It is time of me to purchase a new workstation computer for my home office. I had several criteria the new computer must meet.

1. It must run my business productivity and media editing software quickly. Microsoft Office, Microsoft CRM, CyberLink PowerDirector and Wirecast

2. The new computer will need to run multiple virtual machines

3. The new computer must have a warranty

4. The new computer must have upgradability

5. The new computer must be quiet

6. The new computer should be able to play some of the latest games. After all, I got to have a little fun now and then

7.The new computer must be unobtrusive

8. Must have 32 Gigs of Ram (for Video, and Virtual Machines)

9. Must cost less than $2,000

I considered A Apple Mac Pro (2013) model price not announced as well as an iMac using boot camp. I looked Dell, HP and Lenovo desktops. Each one was a compromise. The most difficult issue was buying a machine at the price I wanted to apy and the features available.

An i7 quad core iMac with 32GB Ram wit 3 TB Fusion Drive was $3468.00
A Dell Precision and HP Z series were way over budget

The reasons I went with custom PC:

#1: Control over the design of the system. I am able to pick the components that I want rather than a manufacturer limiting my selection. I am able to build the computer with higher quality parts.

#2: I am able to build the machine with higher quality parts for less money

#3: I know exactly how the system was built. I am particular about cable management for example.

#4: One word. Value. I built my custom PC for hundreds less than a box builder such as dell.

#5: After my warranty if something breaks I can repair it myself, rather than deal with a big box company support policies.

#6 I can upgrade my computer without voiding the warranty.

#7: I don't have to deal with tons of trialware. It is a clean PC.

The only real solution was a custom PC. There are several sites that you can use to help configure a system. One of which I used is CyberPowerPC. I then went and took a part list and ordered parts through New Egg.

Here is how my new custom PC for about $2,000 ended up.

Case: Fractal Design Define R4
MotherBoard: GIGABYTE GA-Z87X-UD4H
CPU: Intel i7-4770k Soclet 1150
RAM G. Skill Ripsaw 1866MHZ DDR 3 4 X *
SSD Kingston SSD 240 GB
HDD: WD Cavier RE 2 TB Black
Video Card: ATI Radeon 7950 with 3 GM DDR 5 Memory
Wireless N Network Card
Cooling: Corsair H100i Liquid Cooling
PSU: SeaSonic X Series X-850 80+ Gold Certified
Media Card Reader
DVD Burner