help me build or decide: QUAD CORE or IMAC

[GlennSter]

ok...i have 1,000$ Canadian. around 43-45k petots.

I was thinking of buying an imac for 1500$ with 20'' 2.4ghz 320gig variant. the better of the 2 20''s.

but i am also thinking of just building a quad core that will cost much less than that.

I already have a 22" lcd, and the keyboard and mouse will be around less than 80$ anyway...

i was thinking...

QUAD CORE (what are the variants? quad core 2...extreme...etc?)

4gig ram

WHAT VIDEO CARD? (i watch alot of dvd's..dowloaded movies...photoshop cs2...not really into games but i play sometimes. i want to connect my standalone tv tuner to the monitor too. i was thinking...the dvi connection to the computer and the normal pin to the standalone tv (is that possible?))

what dvd drive?

500gig HD

sound card (kinda important to me too.)

motherboard

I'm looking for proven parts and brands..not necessarily the newest one in the market.

Vista home? what are the variants?

OR....

JUST BUY AN IMAC and be happy with it.herhehrerh

thanks a lot!!!!!!

[Jun aka Pekto]

ok...i have 1,000$ Canadian. around 43-45k petots. I was thinking of buying an imac for 1500$ with 20'' 2.4ghz 320gig variant. the better of the 2 20''s.

Hmmm. If you have C$1k, how can you buy a C$1.5k iMac? Sounds contradictory to me.

I'd opt for a DIY quadcore pc with Vista Home Premium. Make sure you buy a mobo with the built-in Intel X3100. You can add a better video card later if you so choose. Plus, you'll be able to use all that extra components you have lying around.

Sound.... Most built-in sound are fine unless you're an audio technician/specialist.

iMacs are ok I suppose. But, it's very nature makes it a dead-end product. I rather have a Mini, esp when games aren't considered.

the dvi connection to the computer and the normal pin to the standalone tv (is that possible?))

Yes. In fact, most up to date pc video drivers consider an HDTV as a second monitor option. You may have to get a dedicated video card with two monitor ports.

[GlennSter]

jun..i was hoping you would reply asap.

I can still squeeze in 500$ for an imac.

but im not spending more than 1k$ for a pc.

thats what i meant.

[Jun aka Pekto]

jun..i was hoping you would reply asap.

I can still squeeze in 500$ for an imac.

but im not spending more than 1k$ for a pc.

thats what i meant.

Well, I'm not your Pop. So, I'm not going to dissuade you from the iMac. They're nice too. I'm just not a fan of All-In-Ones which I regard as dead-ends. That's why I like the Mini better for a Mac desktop.

But, Old Blue likes iMacs. So, maybe you'll hear more positive stuff from him which may swing you towards the iMac.

The quadcore would seem the logical choice to me because you have a lot of pc stuff lying around that can still be used. Hate to see them go to waste if you opted for an iMac. But, the hard choice is yours.

Add: If you need something pressing on the Mac like Final Cut Pro or even just the iApps, then the iMac would be the best choice. Bootcamp will allow you Windows access should you need it.

If your needs are more generalized, then the quadcore pc will do fine.

For aesthetics, it's not even close. The iMac wins running away. For me, aesthetics is secondary although I appreciate it if it's there. Others may value it a lot more. Again, your call on that.

[bladerunner]

Imac syempre!

[GlennSter]

hmm..i think ima go for quad...then vista home premium...hmmmm

can you guys suggest exact specs and names? i have no clue..im researching, though.