Someone might buy me a comp(they know nothing)

It looks like I might be getting a new computer for a X-mas/B-Day gift.

The buyer has very little, or heck no knowledge in computers. I originally told her that the big name companies(Dell/HP/etc...) would not work for me. After bashing through the internet I think i found where I will tell her to go. I was leaning towards another well known custom pc builder as they are based 30 miles from me but after reading reviews, seeing your reseller rating, and finding this wonderful forum. I know this is the place.

My question is with out knowing the budget what are the important points to tell her.So when she calls for help on a system DS can look at some pionts of interest and say ahh right here, this is the one for him at this price range.

I see screen size/resolution for graphics card selection.
Anything else like this.
Pc games played?

I am also looking at future upgrade paths.  Is the core2duo on there last leg? How long will the i5's be in production. I have a feeling that it will be more a bang for the buck with a lot of room to upgrade, faster gpu, cpu in the distant future, that is also why I dont want a processor that will soon be pulled from the production lines and getting overly pricey. I have had that happen to many times.

Also, call me old school and a fuddy duddy but do all the cases have lights and windows. I prefer neither as I also watch vids on my comp as I go to sleep. No need for a creepy disco on my room. Looks cool but not for my uses. It doens't really matter just a preferance.

Originally posted by venom If you are wanting to upgrade the CPU later on do NOT get the lga1156/P55 platform.  It will be End of Life by the end of 2010.  I would highly recommend an EVGA x58 motherboard (any), and an i7 920.  Video cards I can't really suggest since I don't know your monitor resolution.  I would also get 6GB of 1600MHz RAM now versus getting 3GB and adding another 3GB.  Hard Drive, optical drives, cooling, and whatever else is up to you.  One last thing I would recommend is to overclock your CPU.

Well that is a start, thanks.i have been out of all this new tech for some time and really want to keep something that I can expand on in the next year or two. I am not looking for a system build as things will change drastically by the years end I am thinking/hoping, new nv300?
As far as my monitor I am sill running a CRT at 20 inches viewable so my resolution can change. For what i want I don't think I will ever go over 22-23 inches flat screen so 1600 x 1200 I am guessing.But that is way in the future. My CRT rocks, and well is as heavy as a boulder.

I am kind of thinking a low end i7 920 and that should give me room to grow over the next say year+ some months to grab a higher end one?

(anyone got a socket 939 mobo they want to sell me. I hate finding old parts.)Not really a question just a comment of what I have been dealing with.