[Dementia]

i'd definetly build then dude. a lot of people don't build because they are intimidated by it, but really, anyone can who does a little bit of research in selecting their parts. plus you'll save $$$. the best thing is you can build your PC around whatever you need it for, yeah 'Dell' will offer customization, but keep in mind most of their parts are proprietary and leave little or no room for upgrade after purchase *unless you buy from them and pay 25% extra*

i'd definetly select a dual-core processor. The latest Intel Core 2 Duo or the top AMD will do. 2GB RAM. The type of video card depends on how extensively you game (if at all), etc. From there it's all cake. If you need help selecting compatible parts or need an inventory of everything you'd need, drop me a line.