Lots of new Hardward out there! Here is the skinny

[Dillon 1st MRB]

So, lot's of new products have been released.

First off, Intel released a new processor, the SB-E (Sandy Bridge-E).

It is really intended as as product for high-end workstations that need a ton of memory bandwidth or a ton of PCI-e lanes. First and foremost, these are not gaming products. It also introduces a new socket (like every freaking new cpu Intel sells), the LGA-2011. Expect to spend ~$1,200 for a cpu/mobo at the top end, ~$500 for the low end.

If you are looking to get into a new Intel Processor, you will be much better served with either a Core i5-2500/k (my pick for the sweet spot for most users) or a Core i7-2600/k. The k designator means that top-end multiplier is unlocked which makes for some pretty sweet overclocks out there. There is usually a $10-20 premium for the k products, so my motto is "K-Y? Y-Not!" Expect to spend $300-$500.

Next processor that has been released is the looooooong anticipated AMD Bulldozer. Its... well, underwhelming. Yes, you can have 8 threads (4 cores, 4 more-than-threads-but-not-quite-cores) which makes for a very handy processor if you can support 8 threads. However, the Windows 7 core scheduler doesn't cope with it well yet, but a patch is coming out. It honestly performs about on par with the i5-2500/k. I wouldn't recommend this processor unless you already have a motherboard that supports AM-3+ socket'ed processors. In that case, its a pretty solid upgrade if you are in a Phenom II x3 or less. If you have an x6 or a 9xx series x4, not worth it at all.

Now then, AMD/ATI (or the fun combination DAAMIT!) just released a new top-end video card, the 7970. AMD beat nvidia to the punch again with this generation, and is probably going to make a tidy little profit. The 7970 is the best single-chip video card on the market right now. But, at $500 you'll be paying a pretty penny for it. That being said, its pretty stupid-fast unless you are gaming at 1920x1200 or higher. 1920x1080 just isn't that taxing of a resolution any more.

Anyway, for video cards, here is how I would recommend anyone making an upgrade in the next couple of weeks:

$500 - AMD 7970 - $500 - not available for a couple more weeks, so if you can't wait nVidia 580 GTX.

$400 - Nothing. Go with the $250- 350 range. You get 5 fps for your extra $100.

$250-$350 - AMD 6950 2GB at ~$325 or the pretty sweet nVidia 560Ti-448 at $275.

$150 - $250 - nVidia 560 or 560Ti - Hands down.

Right now, nvidia owns the sweet spot where most games are. Its just better performance.

Here is the interesting bit: the 7970 is the first of the entire 7xxx lineup from AMD. We're going to see some nice shake-ups coming, with lots of price decreases. It will also change where things fall and what is recommended. nVidia needs to hurry up and release its new Keplar technology, or AMD will have mind/marketshare like the 4870-era. The delays massive production issues with the Fermi architecture have pushed everything back an entire year, so we'll have to see how well they catch up.

If you have a 1920x1080 or lower resolution monitor, it is going to be a sweet time to upgrade as prices are going to plummet.

[Pangilinan 1st MRB]

Off-topic: My uncle is getting me started on an A+ crash course. That build guide you posted for Maines is starting to make a little more sense to me.

[Magic 1st MRB]

So I heard that Hard drive costs are through the roof because of Thailand getting owned by flooding, destroying most of the factories.

Hard drive production:

When do you think normal prices will come back? Because I wanted to buy another 500gigs and I found out about this.

[Dillon 1st MRB]

They already have for the most part. 2 tb hds were running nearly $175. Another couple of weeks and prices will be better. Not sure when they will normalize. Big tip, look to Samsung for mechanical drives. Amazingly good performance, even better than the WD Blacks.