Welp, my main computer has died (though at least the hard drive data is still accessible, so i don't need to spend 5 days redownloading all my games), and I am probably going to have to replace it as it probably will cost too much to fix the broken parts (the PSU has had issues for a while, and the CPU fan was apparently underperforming) to make it worthwhile.

So, basicly, give me suggestions as to a reasonable gaming computer (as in good enough to play most modern games, but not necessarily top of the line, play skyrim at full settings level) I could get for about $1000 (keep in mind I live in Australia, so some newer components will cost more here.

Also, I already have an HD monitor, blu-ray drive, network card and a good keyboard, so that will help to keep some of the cost down.

I would price out the following:

i5-2500k ( if you dont want to overclock then you could save a little with i5-2400/i5-2500(non-k) )
Socket 1155 motherboard ( Z68 chipset if you want to overclock + more likely to support next-gen cpu's )
8gb DDR3-1600
Quality 600w PSU
Case large enough to fit highend videocard

Do you need to spend money on things like: OS? Hard Drive (you mentioned you still have the old one, hard drive market is still pretty inflated right now)? What's leftover cash-wise at that point? If you can't afford a ~$200 videocard (6870, GTX560 or better) then it's probably best to cut some spending on the CPU - go with an AMD Phenom II X4 AM3 + AM3 motherboard or Intel i3-21xx + any socket 1155 motherboard (z68 still mostly likely to support future cpu's).

Hope most of this makes some sense, im still waking from a NyQuil induced coma.

Remember to post your Q&A with my new rig when you get it!

Triscuit he said 1k total and he wants to play skyrim, an i3 or Phenom isn't really gonna cut it. Go for the i5 and get an HD 6950 too.

Actually, you're completely wrong, but okay.

I don't get it, he didn't say his budget was 1k and an i3 can play skyrim perfectly?

Tibby, I like your recommendations- I'm just not sure it's possible for $1,000 (IN AUSTRALIA). I don't know what retailers he can use, ect. I just threw out the PhenomII / i3 options incase this isnt an all or nothing venture.


[IMG]http://media.bestofmicro.com/7/G/315196/original/CPU Core.png[/IMG]
Skyrim loves a powerful cpu, but that doesn't mean it's unplayable on an i3.

If I can manage Skyrim on near max settings on a Core 2 Duo + Radeon 4870, he most certainly doesn't have to get an i5. I would recommend it if he can, but it's by no means required.

Read the damn post, I said I DONT want a rig that plays skyrim perfectly.

tibby is ****ing retarded... an i3 will handle skyrim just fine... i mean **** my E8400, 4GB RAM, GTX260 does just fine at high settings with 4xAA 16xAF

Yeah, Skyrim does not really require a beast of a system at all.

Do you also have 4 gigs of RAM? If so, give me my damn computer back!

Sorry, I got 6GB.

You have more ram than me and told me that I didn't need more? You sneaky son of a *****.

I had 2. Then I upgraded to 4 by just adding, rather than replacing. I only really end up using it all in Premiere.

lolol my computer can melt all these games but i only put art **** on it hahahahah succkas

Still can't play Crysis.

Oh.. okay I'm sorry I misread the post. I apologize for making recommendations that were not along the lines of what you are looking for.
I'll just.. go over here.. now.
~does a frown, puts hands in pockets, kicks ground, wanders over out of thread~.

Matt and i have very similar computers, only i used to have 8gb, and one stick died.