In the spring of 2009 me and my younger brother decided to build a computer.

My brother just wanted to experience building one (as he wasn't much of a PC gamer), the rig would be mine but we wanted to build it together.

We actually took a neat class that was 100 bucks and was a 2 day course.  The first day we spent learning how to build a computer.  Then he allowed us a week to decide on the specifcs we wanted for our computer.  After giving him the list he would use his resources to get the computer parts for the same price the stores would buy them at.  Overall we only had to play $1,100 for the following.

Windoes Vista 64-Bit

Intel Core i7 CPU (920 @ 2.67GHz (8CPU's), ~2.8 GHz)

NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 (x2)

6 GB's RAM, 500GB Hard Drive

Since then the only things I've upgraded is the OS, now Windows 7 Pro 64-bit, and the hard drive to 1TB cause I make Youtube videos via Fraps, and anyone with Fraps knows how much memory the uncompressed footage of Fraps takes.

This has lasted me for a long time.  Now with Skyrim, my computer is kinda at its limit (with the 30+ graphics mods I have installed).  And it's only going to get harder from here on out.

This fall I want upgrade my GPU as it is my most needed upgrade.  I want to get something that's going to last for about 2 years.  Looking at my options and my budget (cause I have the Wii U to worry about as well ;p) I think a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 should do the trick.  If anyone thinks otherwise please do tell! Currently it's priced in the low $400's.

Now I know next to nothing about how the market of GPU's.  When do GPU's have price drops usually?  I expect to buy this at $350-ish by Fall, but it would be neat if it was more around $300.

Also next year I plan to upgrade my CPU.  From what I can remember the motherboard can only work with CPU's of certian chipsets.  So most likely I will need to get a new motherboard as well.  I know nothing about what is a good CPU though (other than I7's are the best), and I'm the type that doesn't want to overcloak anything cause I'd rather things last.  Any suggestions for a new CPU/motherboard that will last but isn't bleeding edge top end?

I have been suggested things like the i7-3820 @ 3.6 GHz and the i7-2700k @ 3.5 GHz but again know nothing about them (minus that they're around $300).

A thank in advance to any of you computer whiz's with the know how of the market. :3

An i7-3820@3.6GHz + GTX580 should play just about everything nicely for the next 2 years and will easily max out Skyrim, so I'd say go for that.

Also would an upgrade to 12 GB's of RAM be reasonable next year?

To be honest I'd just get a new graphics card or two. I doubt your CPU would limit games too much. The vast majority of games don't use more than 4 threads and you've already got an 8 thread CPU. Maybe overclock the CPU instead? No idea how well it overclocks.

What resolution do you play at?

Like Scoobes said, you don't really need to upgrade your CPU. GPU wise, I'd say go for the GTX 680 or 580. The 580 might get cheaper.

If you really need that much.

What would require me to upgrade from 6 GB to 12 GB?

Depends on what you do. I have 6 in mine, plus my gpu. The most demanding game I have is Fallout 3; and on Ultra I use ~2.5.

K

I know Skyrim with all my mods is about 3.5 G's of RAM

I'll wait then to upgrade my RAM.

Nice to see my CPU is still considered good even today.

1680 x 1050