Thank you for the great responses.
My gut and my sense of adventure tell me to be bold and brave and build my own computer.
I do think I'll give it a try!
There is a pretty good computer store (or so I'm told) close by that might be a good resource. Right next door are a Circuit City and a CompUSA, so I guess that might be a great place to start.
I'll try to pay them a visit this weekend and see what comes next. I will check back in as Cricket suggested and see what comes next.
Thanks again.