High end computers are generally custom build, and not bought from stores. These computers are usually quite expensive, and can cost upwards of $4000. They will feature advanced components, such as large amounts of RAM (Generally a large amount of RAM is considered to be more than 2 gigabytes), high end graphics processors, and powerful CPUs.
	Motherboards greatly affect system performance. The mother board literally ties every component of the computer together. It uses a printed circuit board to carry signals from every peripheral and component to the CPU, allowing communication between components. The most advanced desktop motherboards can currently hold up to three graphics cards, allowing for quad-SLI (SLI means Scaled Link Interface, and is Nvidia’s method of linking two graphics processors together as to allow them to spread the load of graphics processing among themselves; ATI has a similar platform called Crossfire). Most motherboards for desktops can hold 8 Gigs (gigabytes) of RAM, but server motherboards can hold far more; up to about 30 Gigs.
		Custom computers generally need custom housing. Modern computer cases for custom computers generally feature many intakes and exhaust fans, since high powered computers need ventilation for their hot parts. However, it is also possible to cool components with water cooling or phase change coolers (these coolers can keep a heavily over-clocked CPU running under full load at sub-zero temperatures), but they are generally more expensive than simple air cooling. While the Coolermaster Stacker (pictured) has much space available for fans, it is also an incredible dust magnet. Other cases provide slightly more efficient cooling.
	The graphics card is one of the most important parts of a computer, especially to gamers. Without the graphics card, it would be impossib      le to see anything on the screen (of course, with the exception of integrated graphics, however these cannot run most modern games). Graphics card technology is increasing, with Nvidia’s recent release of the 8 Chipset. During the period of Nvidia’s 7 Chipset, there was a graphics card called the 7950GX2. This card made Quad-SLI possible. The 7950GX2 has two graphics processors on one card. However, it had a fatal design flaw with cooling, and was shortly discontinued afterwards. The 8800 (pictured), is the most recent installation in Nvidia’s graphics card series. It currently is the only card on the market to support Direct X 10 (a graphics API set). Direct X 10 offers amazing graphics, and therefore require a powerful graphics processor, such as the 8800. ATI currently does not have any Direct X 10 cards, however they will eventually release some.
		RAM allows systems to hold memory, which is required for pretty much any process that leaves a footprint. Since every running application requires some usage of memory, if one has very few RAM, one cannot run as many processes as a computer with much RAM. Thus, servers require more RAM than the average desktop computer, as servers must handle the stress load of many simultaneous connections. More RAM generally equates to a faster system, however system speed depends of various other components as well.
	The CPU is the center of a high end computer. A single inadequate component can cause bottlenecking if the CPU is more powerful than the other components. Currently, Quad-Core processors are the most powerful CPUs for the desktop market. These feature the most processing power, as they essentially have 4 processors in one chip. However, since the processors are rather far apart (in processor terms), there is substantial lag, and the processor actually cannot process at it’s full potential. There are two large names in the processor market: Intel and AMD. While there will most likely never be an end to the debate over which is the superior company, it is certain that they both develop solid processors.