Build your own super PC

PC makers are improving their online workbenches for buyers who want a high-powered but relatively inexpensive desktop PC.Manufacturers have online worksheets that allow you to set your own specifications, from the case to the central processing unit to the motherboard to video and graphics cards and on down to the best optical storage drives. The worksheets keep track of the price for each component and come up with a total at the end.Building your own PC doesn't cost you anything, and you're almost guaranteed to learn a great deal. Select five or 10 models, press the "customize" button and get to work.Everybody has a definition of a super PC. For me, a super PC has one fast processor, a motherboard and chip set that allows the processor to perform optimally; enough RAM to run multiple applications simultaneously without a slowdown; a fast and capacious hard drive; one or two optical drives capable of performing both CD and DVD read/write/rewrite tasks; and top-quality video and sound cards. Good dial-up or network communications options round up the list of basics.But there are dozens of other options you'll want to sift through. Clearly, you'll want to match the PC with a great monitor, sound card and speakers, multitasking OS and applications. Plan on spending $3,000 or more once you've filled in all the blanks.But hey, it's a super PC, right?