Dude, definately build your own. You will learn so much and you will get a computer much better for the price, especially in the price range your looking at. However, if you do want to buy, get it custom built at a local "mom-and-pop" computer store. Don't go through Best Buy, Circuit City, or any other big-name store. And what ever you do, i am WARNING you, DON'T get an HP!!