Request for info, relearning the latest tech.

[ZzZGuy]

Ok, I'm planning on building a new Desktop PC in 7 to 12 months time but I'm horribly behind the times.

Anyone know of a good guide for the latests and greatest PSU, CPU, GPU, MoBo, RAM, HD (maybe solid state, maybe), LCD, Sound, Cases (near silent), and after market add ons (such as heat sinks and silent case fans).

I'm asking if anyone knows of a "compact" source of information so I won't go blind searching and double checking everything I find across the net. Something like Anandtechs "High-End Buyers' Guide: May 2007" but more up to date (at least some base knowledge).

Main goals of the build
-Near silent with good air cooling (Zalman TNN's seem like a bad idea for what I want)
-Future proof (meaning 3 year down the road I can just swap out parts as needed rather then doing a rebuild)
-High end gaming (~$3000 Canadian, I'll take a performance hit for the above two goals)
-Little to no over clocking (long story)

I know it seems lazy of me asking before major research but my mind goes numb with the amount of stuff I have to relearn -edit- and finding it -edit-, some hidden gem would be nice. Note that I am not asking for you to build me a PC, but a source of info on all the options.

Thanks for any help you guys can give.

 

[mpilchfamily]

Well 7 to 12 months from now things can be allot different. So what we suggest now will be outdated by then. But get yourself a subscription to a PC enthusiest magazine. Then you'll have updates of some of the lattest tech between now and then. Thats the easy way really. Otherwise you need to start reading up on the reviews here and at other tech sites if you want to stay current.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: ZzZGuy
Ok, I'm planning on building a new Desktop PC in 7 to 12 months time but I'm horribly behind the times.

I'm asking if anyone knows of a "compact" source of information so I won't go blind searching and double checking everything I find across the net. Something like Anandtechs "High-End Buyers' Guide: May 2007" but more up to date (at least some base knowledge).

I know it seems lazy of me asking before major research but my mind goes numb with the amount of stuff I have to relearn -edit- and finding it -edit-, some hidden gem would be nice. Note that I am not asking for you to build me a PC, but a source of info on all the options.

1. "7 to 12 months"... And you're asking now... Are you kidding?
2. Things can change very much that far out.
3. You do come across as being lazy. Why not configure an XPS Dell 7-12 months down the road?
4. Chech TechReport to get an idea how to configure your Dell.

 

[ZzZGuy]

Ok fine, I guess what I want (well hoped for) it's out there.

I'll do it the long way and start from scratch one component at a time. It's been 3 years since I built my last PC and I've forgotten most of what I learned.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: Blain
1. "7 to 12 months"...
2. Things can change very much that far out.

4. Chech TechReport to get an idea how to configure an XPS Dell.

 

[Roguestar]

Just start reading tech sites, then come back and read these forums in 6 months' time.

 

[sao123]

Originally posted by: ZzZGuy
Ok fine, I guess what I want (well hoped for) it's out there.

I'll do it the long way and start from scratch one component at a time. It's been 3 years since I built my last PC and I've forgotten most of what I learned.

above all, choosing the proper motherboard will determing what you can do and how far you can upgrade:


which cpu can i upgrade to
how much ram will it hold
SLI/CF enabled
standard drive confiuration or RAID 0/1/5/10/0+1 etc

 

[DSF]

Building a computer where parts can be dropped in in three years time is a pipe dream. Machines don't really work like that anymore.

Build a sensibly priced machine in 7 to 12 months. Spend good money on things that can be reused, like the case and monitor. Don't overspend on parts that are outdated quickly, like video cards.

Any specific parts we could suggest right now will be behind the times in 12 months. The computer industry just moves too fast. Continue to keep tabs on hardware tech sites for next year and you'll be in good position when it comes time to build.

 

[sao123]

Originally posted by: DSF
Building a computer where parts can be dropped in in three years time is a pipe dream. Machines don't really work like that anymore.

Build a sensibly priced machine in 7 to 12 months. Spend good money on things that can be reused, like the case and monitor. Don't overspend on parts that are outdated quickly, like video cards.

Any specific parts we could suggest right now will be behind the times in 12 months. The computer industry just moves too fast. Continue to keep tabs on hardware tech sites for next year and you'll be in good position when it comes time to build.

3 may not be feasible at this point...
but with seemingly both AMD and intel doing a TICK TOCK strategy, a 2 year upgrade cycle is managable... if you buy at the beginning of the cycle, and even then when the next cycle has started, high end budget parts are readily avilable for cheap.

 

[kh4130]

I would check the stickied "Attention System Builders" thread in the General Hardware Forum when you are getting near build time. That thread saved me a bunch of time and headaches.