The following 4 system reviews cover almost every possible base in system design.  Start off loking at OCIA's dream system setup, and picture yourself eating Spam for a while, until you manage to pay off the bills.  Or go for a more mainstream system, a budget system, or a very quiet one, your choice.

"Carrying over from the mainstream guide is the AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+. This chip is clocked from

the factory at 2.0 GHz (10 x 200) but is capable of MUCH more. From an overclocker's perspective,

I see no reason in purchasing a "faster" model X2. Why? Simple... take the X2 4800+ (clocked at

2.4 GHz), currently retailing for over $600. With good air cooling, most 3800+ chips are capable

of well over 2.4 GHz."

Here are some more Systems articles from around the web:

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• TARGET="_blank">Mainstream System Building Guide @ OCIA.net

  
  
• Ars

System Guide: Ultimate Budget Box @ Ars Technica

Fanless Powerhouse System @ SPCR