New System Advice

[maowv]

I could use some advice on a new system. I've never been a "computer guy" but find myself moving more that direction. Am looking to buy a new home system that is capable of audio/video storage/burning at a good pace, some level of gaming as I've become addicted to the new Rome strategy game and would prefer something that will remain current for a while without needing upgrades, yet remain fully upgradeable. Have been browsing/reading sites such as Dell, Velocity Micro, Alienware, Cyberpower, etc for so long that I have no idea what I need now. Am looking to spend around $2000 without monitor and am considering building my own although no experience with it but have help if I go that route.

In that price range, anyone have thoughts on specs you would purchase or build?

Thanks in advance for any guidance.
Mike

[splatfreak]

Build it, for that much you can have a nice rig.It's not that hard.As for specs. I would go for a AMD 64 bit CPU,A big hard drive like 250GB or more,at least 1GB of memory, and A nice video card like a nVidia 6800 or ATI X800 or 9800xt.Go to NEWEGG.com or Tigerdirect.com they have great prices.

[charlielx]

Hi, My Son is a "Gamer"and was going to build a Computer, I was using a old 450 mhz DELL and needed a new Computer also. so I told him to give me a parts list an I would see what the cost would be. it came around $2,500. Then I checker around ABS, Fulcon, VooDoo, Alienware , An it turned out that Alienware was offering Free Shipping, 6 months same as cash, plus $500. rebate and it was only $100. More then what We could build a top of the line Gaming computer for without the hassel. ( now they are offering a free CPU upgrade too) So we both purchased one from Them, and love it. so look both ways .

[LordGothren]

for that i would definantly get a top of the line graphics card. Say an nvidia x850 xt pe. But thats just me because i am an ati fanboy. Nvidia does make good cards also though.