Well a good video card will cost you $200+ but if you are willing to wait on the video card you can build a pretty good system.
$320 i7 2600k (the best right now)
Newegg.com - Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I72600K
$200 motherboard
$100 8Gb ram in (2x4)
$100 for a hard drive
= $650 after taxes.
This would be a very* fast system. Far faster than my 2.5 year old i7 920.
If you need a new PSU then you can find one pretty cheap OR just wait until you have a clean $1000 saved up and get a smoking fast video card to match for $300.
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Those he commands move only in command, Nothing in love. Now does he feel his title, Hang loose about him, like a giant’s robe, Upon a dwarfish
treasonous thief.