Amboni, check the cache size and speed on the CPU. The Intel chips currently out generally are running with a faster, larger cache than the (currently available) AMD ones and thus run much faster for CPU intensive operations (like rendering). As for graphics cards, try to find either a Consumer one with 16 or 32 MB RAM (64, unless you're using one of the Dell machines desinged to USE 64 MB correctly, is a waste of money - even the manufacturer's admit it, but release the cards because some power will pay for it anyway) or a professional one with at least 8 MB RAM on board. The chipset doesn't matter THAT MUCH for rendering (Voodoo and such are designed mostly for games), but the NVidia ones seem to be the best for most 3D applications. I've generally been happy with my ATI 8 MB card, though... ATI is supposed to release a new chip this fall that WILL (or so they claim) affect 3D rendering (if the software uses it), and especially animations by including interpolation codes on chip; until then (or maybe even after), only the highest level videocards affect renders.