I don't think he'll be close to $3k. He said he's going with the recommendations in the thread so they would be something like this:
Code:
Processor i7 920 $280
Heat Sink $70
Mobo $250
Case Antec 900 $100
RAM 6GB DDR3 $120
PSU 750W $120
SSD 80GB X-25 M $230
HDD 1TB $100
Total $1,270
I'm not sure what GPU he's getting but I doubt it will be more than $500. Therefore the cost is about $1,800 before software and whatever the guy is charging for assembly. If his guy ends up charging that much he's screwing him on the assembly fee.