Looking for a new computer? Before you gear up for your next purchase, determine what kind of power you need for the things you want to do. Here are some guidelines:

FOR THE FAMILY GAMER Gaming systems required juiced-up parts—the fastest processor (a 3-GHz dual-core Pentium for rapid speed and multitasking), mega RAM (1024 MB) and a large hard-drive that holds 200 to 400 GB for large gaming files. A sophisticated graphics card creates the best possible visuals. And don’t forget the surround-sound speakers. The cost of a primo gaming system runs upwards of $3,500—just for the processor.

FOR THE MEDIA MOGUL If you have family members who are into music and video, then a media center multi-media computer is in your future. The family can watch, pause and record live TV shows. Plus, it has ample space for photo files. Similar in requirements as a gaming computer, a multi-media computer features lots of memory for file storage of films, music and video streams, plus the software needed to do editing. A 3-GHz dual-core Pentium is a must. Media center PCs run $1,000 to $2,000.

FOR THE HOME OFFICE E-MAILER If you have a home office and need only to do simple applications such as word processing and spread sheets, as well as to surf the Net and e-mail friends, a lower power computer may meet your needs. Computer systems with slower processors, lower hard-drive storage, and less-sophisticated graphics capabilities also save you money (why pay for it if you won’t use it?). You can buy a basic computer set up for $300 to $1,000 depending on the type of screen you opt for.