$1k - 1.2K is plenty enough to build a powerful custom system. Some parts you can skid through, and upgrade other parts. I personally feel 2GB on a win xp system is plenty enough ram. I would get more HD space than the ram.
Something like a good build, other than the ones listed..
$200 for C2D Quad
$109.99 for Asus PK5/Intel P35
$60.99 2GB OCZ Reapers (2 x 1gb)
$60 Thermaltake 500w
$40 7200GS video
$69.99 320 GB Seagate SATAII 16mb cache
$80 500gb WD SATAII
$26 LG 22x DVD Burner
$10 card reader
$34 Athenatech case
$30 Wireless network card
$720.94
Throw in your $100 for XP, and get yourself a decent monitor, and your still below your mark.
Something like a good build, other than the ones listed..
$200 for C2D Quad
$109.99 for Asus PK5/Intel P35
$60.99 2GB OCZ Reapers (2 x 1gb)
$60 Thermaltake 500w
$40 7200GS video
$69.99 320 GB Seagate SATAII 16mb cache
$80 500gb WD SATAII
$26 LG 22x DVD Burner
$10 card reader
$34 Athenatech case
$30 Wireless network card
$720.94
Throw in your $100 for XP, and get yourself a decent monitor, and your still below your mark.