New computer

[deadly7]

So I'm looking at getting a new computer, building it with a budget from $1-2k, most preferrably on the low end of that. I haven't been keeping up-to-date in my PC parts, so I started looking up reviews on certain parts. I'm debating between AMD and Intel cores, the Core i7's look nice but are also way fucking expensive. The Phenom X4's that I saw are similarly (or better) spec'd as some of the Core i7's and were cheaper [albeit with slightly more energy usage]. SO, the starting blocks: Which processor would you recommend and why? Documents supporting your opinion would be much appreciated.

[rabbit]

You'll need to get some pricey DDR3 to make the i7 worth the cost, but that's just adding more money.  You're better off going with the Phenom and putting the money you saved from not getting the i7 into a better video card (or two less good ones in SLI or crossfire).

[Chavo]

i7 920 is reasonable priced/competitive, especially if you find a nice motherboard/RAM combo :)
I recommend 6GB expandable to 8 or 12 if you want something that's going to last a long time and handle some serious multitasking. 

Video cards are a dime a dozen and easy replaced, same with hard drives. Spend the bulk of your money on the cpu/motherboard/RAM (yes, you can upgrade RAM later but tech changes quickly and what is compatible now will probably not be on sale 3 years from now). Get a good quality power supply that fits your needs.  I'd choose a 500W Thermaltake over a 900W no-name any day :)

Don't bother with SLI/Crossfire if you aren't a supergamer.  You can't multi-monitor in those modes anyway!

Tom's is always the place to go for CPU benchmarks, Anandtech has good reviews on everything else.

[BigAznDaddy]

I recently built a new computer and I have an i7 and love it.
but yeah toms hardware is a good site to check out.
I will go home and give you a passmark test of my rig when I get home.

[deadly7]

i7 920 is reasonable priced/competitive, especially if you find a nice motherboard/RAM combo :)
I recommend 6GB expandable to 8 or 12 if you want something that's going to last a long time and handle some serious multitasking. 

A problem with the i7's that I've seen is they are *expensive*. The cheapest I saw was $289 and was out-spec'd by a $100 cheaper Phenom X4 ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674 vs. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010340343%201050744915&name=Core%20i7 ) in everything but the L3 cache.
Any motherboard I've been interested in has supported up to 24GB. How would I want to allocate the 6GB or however much I buy? All in one stick, or equally divided in 3 sticks, or equally divided in two sticks, etc..? I would think equally divided in 2 sticks for dual channel-ness, right?

Video cards are a dime a dozen and easy replaced, same with hard drives. Spend the bulk of your money on the cpu/motherboard/RAM (yes, you can upgrade RAM later but tech changes quickly and what is compatible now will probably not be on sale 3 years from now). Get a good quality power supply that fits your needs.  I'd choose a 500W Thermaltake over a 900W no-name any day :)

Don't bother with SLI/Crossfire if you aren't a supergamer.  You can't multi-monitor in those modes anyway!

Tom's is always the place to go for CPU benchmarks, Anandtech has good reviews on everything else.

I wasn't going to bother with SLI anyway. One good videocard is all I need at present, but I'm leaving my computer open for the possibility of supporting SLI. Is there something special they need to have, or just two PCIx16 slots?

[MyndFyre]

Supposedly it's now tri-channel, so you'll want to get three sticks.

[dark_drake]

Hrmm... spend it on cake!