Some questions to ask to ensure your computer is upgradable for the next year or two.
1) Does the Motherboard support DDR II RAM up too 8Gb and PC2-6400?
2) Does the motherboard have at least PCI-Express x16 slot?
3) Does the motherboard support Duel Core CPU's?
4) Does the PSU have at least 520W? (600W is ideal)
5) Does the copy of Windows XP supplied come with a Vista upgrade coupon?
Reasons:
1) DDRII RAM is the new standard, and PC2-6400 is double the speed of standard DDRII.
2) This is the fastest and therefore the most compatible PCI-E standard currently around.
3) Duel Cores are the future of computing now, in a few years uni-core CPU's will likly be hard to come by.
4) Cards like the nVidia 8800 require a heafty PSU, recommended is 600W, the minimum is 500W. This might change as the graphics cards become more standard, but to ensure that your computer will definately handle an 8xxx series graphics card it's best to get a good powerful PSU.
5) Windows XP OEM are sold to manufactures with upgrade coupons these days, so if you get Windows XP home, you will be intitled to an upgrade to Windows Vista Basic Editing (which lacks things like the transparant interface). I recommend, if possible, you get a copy of Windows XP OEM Media Center Edition supplied with the PC, because this allows you to upgrade to Windows Vista Premium Home Edition, which will cover all your entertainment needs. You could get a system With Windows XP Professional, which will give you the option to upgrade to Windows Vista Buisness Edition, which boasts additional secuity features, and other buisness tools, but at the same time it lacks the entertainment features of Premium Home Edition. Ensure you have this option, though it's better to get one of these, then it is to pay the full or upgrade price Vista will charge when it comes out.
