Building a gaming pc

[apple]

Ok so I plan to build my first PC during this year and I could need some help deciding what parts to use.
As of now I'm not that sure about the budget, but I think something like 700-1000$.

Now there is some things that I would requirer from it and those things are:

1 or more (Mini)display port(s).
A graphics card able to run shogun 2 at reasonable frame rates in 2560x1440 resolution.
802.11b/g/n compatibility
And most importantly no damn BLUE LED LIGHTS!!!!

Now some might wonder why 2560x1440. Well I already got a 27´iMac and I want to use that as a screen for my gaming PC.
Also due to the fact that the iMac has 1tb of storage, a large HD isn't important at all. I rather have a small speedy one (ssd).

[Freddie]

Frankly I wouldn't be looking to build a PC right now, Sandy Bridge is W/O until April by which time AMD's Bulldozer will have hit market and for the first time in a long, long time there will be some straight up competition in the CPU arena with two brand new chip designs going head to head.

Also until Shogun 2 comes out and gets benchmarked I would hold off and see what kind of performance people are getting on existing hardware. From what I've read S2TW will have DX11 graphics, proper core scaling and better graphics then ETW/NTW both of which are a stern test for even high end PC's and given your going to be running at a very high resolution it would pay to wait.

What I would say is given the demands placed on resources with a game like S2TW don't get a video with less then 2gb of VRAM especially since your running at 2560x1400, add AA onto that and that's a lot pixels that need colouring (yes colour c.o.l.o.u.r) .

[apple]

I know that (the sandy bridge story ), but see this as a 1 year project. I'm probably not going to finnish this build before the summer anyway but I'd like to start thinking about what to get and what's important.
Surly most things will get an update between now and the summer, but I like to think I could learn something during that time.

Many thanks for the helpful answer.

[Freddie]

I know that (the sandy bridge story ), but see this as a 1 year project. I'm probably not going to finnish this build before the summer anyway but I'd like to start thinking about what to get and what's important.
Surly most things will get an update between now and the summer, but I like to think I could learn something during that time.

Many thanks for the helpful answer.

I don't like these sorts of long term project builds, save your until you have the budget and buy the parts then and there. If you must stagger it I suggest you purchase things like the OS, case, PSU, optical drives first as they will hard depreciate in value then buy the CPU, motherboard and video card at the same time.

I have to say that's nice screen you have. I have a 24" Dell U2407 WPF-HC which runs at 1920x1200 and its a fantastic piece of kit in fact I think your Apple screen is a rebaged Dell U2704 which I think is made by Samsung. I will never go back to using crappy TN displays the colour re production on these IPS and VA screen is so much better, the only time I'm going to replace it is when they finally get around to releasing 1920x1200 screens with 120hz refresh.

[apple]

No I don't think you understand what I mean. I won't start purchase these parts right now as I know that there will be new ones out when I'm starting the build. Im just looking to get a hang of the industry and get as many tips as possible so that when I start to actually build it, I'm able to understand what I really should buy and why.

About the screen, yes it's a masterpiece. If it's one thing apple is good at a hardware perspective (apart from the actuall design that is) then it's the screens. I got an iPhone 4 and an iPad as well and the screens on these things just blows my mind.
My little brother just got himself an HP Envy 14, and the screen on it is just terrible compare to these products.
He doesn't care but I would personally never buy something like that as the screen is probably the most important part in a computer for me.

Anyway, any tips on a good case? The size doesn't really matter as it will be under my desk and there is plenty of space there.


Edit: What about Thermaltake's case's?
As far as I've seen the look good, they are sturdy and they got plenty of space for the gfx cards.

[Freddie]

If I were buying a case today I would get the Fractal design define r3 or the Corsair 600. Also get a decent PSU with plenty of wattage and one that's modular. Rams cheap at the moment so don't hold back there either. Its prtetty hard type this on a phone and I'm away now until Monday.