need a computer for under $1k

So I'm going to college next year, and I 'm going to need a new computer. My parents are giving me $1k for everything, and I'd like to know what my best options are. I'll be using it to play games, program, and word process. I'd like it to be fairly easy and inexpensive to keep up to date for the next 4 years, and I don't mind building my own computer if I could save a decent amount of money.
Thanx

you don't just save a decent amount of money building your own PC, you save HUGE amounts.

Does this said PC need to include a monitor, keyboard, mouse? It doesn't need to include an operating system, as you can buy that your your university for a significant discount. Answer those questions, and I can set you up.

Build your own, and you will save a lot. If need be, you can pick up an OEM Operating System for much cheaper than a retail box.

don't need a keyboard or mouse, may need a monitor though

I would go to New Egg, it is the best place to buy any computer equipment IMO. If you want something already built and as a package start here New Egg Desktops

Or if you would like to buy each piece and put it together yourself (which is what I would recommend) start here New Egg Click on Computer Hardware and pick all the parts from there.

Good Luck,

Krat

If you can build your own, it shouldn't cost much to put one together. Go down to your local computer store, just buy the parts. DO NOT HAVE GEEK SQUAD HELP. Those quacks charge $900 to format a <insert expletive starting with F> computer.

For you to suggest buying PC parts from Worst Buy is blasphemy... they have 1000% markups on their CABLES for god's sake.... I used to work there a long time ago. Do not, under any circumstance, ever shop there. The only thing Best Buy has for cheap is on their private employee auction system which I have access to.

Metroid, it will not be easy to get a decent monitor on that 1000 dollar budget. My advice is to build the system for 1000 dollars, and then worry about the monitor with money you save up over the summer or something to that effect.

Here are my part suggestions:

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103252
May not have the performance crown right now, but certainly has the price crown. This will outperform an Intel processor of equivalent price, and allows you to get a cheaper motherboard/graphics card combination to maintain your budget.

Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813136044
Has rave reviews, cheaper then nVidia Intel counterparts. Great choice.

GPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814103050
Great price, amazing performance for the price. Two of these in Crossfire = great! You can always buy a 2nd one down the road and upgrade it to Crossfire.

Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811144184
(cool looking in my opinion, cheap, well made, and BIG with plenty of room for stuff to breath, can't beat it. If you don't like it, pick something in the same price range, but make sure it is ATX Full Tower, you will be sorry if you go with a midtower)

PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006
Great powersupply for this build, great output, Crossfire supported, lots of connections, room to upgrade for the future provided you don't go overboard.

Drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827129020
Reliable, quiet, and CHEAP. Can't beat it. You only need one drive, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

HDD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148262
Keyword... CHEAP. Lot's of storage space, single platter, quiet, cheap, reliable.

RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146565
Because of you budget, go with 2GBs (aka one order of this) This RAM is reliable, easy to deal with, and CHEAP! I only use crucial these days, because it is so rock solid and amazing compared to everyone else.

Total price with shipping included..... drum roll please!
Grand Total: $955.67

This PC will play Crysis on medium to high settings, it will easily play GW2 when it comes out, and has lots of room for upgrades down the road. Can't beat that!

A case that is good doesn't have to be expensive.

Some examples: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119077

Or, if you're crazy about Airflow: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119152

Don't have to spend a lot of cash to have a nice effective case. It's also preference, and I recommend against ATI unless you surely want to deal with problems, Nvidia has a cheap lineup of nice cards now too atm.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130082

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130318

Don't see the point in going with a Tri-Core either, if you're going to step over a Dual Core, just go Quad.

And if you go with an Intel Chipset, you can get an E8400, decent dual core imo. Or even a decent quad core - if you save money on the case *looks up* you can afford to get a different processor, and a Motherboard of the same price.

But hey.. whatever works just think long and decide throughly about your decisions, and do research and read reviews on parts.

Also, sorry Rahja, but I disagree with your statements about Midtower, I can pack a tank into my Midtower Lian Li PC-7B Plus II which Is 80$ atm. It works wonders, and by all means IS enough space, the only reason you might become cramped is if you use SLI, but even then. I could fit a nice SLI config into my case.

In all honesty, you don't have to spend near 1000$ for an awesome rig. I can probably dig up a really nice setup. I'm not saying that what Rahja stated isn't any good, he's posted some system suggestions that I've favored (but that's just me, I'm a minority), but yeah. I'll try and dig up some stuff, I didn't spend near 1000$ building my rig and it can take on just about anything just fine.

Well, the case is what you see, and I think having a great looking case is pretty important.

And yes, midtowers may "have room", but you lose valuable airflow using them. Full towers have plenty of room, have the ability to be upgraded, and then have tons of room for air flow without heat buildup.

Why an AMD? Why a Tri Core? Price, price, price. It isn't just the CPU that is cheap, but the motherboard and graphics card. If you want a cheap gaming system, you go pure AMD. That is a fact. And no, AMD has no issues, and ATi cards are performing very well atm. It is unfair to say AMD is not competitive. They may not have the edge on performance, but they do still make a good product that performs well. This bias that people have started to develop against them has got to stop. There is no substantial proof from any creditable site that AMD is not competitive.

And I can tell you, considering my position with nvidia, that the 3870 is a competitive card, especially with the cards you posted.

I disagree. Before giving Nvidia a chance again, i used Ati cards for almost 5 years with little to no problems. In only 5 months of owning an nvidia card again(since my last, the geforce2) i've seen more problems and annoyances than most of the time on Ati cards. Also, One area where ATI clearly wins over nvidia is on the driver front. Ati actually releases non-beta's more than once every 6 months.

However, if we must sadly turn our backs on AMD entirely, then here are some Intel/nVidia alternatives. nVidia graphics chips are far more power hungry, so you might think about upping the power supply.

CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115038
Fast, power efficient, great performer, and CHEAP.

GPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130318
Guaranteed to please, great performer, great price.

Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188026
Considering my position at nVidia, I am biased. So sue me. I won't use Intel chipsets in any build... I know what I design is good, I use what I design. Thanks.

Oh, I am under NDA regarding this rumored G200 business. But, you can always bet on nVidia for innovation in graphics card design and ability. Whenever our next product launches, know that you will always have the option to upgrade at that time.

I have an AMD setup right now, it works fine.

But I am biased towards Nvidia purely, never liked ATI, had too many friends who had problems with them to trust ATI.

Well, as I stated above, my bias toward nVidia comes with employment. But... AMD is a very innovative company, and they make a great product that keeps me employed trying to compete.

Profession: nVidia Project - wow, what exactly is it you do, Rajah?

I am not at liberty to say. I work on various projects in designed fabrication processes for GPUs, but that might already be saying too much. Hope I didn't just breach NDA, I never really bothered to read the whole thing. I think I am safe.

Think of it this way. The move to different fab processes is my main work. The G92 move was facilitated by what I do.
Speaking of my profile, I just looked at it... my bday is 86, not 87... grr.....

Hehe - big mistake. That's like being at a cocktail party and mentioning that you're a doctor

Man, I must be a geek. Realising I've been conversing with an nVidia guru made me feel almost like I'd just met Jimmy Page!

[edit] Don't worry about it - my birthday's 63

LOL! Well, I am not a programmer. Yes, I know ASM like I know english, but drivers that does not make by itself. Plus, I am not a software engineer.

I can answer questions regarding the actual silicon on released products, but troubleshooting OS issues isn't my thing (I can always tap the corporate directories, but your manufacturer also has access to that)

My field of expertise focuses more on nano electrical physics, not CAE like a lot of hardware engineers. Think of it this way, in a car analogy... I design the pistol chambers and block of the engine, they design everything else around it.

I am the one who works out design processes on processor fabs. (I looked up the bullet points of my NDA, I am allowed to say more then I thought)

Wow, thanks for all of the information! I'm not sure on Intel v AMD, but I'll prolly go with the Nvidia card as others have recommended that one as well.

Anybody know if this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131232
would be a good motherboard?
Want to save money so I can have a bit more RAM :3

Looks like a solid board, and I've heard good things about Asus on top of that.

But as you know, it is an Intel platform, so you will have to go with an Intel Processor if you do buy that. Just remember to read reviews.