I've built my last 3 myself, is there anything I should keep in mind this time? Should I wait another few months (august at latest) for some new technology to come out? I'm looking at something costing 2000 CND tops. Here's what I had in mind, please change what you think is necessary. These are just examples.

500GB or so HDD. Maybe 2 250 gigs would be better. Need a lot of space though (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822145137)

Up-to-date graphics card. I have a 5900XT now, and it plays things well, just no AA, etc. Can't decide between ATI or Nvidia, leaning towards Nvidia, they've been my last 3 cards. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127278)

Dual core processor, AMD once again. Is there anything new that I need to look out for? (http://canadacomputers.com/index.php...&cid=CPU .907)

2 Gig memory. Corsair. (http://canadacomputers.com/index.php...&cid=RAM .475)

Mobo, Case, PSU I'll get according to what parts I get. Otherwise, am I missing anything, should I change anything, etc. I'll probably be getting a new keyboard and mouse, and another monitor maybe.

No I don't want an SLI setup.

Forgot to mention, I'll be running dual monitors. I want to use the computer for gaming, work (word, excel, etc). I also want to do photoshop and maya, and also lots and lots of movies.

For video cards, the nVidia Geforce 8800 GTX is the fastest but it costs a lot. The Geforce 8800 GTS 640 MB and 320 MB edition might be able to suit everyone with a much lower cost.

If you plan on getting an AMD processor, the AMD 64 X2 6000+ is I think the best AMD processor and is quite a good deal compared to its Intel counterpart. But if you really want more power, go for Intel Core 2 Duo.

Definately go a Core 2 Duo, they arn't too expensive anyway.

If you'r addament about going AMD I'd get the 5200 or the 5600 so you get the 2MB cache just touch the FSB up a bit to make it 6000+ and you will be well away

but rember AMD's use alot of power the 6000's are rated at 125watts, now thats not gunna be much of a cool chip, so consider investing in an aftermarket cooler

as for agraphics card depending on you'r cash I'd get any of the following (lowest at start)

8600Gt 7900gs x1950pro 8800Gts 8800GTX

dont go for the 8600GT just because its a cheap DX10 card, when DX10 comes around it'll be shit at what its bieng asked to do lol.

I would suggest getting a RAID0 arrangement for hard driver. And whatever you do, dont use the inbuilt "soft raids".
And nothing beats the 8800GTX if you budget allows it, get it.
I would take the best graphics card over the best proccessor anyday.

Also dont get a PSU that comes with a case, they tend to be crap; buy something from a reputable company.

Thanks for the replies.

I guess I'll look into Core 2 Duo. The corncern I have with dual processors is that when it comes to gaming, they won't be as good as a beefed up processor, but I guess you guys know your stuff. Which processor would you reccommend?

For the 8800GTX, would it be better to wait for DX10 to get established a bit more before rushing into a DX10 card? Just wondering. And Jesus Christ, the card I'm looking at now has 768mb Gram. That's quite an upgrade from my 128mb 5900XT. Is this much more power really necessary? Also, does nVidia make cards similar to the "All-In-Wonder" by ATI. That is, can I hook up my HDTV box to the computer, given that my TV doesn't have picture in picture, it would be better if I could browse totse and have a TV screen on there too. Not a big deal, but for an ADD kid it's a godsend.

I think 2 gigs is more than enough (I have 1 gig now), but if I'm going to be playing games like oblivion with AA turned up in 720 (maybe 1080) resolution, is there need for more ram? I hate to solve the problem by adding ram, but maybe it'll be necessary.

Also, I'm thinking I'll need atleast 750W. Also, I like in Toronto, in my parents house on the second floor. It can get 30+*C in summer, and I'm wondering what precautions I should take to beat the heat.

Other than that, do you have any other advice?

EDIT: 8800GTX go for about 700+ here. 8600+ go for about 150. Would it be smarter to just get a lower-end card for 120 bucks, and then replace it when 8800s drop in price?

EDIT2: I play my games usually at 720 or 768 resolutions. What effect is this going to have if I decide to get a card like 8800GTX or X1950. Most benchmarks are done at 2560*1600 or whatever, with the cards shining at high resolutions. Am I going to get a noticable performance boost playing at my resolution? Or should I invest in 2 good monitors and just play my games at 1080.

I would get the 8600 and wait for ATI's DX10 offering.
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†Jesus†

I wouldn't bother with RAID0 unless you are going to be doing lots of large sustained file transfers. Personally, I would get one 500gb HD over two 250s in RAID0, less power consumption, less noise, less heat, and more future proof because of the higher density. If you want killer hard driver performance get a raptor or RAID0 raptors if you do want RAID0. From what I have seen the onboard RAID controllers are fine for RAID0, I would not spend the requisite $200 on a RAID controller card unless reliability was paramount. Two 74gb raptors in RAID0 for OS and apps and then a 500gb storage drive for movies would be a killer setup. Only downside is the price on raptors.

Get whatever the best graphics card you can afford is. The best bang for buck currently is the 8800GTS 320mb. The 8800 series are DX10, but they are also the BEST DX9 cards out there. Whether or not you want to get a card with more than 320mb RAM depends on the resolution that you will play games at. Also, ATIs line of DX10 cards should be coming out very soon (a matter of weeks). Wait and see how those go. The 8600 is a decent card, and is great for decoding highdef videos (better than the 8800GTX!), it's just not spectacular for gaming.

New intel chipsets are coming out in a few weeks too, these will be compatible with intels next gen cpu code named penryn (you could get a cheap C2D now and then upgrade to penryn later). If you wait until august intel's C2D line will see another round of price cuts. AMD also has their barcelona line coming out soon.

The C2D line is definately better than the X2 line. Cost/performance wise they are about the same at stock speeds, but the C2Ds OC much better.

RAID 0 is worth doing....

raptors are over rated, get you'r self some samsung spin point P or T series, or even some seagate baracudas.