The right computer.

[argelfraster]

Im looking around for a computer that would fit my needs, but i cant seem to find a good one, so i thought i'de ask here.
I need a computer that can handle what i do: gaming, special effects, and programming, do you know any that can handle that, but dont cost a fortune?

[Harshboy]

Build it yourself

You can build a beastly gaming machine for $800 or less if you order parts from Newegg.

Here is what I built back around Christmas for $804 shipped. If you looked for promotions and good deals you could probably make a better PC and for cheaper. But those components will certainly do everything you want your PC to do.

[bicostp]

Core 2 Quad Q9550 / P45 motherboard / GeForce GTX 260 Core 216

If you shop around, you can get this and 4 to 8 gigs of RAM and a quality PSU for around $650. Just add a case and an OS.

[XCVG]

My PC has a P43 mobo, C2Q 8200, and Radeon HD4670. It's probably less than $700 CAD.

You want a Core 2 Quad in the 8XXX or 9XXX series, a P45 mobo (preferably ASUS, Gigabyte, or MSI), at least 2 and preferably 4 gig of ram. The graphics card doesn't really matter as long as it's good. I like my HD 4670. Nvidia cards are faster for the money but Radeons are cooler, consume less power, and have better video decoding/displaying. Get the best you can afford. Also get a decent power supply. Probably the most forgotten item ever.

[Harshboy]

Core 2 Quad Q9550 / P45 motherboard / GeForce GTX 260 Core 216

If you shop around, you can get this and 4 to 8 gigs of RAM for around $650. Just add a case and an OS.

Who actually buys OS's anymore? Besides Windows 7 is coming. Just run a Win7 Beta until the real thing comes out and then buy the OS -- or don't

[nevermind1534]

Who actually buys OS's anymore?

Lots of people. I just got a retail copy of vista ultimate from another forum for $50, including shipping and insurance.

[argelfraster]

im gonna go with Harshboy's idea and buy parts from newegg.com,tigerdirect.com and geeks.com

[lifeisbetterwithketchup]

My PC has a P43 mobo, C2Q 8200, and Radeon HD4670. It's probably less than $700 CAD.

You want a Core 2 Quad in the 8XXX or 9XXX series, a P45 mobo (preferably ASUS, Gigabyte, or MSI), at least 2 and preferably 4 gig of ram. The graphics card doesn't really matter as long as it's good. I like my HD 4670. Nvidia cards are faster for the money but Radeons are cooler, consume less power, and have better video decoding/displaying. Get the best you can afford. Also get a decent power supply. Probably the most forgotten item ever.

I've got a P45 mobo, E5200 (should updated to an E8400 in the summer whenever I get around to rebuilding my server), 4GB of ram and an NVidia 9600GT. Paired with an Antec P182, a SeaSonic Silencer PSU, and a LG DVD-/+RW drive, it cost me around $700 back in September. You'll probably want at least an E8400 for gaming, possibly a C2Q. 4GB of RAM should be a minimum, especially if you plan on running Vista/7. Graphics card certainly should matter, as you're interested in gaming. Don't "get the best you can afford". Get the cheapest one that will do what you want for the next 1-2 years (depending on what your graphics upgrade timetable is). Also, AFAIK, NVidia and ATI are pretty even in regards to video decoding. NVidia can do L5.1 H.264 and ATI can only do L4.1, in addition to VC1. Nvidia also has CUDA. Neither of those things probably matter to you (except maybe CUDA, as you mentioned programming, but even still it's unlikely that you'll care), so don't let the ATI/Nvidia war swing you either way. Just get what fits. Also, a quality PSU is very important. Get anything 80%+ efficiency from a quality brand. I got a SeaSonic, but other quality brands include Corsair and PC Power & Cooling (amongst others).

OS: I'd say forget the OS for now. Either chuck on old XP license on it or throw the Windows 7 RC on it. Either way, buy Windows 7 later. Don't pay for a product that will be worthless in a few months.