So I'm looking to buy a new desktop computer for my house, but I honestly have no idea where to start, what is good, what is trash, what a good deal is, etc? I've basically been given work laptops for the last 5 years, and just dealt with whatever it was, so I never really researched it.

Now, I'm not going to be doing anything very fancy schmancy here, just your typical internet browsing, emailing, periodic gaming like DII and DIII, when it comes out. I don't want garbage, but I don't need top of the line.

Anyone have favorite brands? Why?

What is the minimum system requirements I should look for to have a solid gaming computer, since I know that will carry me for whatever other uses I have too.