sigh

I really want to purchase a gaming computer. All sorts of really good games are available that I just cannot play. The Nintendo Wii continues to disappoint. I’d like to get a good computer or an XBox 360, although I believe that online services are typically cheaper on the PC (thinking about Steam here).

The games that I want to be able to play are many, but here is a preliminary list:

Games I Want to Play:

Grand Theft Auto IV (PC/XBox 360) Team Fortress 2 (PC/XBox 360) Left 4 Dead (PC/XBox 360) Half-Life 2: Episode 3 (PC/XBox 360) Assassin’s Creed (PC/XBox 360) Bioshock (PC/XBox 360) Starcraft II (PC) Resident Evil 5 (XBox 360/PC?)

Does anyone know what sorts of specs I should be shooting for in buying a good gaming computer? I haven’t bought a new computer in years and years, so…I’m not sure how far ahead of today’s suggested system requirements for games I should be shooting. (i.e. if it says I need a Dual Core, should I go for Quad Core, etc.)