If you really want fast HDs, get SCSI (you can afford it on a budget like that). Or if you insist on SATA, at least get a real RAID card, like a 3ware. Something that does RAID in hardware. Don't bother with RAID-0. It's completely pointless. If I'm doing RAID, it's RAID-1 or RAID-5.
I agree with not cheaping out on cases. My new $100 Lian Li case kicks ass. It's quieter, does a much better job of cooling, and it's easier to manage too.
I also agree that Dell LCDs kick ass. Relatively cheap and extremely high quality. I swear by my 2001FP and the 2405FPW I had at work. Beautiful monitors. Nothing else I've ever used compares. And there's nothing more important than your eyes when you're using a computer (well, except perhaps your body).
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"There are finer fish in the sea than have ever been caught." -- Irish proverb
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