Core i7 2500, 8gb ram (recommend 4gb modules), GeForce 560. Asus does an excellent line in motherboards.
I just built a screaming demon of a machine that's almost completely Asus. I ended up with a $2000 price tag, though.
The next question is - to overclock or not to overclock. If you want to OC, you need the 2500k or 2600k processor, which adds about $100 price tag, but is unlocked. Mine, with out-of-the-box settings, is running consistently and stably at 4.3ghz (it's a 3.4ghz chip which boosts to 3.8 stock).
If you're willing to spend money on your CPU cooler, cut out the mid-range crap and get a Corsair H100. It's like watercooling without the suck.
So, to put this in more linear order
Motherboard - Asus p8z68 series - Amazing power handling circuitry, bluetooth onboard, good brand, latest z68 chipset has some interesting features.
http://www.newegg.com/Pro...spx?Item=N82E16813131786
CPU - Intel Core i7 2500 or 2600, 2500k or 2600k if overclocking.
Memory - Corsair pack with heat sinks. Heat sinks are good, and the minor price premium is worth it, IMO. 2 packs puts you at ~$100, 16gb, no upgrades for quite a while.
http://www.newegg.com/Pro...spx?Item=N82E16820233180
Video - Asus GTX560 - Asus carries the same overbuilt power system and excellent cooling system design over to the 'low end' of the current line of GeForce video cards. Add $100 for more performance and more card to go with the 570, or add $250 to go bug nuts crazy on the 580 (I have the 570 - I have lots of happy)
http://www.newegg.com/Pro...spx?Item=N82E16814121425
Hard Drives - You're on your own. Do you want an SSD + HDD combo? A single HDD? A single SSD? An HDD RAID? Intel Smart Response Caching via SSD for your HDD?
Case - http://www.lowes.com/pd_6...62_0__?productId=3195989
REAL MEN BUILD THEIR OWN. HRUAAAAGH!
OK, seriously, I have nothing to contribute to case. I'm using the same lian-li I've had for almost seven years. http://i.imgur.com/AKWQE.jpg
Tom's Hardware is good. I also read HardOCP. I REALLY like their review style.Wire Geek - Burning the weak and trampling the dead since 1979
I just built a screaming demon of a machine that's almost completely Asus. I ended up with a $2000 price tag, though.
The next question is - to overclock or not to overclock. If you want to OC, you need the 2500k or 2600k processor, which adds about $100 price tag, but is unlocked. Mine, with out-of-the-box settings, is running consistently and stably at 4.3ghz (it's a 3.4ghz chip which boosts to 3.8 stock).
If you're willing to spend money on your CPU cooler, cut out the mid-range crap and get a Corsair H100. It's like watercooling without the suck.
So, to put this in more linear order
Motherboard - Asus p8z68 series - Amazing power handling circuitry, bluetooth onboard, good brand, latest z68 chipset has some interesting features.
http://www.newegg.com/Pro...spx?Item=N82E16813131786
CPU - Intel Core i7 2500 or 2600, 2500k or 2600k if overclocking.
Memory - Corsair pack with heat sinks. Heat sinks are good, and the minor price premium is worth it, IMO. 2 packs puts you at ~$100, 16gb, no upgrades for quite a while.
http://www.newegg.com/Pro...spx?Item=N82E16820233180
Video - Asus GTX560 - Asus carries the same overbuilt power system and excellent cooling system design over to the 'low end' of the current line of GeForce video cards. Add $100 for more performance and more card to go with the 570, or add $250 to go bug nuts crazy on the 580 (I have the 570 - I have lots of happy)
http://www.newegg.com/Pro...spx?Item=N82E16814121425
Hard Drives - You're on your own. Do you want an SSD + HDD combo? A single HDD? A single SSD? An HDD RAID? Intel Smart Response Caching via SSD for your HDD?
Case - http://www.lowes.com/pd_6...62_0__?productId=3195989
REAL MEN BUILD THEIR OWN. HRUAAAAGH!
OK, seriously, I have nothing to contribute to case. I'm using the same lian-li I've had for almost seven years. http://i.imgur.com/AKWQE.jpg
Tom's Hardware is good. I also read HardOCP. I REALLY like their review style.Wire Geek - Burning the weak and trampling the dead since 1979