Need Some Advice

to be perfectly honest 1000-1500 can build you a machine that will roxor your boxor. So please let me consult you in a more direct (ventrilo) manner on this purchase. I built my system for just short of 1000$ and the specs are as follows

CPU: Core i5 @ 4Ghz
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake Frio
RAM: 8GB 1600Mhz @ 8 8 8 24
Ram Cooler: Crucial Vengeance spreaders
Video: Nvidia Geforce 460GTX 1Gig Superclocked (factory overclocked)
HDD: 2TB Sata3 7200rpm 64mb Cache running Raid:0
HDD Cooler: 120mm 60cfm Thermaltake blue LED fan in the HDD rack.
Case: Thermaltake V6 Black Edition
Case Cooling: 120mm 60cfm Thermaltake in/out fans and 250mm 100cfm exaust.
PS: Antec Earthwatts 80+ Certified 650w
Mobo: MSI P55 Chipset designed for overclocking (cant remember exact model)

Not gonna lie. It is a bit on the loud side. But i have a Fan controller panel in the front panel so i can slow the fans down when im not doing heavy gaming.

This setup includes 2 front panel USB2, front panel headset jacks, front panel air intake filters, Sata3 hotswap bay on the top/front. Bottom mounting power supply so that the PS doesnt have to deal with excess case heat. PS intake has its own air filter.

I'm guessing I would use this as a base for starting from. Changes I would make is probably a different MOBO and go with a dual graphics setup. Wich would require a slightly higher end PS. I'm guessing this would sit around the 12-1300$ marker with those changes.

My benchmarks put me in the upper 30% of all results posted for Passmark.

The changes I would probably make to my setup for you is to go with an X-series chipset wich would bring you true Sata 6 and USB3 without causing a loss to your PCIe lanes. Then of course I would get 2 of those Nvidia cards in SLI or Crossfire whatever the nvidia technology is. This would result in needing a powersupply with 4 PCIe Graphics plugs (6pin or 6+2pin). I could save some money compared to my setup because when i bought mine the Sandybridge i5 had not been released. Sandybridge is actually better so we would be great there.

Definately talking about an overclocked rig so you would need to make sure to clean the fans every 4-6 months or risk blowing your shit up. Also suggest Open Hardware Monitor so you can keep an eye on temps while overclocking. Myself or Bacardiman will be more then happy to walk you through these steps.

I will charge you 100$ for hardware setup. 50$ for OS installation*. 50$ for Overclocking to optimal settings**.

All services come with no warranty expressed or implied. After initial setup any and all technical support or warranty information must be handled through the manufacturer of the individual parts by you. I will however offer you 1 hour of free phone support once the computer arrives at your house to assist with final setup. This support will have to conform to my scheduling needs. I will also only support those services rendered. (EG: I will not support OS if I did not install the OS). Further support beyond 1 hour will be subject to my discretion, and additional fees may apply.

*You must have purchased a legal operating system, otherwise Kubuntu 10.04LTS will be installed with Wine pre-configured.

**By accepting overclocking configuration you accept the risks involved with overclocking may prolong the receipt of your newly configured PC due to hardware malfunction and the requirement to RMA said hardware to the manufacturer. In the rare event that the manufacturer may not allow RMA of said hardware you accept financial liability to replace that hardware. Please be aware that I am well versed in this subject and the chances of problems are almost non-existent.

Finally I, Jason Steigerwald absolve myself of any and all financial liability resulting from any services rendered. By agreeing to have me perform these tasks you agree to these terms.

Please also be aware that overclocking will increase the cost of hardware due to the need of additional cooling required for such operations. Also be aware that my pre-quote included these modifications so I am still confident that I can hit the 12-1300$ marker and overclock your machine. However the 12-1300$ was a pre-quote and not a guarantee. We must consult in more depth before a final hardware price can be established. I will PM you my telephone number.