Computer Chess

3 types:

Engine Chess: Tune your engine to make it play better chess, most people don't know how to do this.
Hardware Chess: Assemble your own custom hardware into playing good chess. Good if you're rich you can get the latest parts esp. CPUs.
Book/Opening Chess: Tune your opening books so that your Hardware/Engine Combo can play good chess. This is the most 'engine players' do (and what I also do), if book is good enough you can beat faster hardware and stronger engine.

Softwares I mostly use:
Rybka 3
Fritz GUI
Chessbase 9

Hardware I use:
Intel Quad Core Q9550, yup that's all and my only prized possession :-)