Real quick question on Part Importance.

[se1zure]

I am building a computer , and it's my first time (I havent had a windows box in at least 5 years), and I would like to make sure, before I go into prioritizing my parts share of money (overall a $1000 build). So here is qhat I currently am thinking:

For normal computing, graphic and webdesign (and a tiny bit of CAD) (most important to least important)
CPU
MOBO
RAM
Hard Drive
Power Supply
Video Card

And For mid-high gaming:
Video Card
CPU
MOBO
PS
RAM
HD

And For MultiPurpose:
CPU
Video Card
RAM
MOBO
Hard Drive
Power Supply


Am i right, or does, say the RAM play a big part in games, or the video card play a big part in normal computing. I am getting a very multi purpose machine, so I am hinking a high end processor, with a mid level video card, and high end mobo, good ram, okay ps, and only 250 gb hdd.

 

[454Casull]

The power supply doesn't belong on the list, since what you're supposed to do is pick a good one and forget about it.

I am building a computer , and it's my first time (I havent had a windows box in at least 5 years), and I would like to make sure, before I go into prioritizing my parts share of money (overall a $1000 build). So here is qhat I currently am thinking:

For normal computing, graphic and webdesign (and a tiny bit of CAD) (most important to least important)
CPU
MOBO
RAM
Hard Drive
Power Supply
Video Card

What I think:
Monitor
RAM
Hard drive
CPU/Video Card
Mobo

And For mid-high gaming:
Video Card
CPU
MOBO
PS
RAM
HD

What I think:
Video card
CPU
Sound card
Memory
Mobo
HD

Am i right, or does, say the RAM play a big part in games, or the video card play a big part in normal computing. I am getting a very multi purpose machine, so I am hinking a high end processor, with a mid level video card, and high end mobo, good ram, okay ps, and only 250 gb hdd.

The video card is usually only stressed in games unless you're doing 3D visualization in pro apps. More memory can reduce the frequency of FPS drops/stutters, as shown here: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/memory/display/2gb-ram_10.html

 

[engiNURD]

Hm... well, if OC'ing is involved, those lists would have to change (mobo/cpu/ram would have to be near the top). I think parts are all relative to each other, and mainly limited by budget. I would say that a casual cad system would have the same priorities as a mid-high end gaming system. A 2D graphic design system only needs a budget vidcard (<$50), therefore it would have almost the same priorities as a midrange system.

For a 1k budget and graphics/cad in mind, I'd go with something along these lines:

$311 - Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz
$100 - Foxconn P9657AA-8KS2H Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express (review)
$200 - CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-667 VS2GBKIT667D2
$75 - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250620AS 250GB 7200RPM SATA300 16MB Cache
$30 - NEC 18X DVD±R DVD Burner 7170A-0B
$55 - COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-WW Black/Silver w/ Side Window
============
$771 + tax and shipping

Now... the vidcard choice is up to you. Graphic and web design (2D) don't require anything more than a $30 vidcard. Though, for CAD, one would rather have a high end gaming card or pro openGL card. So a 7600GT would be the middle ground I guess... but if you're not gaming at all, go for an entry level pro card.
$115 - BFG Tech BFGR76256GTOCE Geforce 7600GT 256MB ($145 - $30MIR)
$205 - eVGA 256-P2-N584-AR Geforce 7900GT 256MB ($225 - $20)
$250 - ATI 100-505148 FireGL V3400 128MB
$360 - ATI 100-505087 FireGL V5100 128MB <<Great price/performance for a pro card, but if you're only doing light cad work, I dont think you need a pro card.