The IDE Dream Machine

The only limit to this machine is its IDE configuration. Everything else is about as good as it gets, within reason.

• AMD Setup:
• CPU: Athlon 64 FX 53 2.4 GHz
• Motherboard: MSI K8N Neo Platinum (nForce 3-250 chipset).
• Intel Setup:
• CPU: Pentium 4 3.4GHz Extreme Edition (or save a lot of money and get the regular Prescott version [not Extreme])
• Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-8PENXP (i865PE chipset)
• CPU Heatsink/Fan:  Thermalright SLK948U Copper Heatsink for Intel or AMD with a Thermaltake Smart Fan 2.
• RAM: Two Corsair XMS 512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM DIMMs for a total of 1 GB (model CMX512-3200C2). Or get their faster speeds, but not really necessary.
• Hard Drive:  Western Digital Raptor WD740GD 74 GB 10,000 rpm Serial ATA hard drive with 8 MB Cache Memory, or two of these in a RAID 0 configuration.  If you need more storage space, get a 250 GB Hitachi Deskstar HDS722525x as a secondary hard drive.
• Video Card:  ATI Radeon X800 XT Platinum card with 256 MB RAM.
• Case:  A Cooler Master or Lian-Li case (Antec Sonata case is an excellent option for a lower cost)
• Modem: 3Com/US Robotics External FaxModem Pro (USB/Serial). 
• Monitor: 21" Sony GDM-F520 monitor with .22 dpi FD Trinitron tube (very expensive). (or lower cost Sony CPD-G520 21" monitor). 
• CD-ROM Drive:  Lite-On 52x CD-ROM drive.
  OR:
  DVD-ROM Drive: Pioneer 16x DVD-ROM Drive (DVD-120).
  AND:
  CD Burner: Lite-On LTR-52327S - 52x write, 32x rewrite (or SOHC-5232K which also reads DVDs).
  OR:
  DVD Burner:  Toshiba SD-R5272 or for less money (and still a great drive) the NuTech DDW-082
• Sound Card:  Creative Labs SoundBlaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum (or Platinum Pro - external box, even more connections).
• Speakers:  Logitech Z-680 5.1 speaker set.
• Backup:  Iomega IDE Zip Drive (100 MB or 250 MB).
• Floppy Drive:  Teac 1.44.
• Mouse: Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer USB (or wireless) or IntelliMouse Optical.
• Keyboard:  Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro USB or PS/2.
• Printer:
• For Best Photo Prints (and excellent text and graphics): Canon i960.
• For Best Text Prints (and excellent photos): HP PhotoSmart 7960.

Options:

• Scanner: MicroTek Scanmaker 5600 Scanner.
• Digital Camera:  Canon G3 or G5 (full-featured) or Canon S50 (more compact)
• Digital Camcorder: Sony TRV70 or Panasonic PV-DV953 3 CCD camcorder
• UPS: APS Smart-UPS 700Net Battery Backup.
• Game Controller: Gravis Xterminator Force Feedback Game Pad or Microsoft SideWinder Freestyle Pro USB Game Pad or Microsoft's GamePad Pro.
• Joystick:  Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback 2
• Steering Wheel:  Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel USB