Building a PC -- Help me, please

Hi,

I've recently decided to shift from console gaming to PC gaming, since I'll be needing to run a few simulators that require a decent video card anyway. The problem is I have no clue whatsoever regarding PC hardware, and although I have a decent budget (~US$2000,00), things are expensive as hell where I live (Brazil). Basically, anything you'd try to make there would cost double the price here.

Fact is, I want to build a very, very good PC that will last me a few years minimum (would, obviously, need to be able to run Crysis at max. with AA and all that jazz), but I don't know what to put in it. I was looking at the Video Card threads, interested by the RadeonHD5970 and the other top video cards, but had no clue regarding the other items: motherboard, RAM, etc. Could someone help me? I'd need the specs. for every piece I'd need to purchase to make the PC (remembering that it has to be top-notch), from the cooler system to the video card.

Thanks.

if you have no idea how to build one from scratch why not just buy one already built? it'll be cheaper.

Or you just want the experience of it?

Either way, building a PC is not easy, there's a lot of compability issues that have to be looked into, so is not a 10 minute job, probably a few hours. Here's a company in the US who sells gaming PCs and much more, at least to give you an idea of what to look for

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=114

if you have no idea how to build one from scratch why not just buy one already built? it'll be cheaper.

Or you just want the experience of it?

Either way, building a PC is not easy, there's a lot of compability issues that have to be looked into, so is not a 10 minute job, probably a few hours. Here's a company in the US who sells gaming PCs and much more, at least to give you an idea of what to look for

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=114

Microwin

Woah where have you been the last 20yrs, building a PC is always cheaper than pre-built and its like assembling lego, easiest thing in the world.

Also, theres a awesome sticky right here which shows you how to assemble one.

As I said in the post, I want to build a top-notch PC -- and as far as assembling goes, I live with two other guys (College) that have made and mounted their own PCs, so I've got that covered*. I just need to have ideas for what are good piece-setups, with compatibility, for me to build a computer.

*For those of you who are wondering why I'm not asking them, I'm currently visiting my parents, and they're not really into social media (Facebook, twitter, etc.), so I can't contact them.

@SoraX64: Didn't quote because the post was large.

Thanks for the solid reply, that helps a lot. The websites I'd use to purchase the items here would be in Portuguese, so I guess that would be a hassle to you -- I'm probably going to get it directly from someone who imports it, though, to shave off 20-30% of the price. As far as the case goes, I've got more than enough space -- horizontally and vertically, so that's not something to worry.

How much would the build you suggested cost in the U.S.A? Also, if you don't mind me asking, what is your current PC build/how does it perform?

Thanks. I'm kind of worried because it's the first PC I'm building, and I want it to be geared towards gaming and manage to last a few years -- and it's too expensive to risk getting it wrong.