go windows 7 - more stable - less bugs - more compatible with most software
2500 is a lot - check new egg if you are in the US -
like this system -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229476you can upgrade the extra ram and drive you want and still come in under 2500.
It's cheaper if you build yourself - but a site like
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/isn't too much more expensive.
go intel -
Intel outperforms AMD in single thread performance which is important to FPS type software and better for media. That's for the CPU -
For the video card - I prefer Nvidia - but it's debatable as many people have nice things to say about the AMD video cards. - this is where a big chunk of the computer cost will go
ASUS is a great motherboard - but MSI won me over!
If you are not planning on overclocking, Phantek is the best air cooler on the market now - and you can overclock with it as well -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835709004- I'm pushing 4ghz @ avg 45c which is great for a 4770k which runs hotter than other cpus -
you need a case that will fit it though, because it's pretty big - ( most new mid and full cases have space ) - and you need low profile ram because it overshadows the ram slots - something like
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231606 Watercooling is risky because a - you risk leaks which can damage your whole computer - B - you have more potential points of breakdown - the water pump can go, the radiator can leak, the hoses can leak - and their life span is shorter - so eventually it WILL fail mainly because of the water pump.
Water cooling is mainly for overclockers - most of the pre-fab water coolers are novelties and if you are going to go water cooler ...get a serious cooler like koolance - which is much pricier than the pre-fabs and they are custom build it yourself only.. - but they are less risky than pre-fabs, more efficient and their parts are much better in quality.
☯🐉
"To define Tao is to defile it" - Lao Tzu
Edited
11 Years Ago by
planetstardragon