just an update... i ended up purchasing a system from infonec. decent price, i probably could have saved a few bucks if i shopped around a bit more, but their customer service was excellent. both guys there came across as very honest with their opinions, even recommended i go with the cheaper of two 17" monitors i was looking at because they thought it was better. they both spent more than half hour looking up better parts for better prices. A+++, highty recommended for computer-idiots like me, will definitely go back again! thanks everyone for their help!