>Does anyone have any recommendations to make on building your own computer? I came across an article at:
>
>http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,1549122,00.asp
>
>on how to build your own gaming machine for under $1,000. What I would like to do is build my own machine, but I'll be using it to develop with Windows XP Professional, Visual Studio.NET, and SQL Server 2000. I am assuming that in a development machine, hard drive performance is more important than graphics performance, but is that true?

Many years ago you could put togther a much better machine for ALOT less money than a Dell or IBM pre-built. But, at todays prices I would recommend against it. You can get a great machine for under $1000 from Dell direct online. I have also bought several E-Machines and they have been excellent. As a matter of fact, this past Christmas I bought 2 e-machines, one for each of my sons for $620 ish with great specs.

The advantage to pre built is warranty, tech support, inclusion of an operating system, bundled software... and the best thing is that all the components included work togther and are configured.

Anyway, that is my two cents, YMMV.

BOb