Making blanket suggestions for others is an almost impossible task. The name brand computers all seem to do a good job these days and they offer upgrades too for reasonable prices. A is factor here is that these computers come with a load of software including the operating system. Yes, some stuff is useless but the computer comes ready for action except for an anti virus program.

However if you want something more then building or having someone build might be the way to go. Having a computer built is risky because if you fail to identify the make and brand of any component then that part will no doubt be the weakest link in your new machine, went that route once many years ago.

The most difficult task when building yourself is parts selection and compatibility. Assembly is much like Lego only with more expensive parts that make a first time builder nervous.

As you expressly mention video cards, they have come a long way. My new build running Windows 7 pre-release has a Sapphire Radeon 4870 with 1 gig of DDR5 onboard. But a card of that nature needs 2 - 4 pin power connectors and a minimum of 500 watt power supply. This card has 2 DVI connectors too. The downside of course is the US$150 price tag. The upside was Canadian$705 for 4gigs of RAM, Gigabyte motherboard, the video card, AMD Phenom II x3 processor and 700watt power supply. I used an old case to save about $50. So adding the Can$140 for Windows 7 I have a good computer for $850. This assumes your old monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers and webcam are good enough to move over to the new machine.

As this is a business computer and I think tax laws are similar in the US to Canada you should consider buying before year end. Write off is 30% annually but in Canada the first year or part therof is less write off so the smaller amount of the year left, the smaller the penalty as it were.

Ford? Chevrolet? Foreign? Domestic? Two-door? Four-door?

As Owbist reports, it is almost impossible to recommend a specific system. What I personally do, both in person and on forums, is to recommend the user research on his/her own, and narrow the field to specific manufacturers and models that they are interested in. Armed with this narrower information it is much easier for members to make recommendations and suggestions.

DA