EClark1894 posted at 3:24PM Wed, 06 May 2020 - #4388349

Unfortunately, when the state went to online auctions, I stopped following computer parts and lost my knowledge, what little I had, of what I needed to have a decent computer. I used to read a lot of the computer mags at that time, as well, mostly about Macs, but some Windows machines, like PC Magazine.

You can skip a lot of research by buying a "barebones PC", which has a motherboard that has everything needed built-in except disk, memory, and CPU (purchased separately). You then add the requisite missing pieces (HDD, RAM, CPU) and they generally tell you what types to get for it. Then, you maybe get a GPU-accelerated video card to slap in if you want (not 100% necessary unless you're doing uber-high-end-render engines, in which case it'll save you megatons of render time - maybe do that later to keep things budget-friendly... in the meanwhile most have basic/decent video built-in), and you're generally good to go.

Mind, the link is just an example - the industry at large knows what a "barebones PC" is, so you can go to most sites and find them, often for reasonable prices. For the GFX/CG world, a "Gaming" type of PC (or "gaming barebones") will cost a bit, but gets you fairly high(er) end stuff that will handle CG stuff nicely (especially consumer-grade CG apps like Poser and DS).