I have been trying to gather info here & on other sites about what kind of rig to setup .Just as I think I'm gettin' a handle on specs I read something ( on the same site )that contradicts what I read 3 pgs. ago .MAN AM I LOST I want to run games ,cad programs ,Paint Shop Pro ,movies . I don't need a speed demon but I want something that will render pics & 3d drawings in less time than it takes to make a pot of coffee ,& be able to play a movie without it stuttering or the screen freezing mobo= dual core ,upgradeable to quad when prices drop (if needed) ?(I read something about the mobo needing to be version 2.0 compatible on intel socket lga775 but that socket T 775 won't be compatible with quads)? I was concidering one of the online vendors like tigerdirect , Ibuypowerpc , cyberpower , etc until I read the thread about systemax . I've tried doing multiple searches over the last week till my eyes went buggy but just can't seem to filter out the usefull from the raveings of madmen :)Please Help Jack "Ever look into the eye of a dragon? Nay, of course you haven't. You're still breathin"' From: The lost art of Sarcasm by: Finnedaerus the Mage

The problem is you're apparently looking in forums for answers instead of consulting the "experts". Try these: http://www.anandtech.com/ http://www.digital-daily.com/ http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/ http://www.legionhardware.com/ http://www.techpowerup.com/ http://www.tomshardware.com/ http://www.tweaktown.com/index.html http://www.xbitlabs.com/

Consider budget and skill level and needs. You can buy a computer that will do all you want and more for under $600 already built with a warranty. You can build your own custom computer but my experience has been that you won't be able to anticipate what the state of the art will be more than 1-2 years into the future. And, you will pay high prices now for what will probably be much cheaper in 6 months.

I'm not worried about state of the art , just upgrade ability IF some new program comes along that wont run fast enuf for me on the dual core . I don't need to build my own ,I am just leery about the stuff best-buy & circuit-city sell for around $7-800 being upgradeable . That is why I am trying to do some research before I buy ,so I can understand what I am looking for. "Ever look into the eye of a dragon? Nay, of course you haven't. You're still breathin"' From: The lost art of Sarcasm by: Finnedaerus the Mage