I am in the market for a new computer that will work well with Chief Architect.

[lbuttery]

$2000 every 2 years

I would consider this a near top-end system

one can always spend $$$$ and be top-end
probably overkill and probably a waste of money

a nice middle of the road system for a 4 year time frame
should be approx. $1500

I used to spend $2000+ for a 4 year system and around 2008
dropped my "needs" to the $1500 range

so all depends on your needs for renders and raytraces
and how detailed your models are

Lew