Don't build it yourself!
I've been building computers since the early 90's (for myself, friends, family and businesses) and what people fail to mention/realize is that you have to have the ability to troubleshoot and maintain these systems during the build and after. What about a warranty? Sure, the individual parts are warrantied but would you know what to replace or look for if your system didn't boot one day?
The trouble with buying from Dell, HP and others is the incredible amount of bloatware that comes preinstalled on them as well as some inferior components. Apple - overpriced for the components and usually a generation behind on the latest graphics cards, cpus, etc.
I'm currently using a system that I built but am going to go the route of buying from an online custom builder. I am just waiting on the Sandy Bridge processor problem to get fixed and the new Z68 motherboards which address a few issues themselves. Probably (hopefully) sometime in April.
You could get a system with an i7 2600k cpu, 128GB solid stated primary HD, 1TB secondary HD, 8-16 GB of RAM, Blu-Ray player, and a GeForce GTX 470 video card (I know he can get faster than that but I'm not sure if they are Adobe certified) for $1500-1750.
Just my 2cents.
