video card suggestions

[ScipioCaesar]

Wow thank you guys so much for the help. So it looks like price-wise the two places where i can cut the most are the CPU and the GPU yes? Even if i individually purchased each and every piece, however, i have absolutely no idea whatsoever how to put the thing together. I don't need the 'perfect pc' but i would like to be able to play ffxiv on it...and really, outside of xiv, wow, and eventually tor i don't plan on playing too many other games.

Ideally something around $1000 would be ideal but i can go a bit more, i just want a good computer i can still upgrade and that isnt gonna be overpriced

EDIT

Re: Naylia -- Yeah that's what I've been looking for pretty much but I'm open to building my own as well if i'm sure i'm capable of doing so. I just need to move fast before i'm past the return date on this PC, IF they even let me return another one

[Coldfire]

Lol it's really easy to put a PC together if it's a midi tower or bigger. There's detailed instructions with the mainboard. You can also just ask some nerd you know xD
For $1000 you get pretty highend stuff already.
But be careful that the stuff you buy fits together: the mainboard has to support the RAM and CPU, the GPU needs to be PCIe. Some shops even put the stuff together for you for ~$60.

[ScipioCaesar]

Lol it's really easy to put a PC together if it's a midi tower or bigger. There's detailed instructions with the mainboard. You can also just ask some nerd you know xD
For $1000 you get pretty highend stuff already.
But be careful that the stuff you buy fits together: the mainboard has to support the RAM and CPU, the GPU needs to be PCIe. Some shops even put the stuff together for you for ~$60.

Ah that'd be awesome finding someone to piece it together for me. Seriously though you guys have been awesome, thanks so much, I just have to figure out in the next day or two exactly what parts to get so i can throw it all together, because obviously once i return my pc i won't be able to use the internet to do anything with it. i guess my biggest problem from there is once everything is physically put together ill have no idea how to configure it all into a functioning desktop! And I'm sorry if my complete lack of knowledge is annoying, computers are just something i know nothing about

[Coldfire]

You don't have to configure much. After the windows installation you just update drivers and directX and should already be able to play the game.

[Khalus]

Yup, there is very little initial-configuration with PCs anymore. Windows 7 pretty much does it all for you, sans the driver updates for your GPU, and audio, but thats simple.

There is of course a slew of fine tuning for the enthusiast that wants every drop of performance a custom build can muster, but thats more or less targeted at the overclocking elitists. Its totally unnecessary for the average gamer.

[ScipioCaesar]

Well that's a relief at least; I'm assuming i have to buy windows from somewhere then? I know how to use device manager to upload my drivers and such at least; how long will it take to actually construct the thing? and what kind of tools and such will i need? That build you gave me Khalus looks beautiful, btw, ill probably try to match exactly that with just a few price cuts in whatever areas i can get the best bang for my buck. i wish their was something i could do to return the favors you guys have offered me!

[Khalus]

i wish their was something i could do to return the favors you guys have offered me!

Just get rid of that thing you bought, and build a real PC. You'll thank yourself in the end as well.

To build a PC, depending on your level of skill can take an hr or all day. Whenever I build a new PC, I take a great deal of time on wire management, making sure its all tucked away so I get the maximum airflow which does help in keeping temps down a few c, plus in the end it looks really nice too. I'd say my latest build took me about 2-3hrs, including installing Win7, and my drivers/programs. For you being new to this, just remember to take your time, ask a friend to help if they know a little, ask plenty of questions if you're not sure, and follow the guide provided with the MB. {usually a huge, colored poster, in great detail...}

[ScipioCaesar]

Just get rid of that thing you bought, and build a real PC. You'll thank yourself in the end as well.

To build a PC, depending on your level of skill can take an hr or all day. Whenever I build a new PC, I take a great deal of time on wire management, making sure its all tucked away so I get the maximum airflow which does help in keeping temps down a few c, plus in the end it looks really nice too. I'd say my latest build took me about 2-3hrs, including installing Win7, and my drivers/programs. For you being new to this, just remember to take your time, ask a friend to help if they know a little, ask plenty of questions if you're not sure, and follow the guide provided with the MB. {usually a huge, colored poster, in great detail...}

Alright that doesn't sound too bad then...do you have any other suggestions for the PSU/GPU? I just can't see myself floating that kind of money for the graphics card and the PCU was out of stock =P Unless you think those two are musts and i should be cutting costs from elsewhere? Also the CPU seems really high but i'm under the impression that's the most important part right?

Oh, and also, I still need a monitor, mouse, and keyboard don't I? I guess I'm looking at $1500ish when all is said and done

[Coldfire]

You need a cross screwdriver and an antistatic wrist strap. For windows I recommend you get a systembuilder(SB/OEM) version at the same shop where you buy the parts. It's cheaper and only misses some support features that really nobody ever uses(one free phone call to customer support... wtf M$ xD). Make sure that it's 64bit though. The drivers are usually just installers that need to be executed once. No need for complicated interaction with the device manager anymore nowadays.
This link should also help: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_To_...op_PC/Assembly
It's a pretty old guide but most stuff is still done the same way.

[ScipioCaesar]

Alright sounds good thanks again; i thre a bunch of the items on the list from last page into a newegg shopping cart except for the PSU/GPU. The PSU is out of stock and there's no way I'm spending $479 on the video card. Otherwise i think the other stuff looks good, only having 6 months no interest is a worry but i make all my extra money in december so i should be able to pull it off. I guess i'll look around the PSU/Gpu stuff on newegg to see what's best and most affordable, i'm sure i can find a good video card for $200 or so, at least i'm hoping that to be the case!