Don't know what to get...

[LiteOnWords]

Hello everyone, I know some things about computer parts and such but I don't know that much indepth. I have about $2,096.00 USD to spend on a new computer. What hardware should I get that is pretty much top in the line for ram, processor, sound card, graphics card, ect...

Thanks for your help!

[Gecko]

For $2,096.00 USD you should be able to get a nice system.

My question back to you is:

How do you plan on using this system the most?
Games, as a Server, 3d modeling, multimedia...

[Tank]

Here is the system I am building. I am using it for Gaming, Video production and Animation.

AMD ATHLON XP 3000+
2 Sticks 512MB PC3200 Dual Channel RAM
Nvidia GeForce 6800GT 256MB DDR3 Video Card
SoundBlaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum with remote and control center that sits in one of your CD-ROM bays.
420 Watt Dual Fan Dual Ball Bearing Ultra Quiet PSU
16X DVD ROM (48X CD-ROM)
52X32X52 CD-RW
200GB 7200RPM Hard Drive

All this for about $1600 to $1800 Canadian Dollars, case included to. I buy the parts myself and build it myself to. Saves money, but yea that's my new system, FAST!!!!!!!!! Hope this helps ya!

[LiteOnWords]

[liljim]

The specs that Tank provided above is an excelent guide to go by.My recommendations would go to AMD and Nvidia.You will want a minimum if 512 ddr system memory and 128 ddr video memory for gaming.A good size hard drive is important, as games do take up alot of space.I've always preffered maxtor as far as IDE drives go, i really couldnt comment on SATA drives as i havent tried out any myself.For the amount of money you have set aside you might be able to get setup with a 64 bit system instead of a 32.Definatly worth the time to check around for prices in your area.Personally if i were going to spend the money to build something new...i would go with 64.Now that the hardware is avaliable to us,it wont be long before the software is too.The catch will be that those of us still running 32 bit systems wont be able to use the 64 bit version software (such as the next release of windows).I hope all that helps in some degree..

liljim