But getting the whole package might mean that you have to compromise on flexibility. You won't be able to choose that particular soundcard or monitor that your pals are raving about. Customised Satisfaction Building your own gaming PC can save a tidy bundle and you get the flexibility of customising, not to mention the fantastic ego boost of actually putting something together that works. But do not try it unless you have the technical know-how or are willing to see most of your investment get fried in a mess of wires. Or you can rely on a IT-savvy friend help to pick the parts and assemble the system.
Processing speed is vital.
Don't be fooled by the 'minimum requirements' label found on games boxes. That just means the game will run but the results aren't smooth or pretty. Graphics are also important, especially for simulations or FPS where the games are very graphics intensive. But hottest graphics cards today are the Voodoo5 and the GeForce2. It's really up to whether you are looking for flexibility or stability.