For fairly cheap (1200-1400) you can get a pretty leet system(without monitor).

-Mobo of your choice, supports AthelonXP's (depends on the features you want)
-AMD AthelonXP 2700+(or w/e the speed, Athelonxp is super easy to overclock, just go into bios, and increase frequency... baM!)
-512MB DDR (in dual channel, 2x256sticks) or 1024gb (DC2x512) (dual channel if your mobo supports it)
-Radeon 9600XT(Can play everything....)
-Sound Blaster Live! 5.1
-80GB Western Digital SE HD(or w/e size you want)
-DVD-ROM Drive
-52x Burner
-Give yourself like 150 for your case of choice (thermaltake's are leet!)

If you're not gonna get a pc soon, I find making a pc very frustrating... since you make this tight ass pc for not so much money and you can't have it...