I understand your feeling about not wanting to deal with PC assembly, but Ars Technica has guides which have components already tested to work together.
Their budget box doesn't have the graphics power you are talking about (about $600, no monitor but with an OS).
Their "hot rod" shoots for $1730 plus shipping, which is past your target range. But look closer:
You have a monitor, speakers, mouse, keyboard, dvd drive. That knocks about $500 off the price. ($1230) If you're happy with your existing hard disk, that's another $180. ($1050) If you're never using that old machine again, transfer the OS to the new one for about $130. ($920)
Personally, I'd buy a new hard disk. They have a limited lifespan, and it's bad to lose one.
no subject
Their budget box doesn't have the graphics power you are talking about (about $600, no monitor but with an OS).
Their "hot rod" shoots for $1730 plus shipping, which is past your target range. But look closer:
You have a monitor, speakers, mouse, keyboard, dvd drive. That knocks about $500 off the price. ($1230)
If you're happy with your existing hard disk, that's another $180. ($1050)
If you're never using that old machine again, transfer the OS to the new one for about $130. ($920)
Personally, I'd buy a new hard disk. They have a limited lifespan, and it's bad to lose one.
That's a lot of machine in a quiet case.