CPU

For folks on a budget, Intel's E series of Core 2 Duo, from 7400 to 8500 run the gamut of $120-175; there is a big price jump (to the tune of nearly 50% over the 8500) to the E8600. Go for the Wolfdale architecture, with the faster FSB (1066 or 1333 MHz), to reap the benefits of improved memory subsystem bandwidth. Those folks with fast DDR2 or DDR3 that can run clock-for-clock with this will really notice the difference. There are also a couple of quad-core CPUs in this price bracket if you're looking in that direction.

For anyone who wants to make the jump to the state of the art, the i7 920 (Nehalem) will set you back about a trio of C-notes, plus the cost of a new socket 1366 mainboard. These latter at last check were, unfortunately, solidly at the "thoroughly kickass, but you get what you pay for" ($250 and up, and up, and up) price point.


Video

The best bang for the video buck, at least while supplies last, is the "old" nvidia GTX 260 -- the original flavor, with 192 stream processors. Its performance hasn't been substantially eclipsed by the newer variant, with 216 stream processors, and it's a bit less expensive. Since these are no longer in production, supplies are limited, and going fairly fast.

If you don't manage to score one, the new GTX 260 or the ATI 4850 both check in around $250.


Displays

You can find 22" units that run 1680x1050 natively under $200 if you're vigilant; jumping up to the next tier of size (24-28") and resolution (1920x1200) will roughly double that price. That said, a quality display is one of the most upgrade-tolerant components in your entire system -- the case, power supply, and sound card have similar staying power, since the state of the art moves relatively slowly here. Unlike those other parts, midsize LCDs have come way, way down in terms of price, and this trend is probably going to continue for a bit longer.

Going for serious future-proofing, to 30"+ and 2560x1600, will cost, but... oh, there's a lot of shiny there, my preciousssss.


Audio

5.1 channels of sonic love. BI has their little 2.1 brothers at the office. The folks in the programming department would be in open revolt if he got an upgrade and took full advantage of their capabilities. Not everyone has the same appreciation for Pantera and Daler Mendi we do. A pity, that.


Cooling

There are two units that are vying for the title of "best air cooler in the world (non-ridiculously-expensive division)," and either of them represent a tremendous upgrade if you're still using a stock HSF.


The Thermalright cools a bit better, the Noctua is substantially quieter. Both of them blow just about everything else away.


Memory

Prices for DDR2 have come down so far, it's practically entered the realm of the stocking-stuffer. Find out what your mainboard supports, and your OS can utilize, and take full advantage. DRR3 prices have finally stopped scaring the livestock, too, and 4GB kits can be had for about the same price as Fallout 3. (Please don't make BI choose between 4 more gigs of RAM and post-apocalyptic GECK love.)


Storage

With 32MB of cache available, just find the size that fits your needs and budget, and go nuts. 750GB for under $90? It's a great time to be a storage fiend.


Obviously, your budget and needs will dictate what you put on your shopping list. Just make sure to leave room at the bottom for a little bit of that Peace on Earth stuff. Some things are never obsolete.


Rafe Brox spends his days wielding a phone in one hand and a screwdriver in the other. When not causing friends and enemies alike to /facepalm electronically, he can be found extolling the virtues of the weird peripherals in his life, from kettlebells to the Trackman Marble. If you also share an unhealthy passion for PC hardware or know a good place he can get help for this addiction, the target coordinates are rafe.brox AT weblogsinc DOT com.