Looking for help with choosing new system. I'm not a most knowledgeable person on the subject and additionally language barrier comes into picture (both with techno language and english itself ).
Typical use would be for gaming, web browsing, storing digital media (pictures, movies, songs ... not in mass quantities though) in that order.
One important, for me, aspect would be good technical support from manufacturer. For example, I had rather bad experience with Dell tech support in past, as most is outsoursed and 1) its hard to get to live person during off hours when I typically am able to solve my computer problems , 2) can barely communicate with their staff while both of us speak english with heavy accent.
Due to lack of time and knowledge putting the system together by myself is not an option, so looking for suggestion on what manufacturer can build me a custom system that would require minimum maintenance on both hardware and software yet in case on breakdown does have decent tech support.
Some basic components like DVD player plus DVDRV, decent size HD ect, are obvious to me, but I would appreciate suggestions on mostly all other components their pros and cons.
My budget would be around $3000 - $3500 .. flexible if necessary to get something really worth it.
Specifically Id be looking for input on :
- display : 20inch 24inch or something bigger possibly? what manufacturer ? model ?
- processor : is 3GHz adequate for gaming purposes or should I look for something with more power? (EQ will probably be the most graphics heavy game that would be played on it)
-RAM : how much and which type ? 1 Gig faster or 2 Gig slower ?
-video card : ATI or NVidia ? also which model ?
-OS : WinXP home, WinXP Pro or new WinXP media center (sp?), any other must-have software like anti virus, spyware removal ect ( McAffe or Norton ?)
-additional gadgets : TV tuner, media cards readers, anything else worth plugging in and why ?
I've read some good remarks about Tiger Direct but one really needs tho know tech specifics to be able to put entire system together at their website. Are there other companies out there more oriented at casual computer buyer ? And if possible would anyone be able to help with choosing components from site more tech oriented yet one that can put the system together ?
Probably theres tons of additional consideration that should be taken into account, but those questions is all I can think of atm.
Ill appreciate any and all help/input... thank you in advance