Some tech advice please?

Okay, my PC is on its way out, I think. It's had a good innings & is over 5 years old (yeah, practically a dinosaur!) But it's really chugging along these days & spontaneously showing a blue screen & shutting itself down when it feels like it. I did have some extra RAM & another HD added to it last year but I think it may be time to bite the bullet & get a new machine.
I have broadband & download a lot of stuff like tv eps, so I want something that's going to be fast & not chug along. I don't actually watch much on the PC, preferring to burn stuff to disc & watch with Mr B on the telly. But I do watch the occasional song vid, short interview, etc. I don't play games or anything like that.
I make manips using Adobe, which take up a lot of space & so really need a big hard drive.
So - what sort of requirements should I have when I go shopping?
What size RAM would be best? Does the kind of processor make a discernible difference? Or the graphics card? Any makes/models I should steer clear of, anything you'd rec?
I'm only semi-techno!literate so would appreciate any advice, thanks. :-)

Some tech advice please?

Okay, my PC is on its way out, I think. It's had a good innings & is over 5 years old (yeah, practically a dinosaur!) But it's really chugging along these days & spontaneously showing a blue screen & shutting itself down when it feels like it. I did have some extra RAM & another HD added to it last year but I think it may be time to bite the bullet & get a new machine.
I have broadband & download a lot of stuff like tv eps, so I want something that's going to be fast & not chug along. I don't actually watch much on the PC, preferring to burn stuff to disc & watch with Mr B on the telly. But I do watch the occasional song vid, short interview, etc. I don't play games or anything like that.
I make manips using Adobe, which take up a lot of space & so really need a big hard drive.
So - what sort of requirements should I have when I go shopping?
What size RAM would be best? Does the kind of processor make a discernible difference? Or the graphics card? Any makes/models I should steer clear of, anything you'd rec?
I'm only semi-techno!literate so would appreciate any advice, thanks. :-)