few months. I'm only going to need to build the tower, i have everything else, and want to go Intel and an Nvidia card and would have about a $2500 budget, but lower would be better to get my wife to allow it . Any help would be appreciated especilly some help with links or some explanation of the new technology that's out right now.

[NavyChief]

Well, I am glad to see that you opted to build a new desktop instead of upgrading the laptop.

A $2500 budget will get you a fairly high-end setup considering all you need is the tower and not all the other external components.

As for the tower itself, many here are considering the new Cooler Master HAF X. This is a new full-tower model that should be out in a few months. About the right time for this build.

The Intel i7 930 is a new 4-core CPU for around $280. This processor is easily overclockable to 3.5GHz.

Nvidia just released (yesterday) the new GTX470 ($350) and GTX480 ($500) video cards. They are a single-GPU card but are the latest models and can handle most any game nicely.

On the motherboard front, there are many great companies. I myself recommend EVGA. The X58 'Classified' SLI ($370) is on the upper end and can handle anything.

Those are just some initial suggestions. There is a lot of research to do and you have the time to do it right. I like NewEgg.com for ordering the parts, their prices are very competitive and they have sales all the time.

[tehfunk101]

The crazy thing about the computer world is how fast everything changes, and that in 4 months every things going to be different! ie AMD will release their hexacore cpu's, Nvidia will release their dual-gpu card, usb 3.0 and sata6gb/s will start becoming a motherboard standard, etc etc.

And yes, $2500 is more than enough to make a ridiculously fast rig

[Schlup]

Agree fully with the two above posters.  We'll have to see what is available in 4 months when you intend to build.  The setup will change completely from recommendations now to what they will be in 4 months.  The stuff that I'm going to recommend in your build right now isn't even out yet.  For example, I'm going to recommend one of Intel's mid range i7 six core CPU's and who knows on video cards at this point, but I don't believe nVidia is going to make a dual GPU video card...which is what I would have recommended.