How much computer should I get??

Poke around Microcenter's website for a deal on a new desktop.

http://www.microcenter.com/search/search_results.phtml?...

Are you going to buy a pre-built one or build it yourself? If there is a Micro Center near where you live, that's the best possible deal for do-it-yourself.

There are two philosphies for upgrading computers in my opinion:
1) Buy Awesome and upgrade when no longer awesome/old. That's the rout your $800 computer fallows.
2) Buy a deal and upgrade when it stops getting the job done. That will run you $300-$400 and you can upgrade every couple years.

If you want to build one, we can recommend parts. If you want to buy one, tell us which of options 1 or 2 you want and we can make suggestions.

jomoreb builds computers (http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/101313-8-blazing-fast...). I don't know about his prices, so you can ask around here if his prices are good. They'll definitely beat OEM (HP, Dell, etc.) prices.

I was born beitcertified.

Go to Wal-Mart and buy the $299 eMachine.

It depends on you and your thought. Economic stability or tax rates that apply by the Govt put Walmart and the $299 machine at the very top of my list of computers to buy. I have $500 left over for new patio furnitire and a cactus too. Yes sir.