Please check this system out. I'm planning on ordering this!
I am about to close the deal on my Athlon XP 3000+ water cooled computer for $1100 :)
This is what I want to purchase:
LITE-ON XJ-HD166S/XJ-HD165H 16X DVD ROM Drive - Retail $34
Lite On 52x32x52x Beige Color CDRW Drive LTR-52327S - Retail $40
Thermalright SLK-947-U $38
MAXTOR 120GB 7200RPM SATA HARD DRIVE MODEL # 6Y120M0 - OEM $110
Buffalo Technology 512MB 6 Layer PC3700 DDR Memory Module 32X8 (Winbond Module), DD466-512 - OEM X 2- $198
Intel Pentium 4 / 2.6CGHz 512k socket 478 Hyper Threading Technology 800 MHz FSB - RETAIL $205
POWERCOLOR ATI RADEON 9800 PRO 128MB DDR DVI+CRT+TV 8X AGP RETAIL
Total: $1094.47 including shipping.
Things I can easily replace/upgrade are heat sink, mobos, and memory (because of my field of work)... so I can skimp on those a bit.
I was thinking about going with the 2500+ and overclocking it, which would save me around $100... but I think I'll pass. I want to see what a 2.6C HT can do!
If things go well and it performs like a tiger, I'll put it in the classifieds and sell this baby for $1400 and start the process over.
Another thing I can probably do is hold off for a month... if not longer, but usually the money will be spent on something else :( I have a 2.4B @ 3.34Ghz, 1GB of HyperX PC3500, 160GB of WD/Maxtor storage space, and MSI ti4600 to keep me busy.
Any suggestions? :)