In case no one is aware of this, the official CPU results for AMD and Intel processors is about a 600 MHz difference. Using SiSoft Sandra, an Athlon XP 1900+ running at 1.6 GHz gets the exact same score as a Pentium 4 running at 2.2 GHz. People underestimate how powerful Athlon XP processors are. They're also incredibly cheap compared to the same Pentium processor, not counting the fact that an Athlon XP compared to the same speed Pentium 4 is ridiculous.
I checked around, mainly on NewEgg, and I found it very easy to get an extremely good PC for under $1,000. In the end, I came up with these approximate results (you can find all of these parts on NewEgg, I don't feel like pasting them in):
Gigabyte VIA KT600 8x AGP, Onboard Sound and Network Card
Athlon XP 2400+ at 2.0 GHz
Global WIN Super Silent CPU Fan
8x GeForce FX 5900 Ultra 256 MB
40 GB Maxtor 7200 Hard Drive
52x24x52 Burner
Floppy
Mouse
Keyboard
RaidMax Case with 350w PSU
Crucial PC2700 DDR Ram 512MB
All of that is easily under $1,000. If you use your money wisely and don't waste it on an expensive mouse and keyboard or other crap, then your PC can be a powerhouse. That videocard is simply amazing, and the price is still under $1,000.
Whatever you do, go AMD. DO NOT buy an Intel processor if you value your money.
-Lasereth