CPU/Processor.

Components recommended are Intel Pentium IV, or Intel Celeron. The higher the MHz (Mega Hertz) of this part the better performance. Usually the very fastest Pentium chip is VERY expensive. A good alternative is the 2nd fastest chip. AMD also makes good processors, but in our experience, Pentium's tend to me more stable. Note: If your CPU does not come with a heat sink, you will need to buy part separately.They usually come with one though.

Motherboard or Main board.

Recommended Brands: Abit, Asus,Asrock,Biostar or MSI .Any one of these companies makes solid motherboards. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT YOU MAKE SURE YOUR MOTHERBOARD SUPPORTS THE CPU YOU HAVE CHOSEN! We needed an ATX motherboard.

Memory/RAM..

Recommended: RAM (Random Access Memory). This should be anywhere from 512MB to 2GB. The more the merrier.At least 1GB is recommended.

Video Card/Graphics Adapter.

Many of the motherboard's come with built in video cards, however, if . you intend to play a lot of games or if you do graphics you will need an external Video card which has extra memory and which are designed for heavy graphics.

Sound Card.

This component like video cards come integrated on the Mother Board. There is no need for an external sound card unless you intend to play a lot of music or if you are into arranging music, There are many brands on the market and you may have to buy an alternative part.

Modem.

Recommended :Many mother Boards also come with built in Modems. However this mode of interneting is fast changing where Broadband is fast becoming the norm. If however you still use Dial up, then you will need a modem. make sure your Mother Board comes with one other wise you will need to buy one

Hard Drive.

This component is also changing and holding larger amounts of data. The choice is between the old ATA drives which are a little slower and SATS or PATA drives. Which ever you choose, ensure that the Mother Board can accept the drive since the SATA and PATA drives have different types of jacks as against the IDE cables currently used by most persons.