I have built my last two computers myself. The most recent was about 1.5 years ago. I just went to Fry’s and bought stuff that fit together and it all sort of just worked. I had no idea how much I should be spending or what the best ways to optimize performance were or what resources to use for researching components or anything. I just had a budget, found parts that fit the budget, and stuck everything together.
Now I’m in the market for a new computer, and I want to know more about that stuff. What are some good resources for great deals on computer components? What is a good resource for comparing different components, maybe with ratings and discussions about them? Is it even beneficial to build your own computer, or should I just buy a pre-built one, and if so, from where? I’m interested in playing Starcraft 2 and Diablo 3 when they come out, and I’m currently playing World of Warcraft. I want a machine that will run those games at high settings. How much should I expect to pay for that?