I need a new computer

[pauld13]

looking to buy a new destop..currently have a dell 8250..am pretty happy with dell..trying to decide between the new x58 chipset w/core i7 920 or 940...or the new x48 chipset with core 2 Q9550 quad..I configured the 2 pc's an xps studio and an xps 430..price is pretty even..or should I splurge on the xps 730x..or should I skip dell altogether..any suggestions on other systems?
Thank you

[alfroogy]

My advice is to skip dell altogether you can build a much better pc for the same price. What sort of budget do you have by the way?

Here's a sample i7 build
X58 mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128361
$328.99 A mate of mine has this one and it overclocks like mad.

intel i7 cpu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202
$294.99 I went for the i7 920 for you because IMO the 940 is not worth the extra money

triple channel memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231236
$264.99 I chose Gskill because new egg doesn't have the mushkin triple channel kits which overclock much better but these should do you just fine.

Graphics
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125233
$529.99 The 4870x2 is the current king of the hill as far as graphics are concerned

Psu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139007
$259.99 Corsair1000w because corsair make some of the best psus on the market.

Hdd
up to you but 500gb seems to be the sweet spot as far as price per gig goes these days.

As for case that really to you. For a mid tower case though I would recommend the antec 900 or the coolermaster 690.
For a full tower I would definitely recommend the coolermaster HAF but if that's not to your liking the antec 1200 comes close second.

The rest I'm sure you can recycle from your old pc.

[pauld13]

Thank you..I was thinking of building one..I have never before however I am very comfortable working inside the box..I think I have changed every component with the exception of the mobo...budget around 1300..so many decisions though..such as...Vista or xp..home or ultimate..32bit or 64..I don't think the 64 will support my soundblaster x-fi card...
will the i7 support nvidia I have a GTX280...psu 500, 600, 700 or more
300gb 10,000rpm WD..or 2x500gb..if I go the 2x500 route which config is better raid 0 or raid 1...I have a sony blue ray drive and a dvd burner so that saves a few bucks..any other suggestions..thanks