PC + Mac Gaming

So, back in the day, I used to be a very active PC gamer. Running "Network Games" LAN parties and everything. I even have a legacy in regards to this. The thing is, there was this PC Game "rut" that happened. Say, at around 2000. 2001. _{Or maybe I just got a cushy government job and tried to cleanse myself of this gaming addiction, and well, we all know how well that worked out.} At around this time, the Mac came out with a *ix-based operating system. So what's any girl supposed to do, but switch OSes? In the end, if you can't "ls" at a command prompt, you aren't running an OS worth a damn anyway.

So I switched.

For about 6 years, I've been very happy with this. I even bought myself a sweet G5 to show how happy I was.

Thing is... now PC games are good again and they look to be on the upward swing.. that, and I miss all my virtual-friends there.. It's like we'll be talking and they'll be like, "Oh you haven't played this????" (weird stare)... so I feel guilty. Everyone else is doing it... . .

So I'm going intel chipset. Dual booting. I'm convinced of this. I can't abandon the Mac completely.. but for Hellgate: London I'd do just about anything. Except, well.. I'll leave that to your imagination.

The dilemma is thus:

Power Mac Desktops feature an antiquated design. I just can't justify buying the same looking machine. I just can't. There's something about, "Well, why don't you fly to Akihabara and buy the parts off the black market and build a new intel machine yourself? It'd probably be cheaper, more fun, and look about the same." And, really, that'd be pretty funny.

The new iMacs are sweet looking but I don't think they have a good enough video card. Nor do I know how easy it would be to upgrade said video card. Also, I plan on going back for my PhD in a year, or so, so having a reduced footprint machine is great for travel/home use. My G5 takes up 90% of the space in my trunk, I have no back seat, and my passenger seat is for my purse. So, it's a bit of a pain in my ass, y'know? I like the reduced footprint of the iMac.. but the inability to upgrade? G'ah....! :(

I know I'm going to wait for January (new systems released) but... to iMac or not to iMac, that is the question.

Anyone out there game with a dual-booted Mac have some ideas? Help!