db7 Thanks for your initial reply. My PC max's out @ 8GB of RAM. Is that enough for SQL Server, ASP.NET & Visual Studio 2012?

I am thinking of purchasing a server to help me learn ASP.NET, ASP.NET MVC & SQL Server 2012 database programming (triggers, stored procedures, etc.). My goal is to learn true 3-tier development and database-centric web development. I am now in a C# certificate program. My question is basically, can I accomplish all my goals with my PC? Would a server be an aid or merely complicate my life unnecessarily?

Thank you, Jazz Engineer Steve