It's nice to dream. If money really were no object and you were going out to buy a new PC, what would you pick? You can now get a really top-spec PC for around £2,000 and some manufacturers will offer something similarly stunning for a lot less.

Any PC is only as good as the components it's made from and there's a long list of the bits you should check out before buying. You start with the processor and memory, of course, as this is the heart-blood of the machine. Nearly as important these days, though, is the graphics adapter. This powerful piece of hardware works with the processor to provide the 2D and 3D graphics so important to modern applications, like video editing, DVD playback and, of course, games. Mainly games, in fact, if we're honest.

A fast hard drive is an important component of any PC, although capacities are now so large that you're unlikely to fill one, unless you're editing vast tracts of digital video - and one PC in particular, tested here, could do just that. More important to the versatility of the machine are the CD/DVD drives fitted to it. A CD-RW drive provides high-capacity backup, while a good DVD drive gives you access to an ever-increasing range of high-definition movies. You'll need a good monitor to view them on, though.

Sound is just as important and PC sound can now rival medium range hi-fi systems. Many computer sound cards include Dolby Digital sound decoders for that little extra experience when playing games or watching films.

Got all that? Right, here are six machines to make you drool - some at prices to make you shiver. Click the 'NEXT' link below to find out more.