I just built a Quad-core Q6600, Gigabyte MB, Nvidia GTX260 with 4 gig of performance memory for about 500 bucks through newegg. I have everything screeming over-clocked.
Gets Benchmark scores rivaling the top line pc’s.
Used my old case, HD’s and PSU.
If i had to buy that stuff also maybe 200 bucks more.
Ahh the good old days : ) I remember soldering extra heat sinks and fans and keeping the room ice cold.
I think I spent over $800 on Ram alone for my system. I have found that extra Ram is better than faster clock speed for my purposes (lots of apps running at once).
To each his own but I am getting old and lazy. I just want the system to work and not cause me any problems. I like that I can let my wife and kids on the system with almost no worries (they don't have the root control password) and since the system automatically backs up, I have a hard time seeing what might ruin my day.