Hi all,

I have done this before and gotten some wonderful feedback and computing advice from the VGC community.

We're about to purchase a new computer.  Budget is $1500AUD and we're using the following website:

http://shop.techbuy.com.au/custom-pc.asp

If you have a moment, some PC knowledge and some time I'd greatly appreciate your help.  Go through the customizable options, fiddle around and give me your recommendation.

Some limitations and necessary inclusions:

- Must include Win 7 (64 Bit)

- Must include Wireless networking option/internal memory card reader

- Must include Office Home and Student

- Must include 1TB HDD 7200rpm

- No monitor is required

If you know of other great deals easily accessible within Eastern Australia (online or brick and mortar) I am happy to listen, but we've experience with the website and find them to be reliable and consistent. 

I am far from a PC expert and in particular know little about AMD systems.  I would need as much power as possible, am keen to have plenty of fast RAM, play games at the best quality possible and would love a fast CPU for some video editing and data-compiling.  Having said that, I know that once the software etc comes out of it I am playing with around $1100AUD which doesn't buy the best of the best.

All help would be appreciated

Edit:  I know AMD systems tend to be cheaper.  If you have ideas for a cheaper system that included one of the monitors offered on the site I could go to $1600AUD.  Current available monitor is 22inch Dell with (I think) 1440*900 resolution.

It's not the vibrant PC community it once was

for American users: 1500 AUD = 1500 USD but australians pay more for everything (its called the f australians policy). 

Umm you have plently of cash. 

Umm i recomend you dont bother with MS office and save your self 100s by downloading Open Office, its free and currently using it, its basically MS office for free. Its endosed by the guys who made Java so its good stuff. check it out tho. 

I recomend you buy the parts seperate and save your self 100s in put together fees. its not hard and all you need is an flash light and an screw drive and some screws for the mother board. And watch and few online videos and read the instructions and its very easy. I did it and the only problem i encounted was the screws which i had to buy and rasing the motherboard but it was nothing. 

I got my stuff from centrecom in Melbourne, they are pretty good but there are other places. 

I would say: 

1. Core i7 processor (if you really then power go top range) but if you only want gaming then Core i5 i've heard is good for gaming, but i use an core i7 because i run heavy duty programs and its runs well. Should cost around 300 dollars for an i7 unless you want more then around 350-400 dollars 

2. 8GB ram: 200 dollars 

3. GPU: spend around 300-500 dollars in that department, AMD HD Radeon series are good and are an cheaper option then nvidia 

4. if you want speed, split your HDD into 2 500 GB and RAID them, RAID increases your operating speeds by spliting the files over two HDD. No more than 50-75 dollars there, but depends on the HDD.

5. Case: Aluminum: dont spend any more than 100 dollars, and make sure there are some fans. Just use the one you have if its good enough. 

6. Power Supply. I dont know there, research your parts and add up the power and go an bit over so if you do upgrade you dont need an power supply, more than likely you can use the one you already have. 

And with the networking you have to look carefully at the Motherboard, find the one you want and make sure when getting an mother its compatiable with your CPU and RAM. Or you can always find an PCI card that has wireless networking or an usb one. 

they are my pointers but dont take my word for it. Simple tips i can provide:

1. Dont buy Pre made: You are looking at paying twice to three times the price if you buy from dell or some places, its far cheaper to search around. 

2. Do your research: Plan your stuff you are going to buy, check everything, then search for the best deals. 

3. OEM MS Windows 7. Go to Ebay you can get one for 300 dollars off RRP: its the real deal but its the one MS supplies to sellers to pre install into there computers. 

4. Dont buy what you dont need. Check what your requirements are and meet them for an 12 month period. trying to set yourself for the long haul wastes your money because you computer will be outdated in 18 months. 

Good Luck, take your time.

Thanks for that.

I desperately want to build my own system, but I just don't trust myself.  If it was my own money maybe, but it is a family members.  I have learned my lesson with purchasing pre-builts.  But it comes down to finding people to build it for me.  I have looked around and the website I linked seems to do it as cheap or more cheap than any others, with good customization options.

What GPU's would you recommend?  If I was to go AMD for CPU's what sorts are good do you know?

well you post on monday morning for EU and monday dawn for US... don't expect much for 1-2 days ^^

starcraft = fail

Somebody call disolitude!!

currently AMD is far behind in the CPU department, Intel core i3 scores way higher then the best amd has to offer. 

Trust your self its so not harder than what you think, watch some tutorials 

How long do you plan on using this build before upgrading? Honestly, you really don't need to spend much to get a high end pc nowadays. You could easily build a super awesome computer for under $700, maybe even $600. I just built a pretty good one for under $450 (not including the OS & Case). 

Where did you hear that? AMD's Phenom 2 cpus are awesome. AMD cpu's are only a fraction of the cost of an i7 cpu, but still comparable. I'll admit i7s are better, but not nearly as much as you make it out to be. The price difference is far from worth it IMO.