Compurter recommendation for X4

[HumbleChief]

If you want RT's go with the best "cpu" you can get, as that is what chief uses for those. Also, a very good video card w/ lots of memory is a must. Computer memory is another important item. Well, now that I have said those things, there goes the budget.

Like Perry writes, if you want photo realistic rendering and you'll be using Chief then you need as much CPU as you can get and faster CPU = better for rendering.

The Dell at 3.4 GHz is not bad but the i7 2600k (as Michael suggests) will go well beyond 4.5 GHz and is probably the best bang for buck processor out there right now.

Also great advice to have it built locally that way you can have the local builder overclock it as well and handle all the cooling needs if needed. A local build should still be within your $1000.00 budget but you'll end up with a faster machine that will not only last you much longer into the future, where speed will always be king, but be upgradable when the time comes.

Good luck either way and let us know what you decide.