So after a few months of debating between a PS3, a PC, or just getting 360 games, I've decided to go with a PC. Only problem is, I know very little when it comes to PC (I know RAM and Hard Drives, but when it comes to Video Cards, Sound Cards and stuff, I'm clueless. Don't even know the difference between CPU and a Motherboard...)

No one can predict the future and no computer is future proof and on a $700 budget you are quite limited; you will most likely need to eventually upgrade the graphics card in the system at the very least. Also if you only have very limited minimal knowledge how do you expect to assemble it, you will most likely need someone else to do it for you. Nevertheless the following links are to a build I created for someone else on these forums; it comes out to about $600 after mail in rebates plus shipping, however this system assumes you will be reusing your old keyboard, mouse and monitor as well as you have your own means of an operating system and was built with Windows XP 32bit in mind (Hence the 3gigs of RAM), also you need to know that you will not be getting 60FPS in Crysis on High settings. If you don't have Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor and OS thats atleast another $200-250; PC gaming isn't the cheapest hobby or means for gaming.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231143 - 3 Sticks of this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130468
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341018
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128380

How long a system will last someone is quite subjective as everyone has different expectations from their PC gaming; me personally usually do a video card upgrade every other generation of card and often replace/upgrade hard drives whenever I run low on space. But then again I kinda gave up on PC gaming as there hasn't been anything that peeked my interest besides Cryostasis which my PC can run fine and with Diablo 3 and Starcraft 2 coming from Blizzard I am not worried about requirements as they design their games to run on lower end machines.

I do know how to assemble a computer and which part goes where, but as far as specs go, my knowledge is limited.

I have no interest in building the ultimate gaming god machine. Something that can run a game like Left 4 Dead or something on mid-to-high settings now, and will last for a couple of years.

Thanks for the repl though.

I recomend geting computer off this site.You can custoomize the thing as much as you want,but they put it together for you and ship it to you.
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/ULTRA9900

You said you didn't know the difference between a CPU and Mobo, so figured it would be best to have someone else do it for you :p

However that system will run L4D fine on medium resolutions and at medium/high settings; will every part still be viable in 3 years that subjective but i'd say everything besides the video card should not need to be upgraded in that time, video card in maybe 1.5 or so and if you went with Windows 7 when it releases you may want another gig of RAM or so.

Yeah, for the price, that seems like it's the best I can do.

Subject2Change's build is really decent for the limited budget.  For extra keyboards, mouses, and the like, I'd recommend stopping by any local government or major office buildings.  Sometimes, you'll strike gold and they'll be getting rid of a few for a cheap price.  I picked up a spare monitor once from a local government office for about $15.  You never know.

Anyways, newegg is also well worth checking out.  I'd also recommend scoping out computers at Costco or Sam's Club.  Sometimes you can pick up a nice PC minus a good graphics card for dirt cheap from places like that, and if you buy the basics now and upgrade the graphics card later, you'll wind up with a great PC in progress.

I know its a bit more expensive but I just bought and built this computer and it runs SWEET. Crysis flies.

the best GPU you can get is the ATI Radeon HD4890, this is an awsome bit of equipment, because if in the future u want to upgrade ur graphics, u can just buy another one and combine them, i think you can combine up too four of them, tht will future proof you,

http://ati.amd.com/products/radeonhd4800/overview-4890.html