*lol* me too - i'm slowly building a new PC since the old clunker I have won't play the current games anymore.

Alienware makes really nice computers, however they are -expensive- !! But, once you start getting into the 'gaming' systems, that seems to be the trend. What you might want to consider doing, is talking to some nerdy friends, and asking them what computer store they would recommend (as you might get better bang-for-your-buck going to a smaller store and getting one custom built than you will going to BestBuy or Circuit City and getting a PC there). I'd talk to some of these computer store people about what you are looking for, and what they would recommend in your price range.

Once you start getting into custom built, you're looking at specific models and components - do research through computer forums, and on google about specifics to see how they work, problems etc. (since if you're looking at spending the money on a gaming PC, then you want to make sure you're getting good components).

I personally like Abit for motherboards, and Antec for cases -- and then theres the CPU, Ram, Hard drive(s), removable media drives, cooling fans or cooling systems, funky-cool lighting inside (if you really want to get fancy!)

Heres some 'gaming' hardware listed on Tigerdirect.com)

Hopefully that helps -- Good luck!