Okay, so right now I have a computer good for getting things done, and that's about it. It is in no sense is an entertainment computer.
I'm running a Windows XP Home Edition, Version 2002. It has an Intel(R), Celeron(R) CPU 2.66GHz 2.67 GHz, and 504 MB of RAM.

My family has gotten two or three computers in the past but this is the only one I've gotten (somewhat) good at using, since I can remember. I don't know much about computers, so that's why I'm asking for suggestions.

I want a gaming computer, but I'm looking for something under $1000. I also would like a laptop, but I'm up for a desktop if needed.
Any questions please ask, like I said, I don't know much about computers so I'm sure I left something out.

You're not going to get that good of a computer for under 1000. It's possible to get something decent, but be warned; it's going to be obsolete when you get it, and pretty behind the times in a few years.

Beyond that, there's not much to suggest. I'd suggest going to Newegg or Tigerdirect, or some other online parts store, finding parts, seeing what they cost, and then POSTING IT HERE. Making sure parts will be able to fit together is key.

Now, before you get too scared, computer assembly is not as difficult as you imagine. But, if you really want a prebuilt, someone may find one for you. It won't be great, as I warned, and it won't be as good of a deal as if you'd bought the parts, but it is possible to get a decent rig without assembly.

If you get a desktop sans IO devices, $1000 will get you a sufficiently powerful computer. Assuming you have a keyboard, mouse, monitor, and speakers/headphones laying around.. Well then you can get quite a powerful rig, but most stores like to sell bundles, so unless you're proficient enough to build a computer, I would suggest you raise your price range to $2000 and get a really sufficient desktop.

Computers should last - If you're going to spend a lot of money, you had best make it worth the investment, even if it costs more than you want to spend.

I bought a laptop for $4000 after taxes, warranty, etc. to use as a desktop replacement. Toshiba Qosmio G30.. Had I spent about $250 more, I could've had the G35, which is superior not only in performance, but in support. Toshiba stopped caring about the G30, and now I'm stuck trying to find drivers that don't exist.

tl;dr - Expensive lasts longer*

Citation:
* Captain Samuel Vimes "Boots" theory of socioeconomic unfairness.

Oh.. And what kind of computer are you looking for? A moderately powerful, yet fancy looking one? Or a really powerful rectangular grey box?

Mine was 836. You lose good sir. With a grand, he could get an SLI board and another gpu, thereby making his computer a veritable beast.

Except he clearly stated he wanted a NEW computer, not upgrades for the old.

And, if he's not too computer-savvy, as he also clearly states, I doubt he's going to open up his computer and start replacing parts.

So actually you lose.

$836? Jesus christ. My desktop is nowhere near as good as Oph's, and I payed $500...then again, I assembled it myself, but....

What kind of gaming would you be doing on this? Are you interested in max-details on everything or does it not matter much?

If you're fine with medium details now and lower details on future games, you can build a pretty damn good computer for < $1000.

First of all, yes, I am looking for a new computer. To mine and my dad's knowledge the computer we have is not capable of being upgraded much past the amount of RAM.

Okay, so I'm getting the idea that it'd be better to make a computer on my own, right? So, that would mean assembly... I know you said something already Grif, but I still have doubts. It's really not that difficult?

The reason I can't go over $1000 is because it's taken about three years to even get my parents to think of getting me a computer. But since I'm going into High School next year, they're saying its time to get me a computer for my work... I don't want one for work. So the plan is I pay for half they pay the other.

Now, Virus, I don't care what it looks like, as long as it is within the price range and will be current for at least a year or two. I'm thinking a laptop may be the way to go because of portability and the fact that it has a keyboard and more importantly a monitor, but I'm assuming you guys are saying building a desktop is the way to go. I'd be more then happy with that if it works as well as I'd like.

Ah, paying for half. That's how I got my first computer. I got a job at McDonald's and was paid way under minimum wage, worked disgusting hours, and eventually earned my own computer.

While laptops are convenient with portability, they are inconvenient with price. In my experience, anyway, the price of a desktop that you build on your own can be as little as 10-15% of the cost of a laptop with the same specs. If you want to do any high-end gaming, a laptop will probably be a little too far on the expensive end.

Mine was brand new. Way to fail.

I play Crysis on high on mine at good FPS.

Okay then, so I'm content with a desktop at this point. Now, what do I want, get a computer, or build one? I like the idea of building one, but I don't know what I'd want or how to do it...

I need ideas on what to get, where to get the parts, what different things do, where they go one the computer and how the parts work.

Anyone up to the challenge? Anyone who succeeds with helping me gets a dollar.

If you're going to game, you'll probably want to build one yourself. Generic desktop computers are really cheap these days from vendors like Dell, but none of them really have good video cards.

Newegg is a good place to get computer parts for a decent price, with good customer support.

I can't really help you with the components and design, though, because I haven't built one in a long time.

If you'd like, I could give you my list of parts and you could take the list to a local comp shop, tell them that you'd like to order this ♥♥♥♥ off of newegg(where my entire computer is from) with a few upgrades if possible, but you'd like for them to build it. give them your price and etc. And if you find a cool shop, they'll be willing to show you how to build it.

There are websites that you can buy hardware from.

Places like http://www.newegg.com, http://www.tigerdirect.ca, etc. If you wish not to buy from an online vendor, the options decrease a fair bit. There are, however, still stores that specialize in computers, and offer things like cases, processors, hard drives (Generally found at most stores like radioshack, but most likely cheaper if you find an outlet store.), IO devices, video adapters, and more.

A quick bit of research will let you know what's new, and how much it costs. A safe bet is to buy something that is 2 or 3 steps below top of the line, because there's a massive price drop between the top, and 3 from the top.

There are guides all over the internet about building a computer, so that part shouldn't be too difficult, assuming you're skilled with a screwdriver.

Ophanim, you've stated that your computer is pretty much a juggernaut, right? You said you can run Crysis with high graphics?

And since I'd have no idea what to look for, I'd appreciate it a lot if you could give me a list. And you mentioned going to a shop. I understand the building part, but would I need to have them order it, or could I just order the parts from the websites?

Also, what if any of the parts are defective, or something like that? Do they have warranties?