Nice Gaming Computer; Big Budget

[Ansar]

So, my cousin's father is pretty loaded (rich uncle, lol) and so, he's getting a new computer. The budget is $3000. My cousin wants a really nice and powerful computer for his games. What do you guys recommend for specs?

 

[GoodGame]

IDK, triple-SLi video cards of the most recent ones?

Not sure where the quad vs. dual debate is these days, but I'd assume dual would be preferable if this is strictly to be for gaming, as opposed to gaming, video, office, etc..

Probably look for a mobo that will give 6 to 8 GB of RAM, and take a look at where DDR3 RAM is at vs. DDR2 specs.

 

[kuukkeli]

With that kind of a budget I'd take some i7 processor with high end mobo, 6GB of RAM and 2x HD4890 in CrossFire. Add whatever drives you need, a good and silent PSU and a case with plenty of room and good airflow. And some good 24" monitor. I don't think that'll cost even close to $3000 though - it sounds like ridiculously high amount to spend on computer these days.

 

[Zelig]

Is this counting peripherals?

For $3000, no peripherals:

CD/DVD - Samsung 22X DVD Combo Drive
Chassis - Cooler Master HAF 932 Full Tower Chassis
HDD - Intel X25-M 80GB SSD SATA Drive
HDD Adapter - ICY DOCK 2.5 to 3.5 HDD converter
HDD2 - Seagate 7200.12 1TB SATA Drive
GPU - 2x BFG GeForce GTX 295
Memory - 2x Super Talent Chrome Series 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 CAS 7-7-7-24 1800Mhz (Triple-Channel) (US)
Motherboard - MSI Eclipse Plus ATX Motherboard
CPU - Intel Core i7 920 Quad Core CPU
OS - Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit
PSU - PC Power and Cooling Silencer 910w ATX PSU

Keep in mind that gaming on anything less than a 30" 2560x1600 monitor is pretty much a waste here, which will run you another $1000.

 

[Ansar]

Peripherals can be included.

 

[Zelig]

Well, my personal inclination would be to get a rockin' monitor, the Dell 3008WFP runs around $2000, leaving about $1000 for the rest of the computer.

Or for something more balanced, $1000 gets you dual 24" monitors, $500 gets you some respectable audio, leaving $1500 for the rest of the computer.

 

[Ansar]

I don't need to max it out, you know...

Just want to know what a nice gaming computer needs.

 

[GoodGame]

I don't need to max it out, you know...

Just want to know what a nice gaming computer needs.

Easiest method is to look at the recommend specs for the games the user will be playing and look for components a little over that (software publishers usually underestimate specifications a wee bit). After that you can take a hard look at the performance for price values of components in that range and adjust for performance or price. With computer components it usually works out that the more you pay over the average-priced parts, the more the performance for price ratio decreases, until you're getting like 5-10% extra performance for like the next $100-150.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Core i7 920, 12GB RAM, nice motherboard with support for triple-SLi. Two GTX 285's in SLi -- with option to get a 3rd. Save the money and buy some nice monitors or a nice case instead.