You shouldn't even need that much for a good gaming box, even if you go fairly overkill. I'd say figure around $1200 for a very solid build, including a quad-core processor, single high-end graphics card, motherboard with plenty of options for expansion, Seagate 7200.11 hard drive, sound card, quality power supply, good case you like the look of, and 2-4GB of RAM.

RayvinAzn

Where's a good place to buy all the stuff I need, should I get it online or at a best buy or something

Just be super-careful with those connectors! If, like me, you're a clumsy person, it's VERY easy to bend/break connectors (those little metal prongs that stick out) and once damaged, they're nearly impossible to repair.

Opalescent

Yeah i knocked off a tiny piece of of metal off a tiny peg last time I messed with my comp, I hope it wasnt anything important :D

Im just hoping I dont have to have some akward geeks on call guy come put it together and tell me I'm missing eight parts

I had to pay someone to install my radeon x1650 because i coudlnt figure out the inside of my xps, between his fee and the cost of the card I could have bought something much nicer:?

The worst was when my first Dell couldnt even play half life 2 : (

I really appriciate the info guys, Im not too experienced in taking apart or building pcs but I'd rather not buy a pre packaged one again, so any info helps.

My family's bought dell's all their lives so ive realized why a ton of people can't stand them.

I got a XPS GEN 5 back in june 2005 or so thinking it would keep its value for at least 3 years. Here are the specs:

Intel Pentium 4 CPU 3.20GHz

3.20 GHz, 2 GB of ram

Creative SB Audigy 2 ZS (WDM)

Radeon X1650 series (which was a replacement once i couldnt run rainbow six vegas with the card dell provided)

For some reason my device manage lists 2 CPU's under processos, But i dont have a dual core, someone said it was something about hyperthreading.

Anyway with my current set up S.T.L.K.E.R. runs choppy as hell, Supreme Commander is almost unplayable, same goes for neverwinter nights 2, and Rainbow Six even with the new (albeit mediocre) video card is still unplayable on the nice settings. Other games I cant remember always had to have the settings turned down too

I've realized finally that buying prepackaged dells with limited options is just a waste of cash, it's time I build a comp. So I was hoping you guys could Link me to some websites, let me know the most important parts, It would just be a gaming/music/movies computer.

I paid close to 4 grand I think for that dell that's already makign new games look like n64 graphics, and I've heard that building one is tons cheaper....I'm willing to spend 2 grand or so, (already have a decent monitor and surround sound) that's just what I figured a gaming pc built yourself would be close to costing) I'm not expecting to be able to play Crysis on very high with AA on, but it would be nice if the game looks better than far cry on my computer

Any links to sites with parts would be great, I just want to know what a reasonable upgrade would be over my comp

So when I open up my general system properties it says I have:

Pentium 4 CPU 3.20GHz

3.20 GHz, 2.00 GB of Ram

Physical Address Extension

And then when I go to processors under device manager it lists Intel(R) Pentium(R) CPU 3.20 GHz two times.

Did I buy a dual core processor without knowing it? Or did I just buy one that had the extra space for another? Because my computer sure as hell doesnt seem like it runs fast enough to have 2 of em

orry for the stupid questions, I'm trying to Build my next gaming pc instead of spending a fortune on another xps