Thanks for the responses. I don't know if I would like to build one.
You would have to do the burn in and all the other stuff of building a new machine.
Actually quite easy, I can do it after all...
Take the case, install CPU/CPU fan hardware.
Install CPU and cooling unit (fan, passive, liquid).
Install hard drives and DVDs
Seat memory, video card, sound card.
Install power supply (500W+)
Connect power and motherboard jumpers (reset, HDD LED, etc)
Attach cables (video, USB, audio, mouse, keyboard)
Power up
Everything ok? Put the sides on the case.
Make changes to the BIOS (boot order, on board audio disable, etc)
Power off (remove power from the supply)
Power on and install your OS, low level drivers (like Intel inf), device drivers.
Have fun!
I can do this in a bit less than 2 hours from a box of parts.
And, since I do the homework I am certain that when I power it on, it is the best of all possible components that day. Tomorrow of course I see a newer shinier fravistat, but for today, I know I have the ultimate romper stomper.
Two pluses. I save money and I know the system if there is any sort of problem or I want to add/upgrade anything.
Haven't done a 'store bought' in many years.
As an aside, if I were doing this, I'd get a smallish (80 GB) drive for the system and apps.
Things run better alone, whatever the OS wants to load, games, MC, etc when they are on their own physical drive. Also, if/when it fails you only have to replace and restore that drive. Your large drives are better used as data only.