""There are many already pre-configured high-end computers that already have all of the necessary features for about $1000 to $1200. You may actually save money and time by considering a pre-configured computer."""

Disagree 100,000x over.  This was covered in Acadias thread as well I think.  There is no sense whatsoever in buying a "box" computer if you feel you are up to the challenge of plugging in a couple of wires yourself.   Especially if the PC is intended for gaming or graphics.  Box computers come pre-installed with a whole slew of worthless garbage software that likes to insist on running in the background and consuming memory.  You can adjust settings in msconfig but if your going to go that far - again - you might as well have built your own.

I am:  aka Velocity3d