Any Gaming PC specialists here?

[Vacaville]

Go get a copy of PC Gamer magazine. It'll give you good options for building a good gaming PC at various price points from $500 to $3500.

[Brianguy]

I just upgraded my system last month. Here's what I got:
i7 930 @ microcenter for $200

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0331303

ASRock mobo with just about every feature I could need $189

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157189

G.Skill 6gb ddr3 $164

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231304

Slapped it together and fired up with no problems. Easiest build ever!
I used my 260gtx from previous system. It's plays everything smoothly at 1900x1200 on high settings.
BC2, APB, DiRT2, L4D2, Shattered Horizon, Tropico 3, etc... smooooooth

[nemisis1400]

I just upgraded my system last month. Here's what I got:
i7 930 @ microcenter for $200

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0331303

ASRock mobo with just about every feature I could need $189

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157189

G.Skill 6gb ddr3 $164

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231304

Slapped it together and fired up with no problems. Easiest build ever!
I used my 260gtx from previous system. It's plays everything smoothly at 1900x1200 on high settings.

The sad thing about you doing this is that I might just go to those sites and buy all that just so that i don't have to go thru the headache of learning every detail before i make my own.

That's how I usually work, it's either a really long stretch of intricate planning to attempt to get everything right, or I scream kick the table and let instinct(or whatever is in front of me) guide me.

[Brianguy]

The sad thing about you doing this is that I might just go to those sites and buy all that just so that i don't have to go thru the headache of learning every detail before i make my own.

That's how I usually work, it's either a really long stretch of intricate planning to attempt to get everything right, or I scream kick the table and let instinct(or whatever is in front of me) guide me.

Its a pretty good rig for the price. The ram has already gone down $5 in a month, damn technology! I took a gamble on that mobo and it worked out damn good features and hex core ready