Also Here's a good guide on overclocking the Intel Core I7's, and there is also a link on overclocking the Sandybridge in case you decide to wait for the new motherboards:My link

Wow that is a comphrensive i7/SB Ocing guide! Hopefully I can use that one when I do my SB build

Thanks for the info. AHHHHH! I dont know what to do! Build a computer, or buy a prebuilt. I would like to have my computer built, but my family (I am 15, everything has to filter through them) says that paying someone to build you a computer is 'unacceptable'. My parents have compared it to saying that you are going to get a real, Homebuilt light aircraft kit, then hiring someone else to build it for you. I am new-ish to the in depth tech world, and is this the case? Is having someone else build you a computer a thing that people do? Pardon my ignorance! hamoody

You can explain your parents that building computer is not rocket science.As I see it, you have to decide for yourself if you trust yourself to build a computer. Let me put it like this: if you don't have two left hands, you will have no troubles assembling a simple computer. All you need is one screwdriver.All you gotta do is be >real careful< with the components, not damage them by forcing anything and simply put it together, much like Lego, but much simpler!If you buy a prebuilt, you will most surely sacrifice money and probably have some non-optimal components.Prebuilt computers are also preinstalled, usually coming with so much preinstalled crap, it's just incredible. I know, I'm selling those in our shop.With enough research and asking zillion questions, you will most surely come to the right components.And letting someone build it is not such a bad thing - although if something goes wrong, it's hard to blame "someone" - building on your own, you can blame yourself OR you know you didn't break it, if it doesn't work - there are faulty components out there. Even in prebuilt systems.

Having someone put your system together with your parts of choice is a good idea and you will most likely save money. Prebuilt rigs are usually crap for the price, you just need to find a Micro Center or the likes and order exactly what you need, cherry picked components for the best bang for your buck. Some retailers will even overclock it for you or will sell overclocked bundles. This is what I would go with:CPU: I5 2500 or 2500K if you plan on overclocking. No need to spend the extra 100$ for the I7 2600's HyperthreadingMOBO: MSI P67A-C45. Dirt cheap P67 board, but still greatRAM: 4GB of DDR3 1600MHz CL7, goes for some 65$ http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231303GPU: GTX 460 1GBPSU: a good 500 - 600W one is more than enough. OCZ Fatality are good for the price. Also Antec, Seasonic or Corsair PSUs are all good ones. Don't pick a generic PSU, that's the crap you tipically get from Dell, and don't skimp here, you won't save more than a few $CASE: I really think the CM 690 is the best bang for the buck mid tower available. I have it myself and it's great. Get a decent case, it's something you buy once if you get the right one.HDD: Something like this or a WD Caviar BlackIf you want to overclock the CPU get an aftermarket heatsink too like a CM Hyper 212+, Scythe Mugen II, Megahalems... depending on your budgetW7 64bThat's some 700$ - 800$. If you have to pay an extra 80 bucks or something to have it put together, it's still much cheaper and better than any jetline or alienware system

Having someone put your system together with your parts of choice is a good idea and you will most likely save money. Prebuilt rigs are usually crap for the price, you just need to find a Micro Center or the likes and order exactly what you need, cherry picked components for the best bang for your buck. Some retailers will even overclock it for you or will sell overclocked bundles. This is what I would go with:CPU: I5 2500 or 2500K if you plan on overclocking. No need to spend the extra 100$ for the I7 2600's HyperthreadingMOBO: MSI P67A-C45. Dirt cheap P67 board, but still greatRAM: 4GB of DDR3 1600MHz CL7, goes for some 65$ http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231303GPU: GTX 460 1GBPSU: a good 500 - 600W one is more than enough. OCZ Fatality are good for the price. Also Antec, Seasonic or Corsair PSUs are all good ones. Don't pick a generic PSU, that's the crap you tipically get from Dell, and don't skimp here, you won't save more than a few $CASE: I really think the CM 690 is the best bang for the buck mid tower available. I have it myself and it's great. Get a decent case, it's something you buy once if you get the right one.HDD: Something like this or a WD Caviar BlackIf you want to overclock the CPU get an aftermarket heatsink too like a CM Hyper 212+, Scythe Mugen II, Megahalems... depending on your budgetW7 64bThat's some 700$ - 800$. If you have to pay an extra 80 bucks or something to have it put together, it's still much cheaper and better than any jetline or alienware system

Thanks for the great help! This is definately something to consider!

Another good guide for clocking your sandy bridge can be found here: http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cpus/2011/01/07/how-to-overclock-the-intel-core-i5-2500k/1Just got mine to 4.5ghz tonight easy as pie, should be good for another 200 or 300mhz I reckon. Well impressed, easiest clocking system I've had.

Another good guide for clocking your sandy bridge can be found here: http://www.bit-tech....core-i5-2500k/1Just got mine to 4.5ghz tonight easy as pie, should be good for another 200 or 300mhz I reckon. Well impressed, easiest clocking system I've had.

LOL, you have most of those parts there! How much did you pay for it all?

I have a custom computer company, and I would be happy to build you a system. Some the advantages of this are that you get high quality and exactly what you want. Check out the link in my signature. I highly recommend reading "How It Works", "Why Go Custom", and "What's Included". These pages can be accessed from the navigation bar on the top of the page. You don't have to know anything about computers to order from us, we'll be happy to help you select components. Please note that some of the product pages on the site are still under construction, but Custom Worx is officially open. I am actively working on getting the site completed. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me via the Contact Us page on the site.Take Care! =)

I have a custom computer company, and I would be happy to build you a system. Some the advantages of this are that you get high quality and exactly what you want. Check out the link in my signature. I highly recommend reading "How It Works", "Why Go Custom", and "What's Included". These pages can be accessed from the navigation bar on the top of the page. You don't have to know anything about computers to order from us, we'll be happy to help you select components. Please note that some of the product pages on the site are still under construction, but Custom Worx is officially open. I am actively working on getting the site completed. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me via the Contact Us page on the site.Take Care! =)

I wish you a lot of luck with the starting of the company! Although, you could go with a little bit more current pictures of motherboard comparisons... we all do know that Dell is not A1 quality, but comparing one of the newest motherboards from Gigabyte and ASUS (or is it EVGA?) and such from Dell? I don't know, but is this really a current mainboard picture from Dell? Surely very hard to believe!

I have a custom computer company, and I would be happy to build you a system. Some the advantages of this are that you get high quality and exactly what you want. Check out the link in my signature. I highly recommend reading "How It Works", "Why Go Custom", and "What's Included". These pages can be accessed from the navigation bar on the top of the page. You don't have to know anything about computers to order from us, we'll be happy to help you select components. Please note that some of the product pages on the site are still under construction, but Custom Worx is officially open. I am actively working on getting the site completed. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me via the Contact Us page on the site.Take Care! =)

From your web-site:Price, Performace, and Quality. Suggest you run a spell checker on the content..

LOL, you have most of those parts there! How much did you pay for it all?

Moved a lot of the stuff over from my i3 system, but upgrade as follows:MSI P67-C45 £85i2500k Retail - £1652x2gb Mushkin Silverline - £33Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus - £18As I said, already had the drives, case, PSU, GTX460 etc.Makes a nice system

From your web-site:Price, Performace, and Quality.

lolYes, the many long nights show. Thanks for pointing that out. I'll get on it right away.

I wish you a lot of luck with the starting of the company! Although, you could go with a little bit more current pictures of motherboard comparisons... we all do know that Dell is not A1 quality, but comparing one of the newest motherboards from Gigabyte and ASUS (or is it EVGA?) and such from Dell? I don't know, but is this really a current mainboard picture from Dell? Surely very hard to believe!

It is a relatively new dimension desktop mobo. I believe '09. I would really love to show something else, but I don't have access to another Dell machine. If any of you want to send me a picture to use, I'd be happy to consider it!Thanks everyone for your comments and help! Whew I feel like I need to be ending this post with </div> or something. I think I'm going mad.

Okay, HTML has been updated. Now it reflects Performance instead of Performace.Thanks again for pointing that out!.Take Care All...