1: A very good processor and a very good graphics card.

2: If you've never put together a computer before, with most modern computers (and components) it's a lot easier than it was in the past, but still the potential for breaking something can be fairly high for someone who's never done it before. And generally speaking, breaking something can be quite expensive.

You'll probably have to spend $1000+ for a gaming rig with quality parts that'll do what your wanting (very likely low balling that figure).  Half, possibly more than half, will just be the graphics card alone.

When I built my new computer in 2011, it cost me around $2500, and that was cutting out some of the stuff I wanted.

Having said that, $1000 for a computer that will run most everything Skyrim at peak sounds about right.

I recommend using sites like cyberpowerpc.com (there are others - sites that allow you to "build your own computer" and they put it together for you) to mix and match different components (they don't always have everything you'll want, but they're pretty good). Then take that list and buy the components and put it together yourself... it'll save a bunch of money doing that... but if you're worried about breaking something or putting it together wrong or whatever, you can buy it from them and they'll do it all professionally.

Do you mean breaking something by applying too much physical pressure? I don't need to worry about that, or cross threading anything; I do have a light touch when I need it, and experience enough using finely threaded parts.

On the other hand, if I'm going to spend that much on parts, and I have no interest in building them to sell for profit, I think I may just buy one to be put together professionally.

Thanks again, folks. BTW I saw one desktop on Ebay going for $9,999.99. I think that far too retarded. I can always add parts and stuff later and save big.

PS. Does anyone have a link to a site that plainly lists all parts that go into a computer of this magnitude?