Most benchmarking tools today base their performance on gaming pc's. So it is not surprising that an ideal gaming pc should be the latest specifications pc. a high performance gaming pc would range from an average of $2000 to $6000. This is pretty high for an average PC user. Yet, for an extreme gamer, the price range is probably worth every cent. The following is a specification for the Area 51 ALX PC:

Intel® Core™ 2 Extreme X6800 2.93GHz 4MB Cache 1066MHz FSB
Windows® XP Media Center Edition
2GB DDR2 Performance SDRAM at 800MHz
250GB SATA 3Gb/s 7,200 RPM w/ 8MB Cache
Dual 512MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 7900 GTX
High Performance 7.1 Audio

This type of specifications can run most, if not all, of the pc games available in the market today with the highest graphics, sound and configuration settings. Now that's gaming.

However, if cost is a concern, then perhaps a high to medium end pc would also serve for gaming purposes. Taking out the dual core processor and placing an intel p4 3.2ghz or an amd equivalent will have comparable performance depending on the game you want to play. Other things that can have lower specs would be the hardisk, sounds system, and in some cases, the RAM. However, for gaming purposes, it is recommended that videocards should be the lastest or, if not, the next lastest. The following are the recommended specifications to run Elder IV: Oblivion (A high graphic intensive game)

3 Ghz Intel Pentium 4 or equivalent processor
1 GB System RAM
ATI X800 series, NVIDIA GeForce 6800 series, or higher video card

This type of specification is not bad at all for those type who are looking for low cost pc. This can probably fetch for less than $1000 or in some good deals, less than $500. Not bad at all. Also, be warned that while most recommended specs for games can RUN the game iteself. It doesnt necessarily mean that it can run well with full settings. And that is the difference between a so-so gaming pc and an extreme gaming pc.

Moving on, the same low cost gaming pc would also do well for most type of PC use. May it be office, applications, development, internet, multimedia and in some cases, graphic designs. So it is not surprising that most people tend to buy the "average speed" pc. Please do not confuse the word "average speed" to the pc's actual speed. Satisfaction on a PCs performance is solely based on it's function. For example, an extreme user may say the latter specs listed is quite "low" in speed but an internet user can also say it is very fast if the internet connection of that user is a T1 connection. Or an applications developer can say that it is enough but an 3d graphics designer would say "it needs more processing power".

No matter what brand you use, PCs specifications will always depend on the function it will serve. Satisfaction of a pc user will always depend whether the desktop he bought actually serves his need (and some..). In the end, when buying a pc, always bear in mind the first question that you should ask yourself..."For what purpose am I buying a PC"..