New Computer for around $1000

Birthday time is rollin around and I finally convinced parents it's time for a new computer. Whats the best possible PC I can get for around $1000, not including any peripherals. Or, would it be better to build my own (if so, I would have to buy a new operating system, which is ~300 dollars out of the budget, so I was shying away from that). Also, is it going to be worth it to wait till November to buy a new comp (as in will I be able to get a significantly better computer for the cash)?

Wait till intels new processors come out later this year.
Build your own if you dont mind taking the time. you will save quite a bit in most cases, and its a lot of fun.

Vista premium on newegg...222$. Might be an odd version tho, but it looked normal to me. Theres so many vista products for each line.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116469

Check with your school/work before buying an OS
Microsoft frequently offers discounted software.

Can't you install the operating system with the disks that came with your old computer? Or do I know even less than I thought?

you cout do that.... with windows 2000. ever since windows XP, you need a valid UNIQUE CD key for each computer, unless you have a server license... which costs a few thousand dollars.

First and foremost, better to build your own.

Vista Home Premium 64 bit OEM for $100. Enough said.

Maybe. I'm assuming you refer waiting till November because that might be when Core i7 is released?
Core i7 2.66Ghz = ~$300
X58 Motherboard = ~$250
DDR RAM = ~$200
Based on those estimates, you wouldn't have enough left over for the GPU, PSU, DVD, case etc. Probably better to get a computer now with a Core 2 Duo and better graphics then wait and have less to spend on graphics.

I would be looking at something like:
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 = $170
Gigabyte X48 DQ6 = $196
ATI HIS 4870 1GB = $300
4GB OCZ 800 = $73 - $30 rebate
Corsair HX 620 = $170 - $25 rebate
CM 690 = $80
Pioneer DVD = $30
Vista Home Premium 64bit OEM = $100
Total = $1119 - $55 rebates = $1064
Could easily swap 1GB 4870 to 512Mb if your gaming below 1920 by 1200 resolution. Other adjustments can be made to get it under $1000 too.

You have several options available.

- If your old computer is not too old and has a useable ATX case, you could do a "major" upgrade to it. That is, replace the motherboard, cpu, RAM, video card, and power supply with better stuff. You can still use the old Hard drive (but you could also get a newer, larger SATA drive), the optical drive, keyboard, mouse, etc.
- you could start from scratch and build an entire system from the ground up.
- you could start with a "bare bones" system - usually consisting of mobo, cpu, power supply, case and maybe RAM, - and add your choice of video, hard drive, etc. (best choice for those who want to build their own, but are new to the process.)
- you could buy a complete pre-built system.

Depending upon where you buy parts and/or systems, building a completely new system isn't necessarily cheaper or better than buying a pre-built unit. Reusing part of the old system allows you to spend more money on the parts that count.
The OS should be useable on the new system. I know MS has all these rules about using the OS on only one computer - blah, blah, legal jargon, blah,blah - but in my experience, the OS (XP) just installs and runs on the new system and at worst (if validation concerns you) you may need to call MS support to tell them you "upgraded" your system. (Main thing is that you only use the OS on ONE system.)

Edit - P.S. I don't think waiting for November is particularly useful for gamers. Most (if not all) current games are not so CPU intensive that the CPU matters beyond a certain point - provided you get a higher end Core 2 Duo or Quad. (or Phenom if money is tighter.)

and don't forget... the 4870 was just dethroned (didn't see that coming...)

Hello moto:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130398

If you have the original OS disc or even a restore disc (with XP) and a valid COA then you can install your current OS on a new computer. To satisfy the letter of the law you may not have it installed on more than one computer at a time...

i wouldn't call it dethroned just yet. the GTX260 core 216 can match the 4870, but does not surpass it.

If you consider that it bests it in over 40% of the tests, ties it in 50%, and the other 10% loses only slightly, I would say it dethroned the 4870. It also runs substantially cooler.

I didn't forget. I suggested the 4870 and a X48 motherboard. X48 supports CrossfireX, leaving an upgrade path down the line if you nab a 2nd hand 4870. If you want to go down the GTX 260 216 Core route, choose a nVidia based motherboard.

Of an x58 SLi enabled Intel board or nForce board.

the new GTX260 is more expensive than the HD4870

yeah, but the price difference has lowered, so ATI needs to counter that and offer me a nice shiny 4870 for oh say...... $100??? lol

the 4870 typically sells for $270. throw in some rebates and you'll see it at around $240.

ATI can technically always beat nvidia in price with the current generation, simply because they have much higher yields and lower manufacturing costs.

My current rig is
$100 e7200/ecs mobo (frys basic mobo, but it works fine)
$20 2 gig Corsair 6400 (Frys $50 with $30 MIR)
$110 Visiontek HD4850 Video Card (Just bought from frys)
$120 Corsair HX620 powersupply (bought 2 years ago)
$80 Antec P180 Midtower case (still a very nice case imo)
$50 XP Pro (promo deal from like 5 years ago)
Several HD's that I got good deals on.

I can play most games at nice settings on my old dell ws 1680x1050 res. If you already have everything and only need the vid card, ram, cpu & mobo, buy a combo and grab one of the many DD2 deals going.