why usually people here thing there must be a video card? if not play 3D game, i think the onboard one is excellent! watch dvd, or anything 2D is just as good as video card. and can save a lot of money. same as sound card. unless you spend over $5000 on speakers, i don't see any difference.

this is my computer:
Intel 865GLC, (mATX, Gigabit CSA onboard,)
P4 2.4 NW
Pioneer A07 dvd+-rw
seagate 200G pata
sony 193x 19inch LCD
bose speakers.
MS wireless desktop pro 2.0 for bluetooth. (the newest one, just got it last week, nice!)

as you can see.. my computer is very different than many people on this board. however, i use it for internet, dv editing, photoshop, ms office. watch dvd. and i think it is pretty nice setup. and looks very cool (wireless keyboard and mouse)

so.. for $17000, this is what i will do:
Motherboard: Gigabyte 81G 1000MF (mATX, intel 10/100 lan, IEEE 1394 onboard) or something similier. cost around $3000 to $3500
CPU: P4 with HT, see what's cheapest now with HT, aound $4000
MS wireless keyboard AND mouse set. or creative.. (personally, i like MS better, i think the build quality is better) cost around $3000. (if you want bluetooth version, maybe $5000)

so total cost aound $10000, you still have $7000, get a seagate 200G for $4000, and the rest for case with power ( for this system, there is no need to buy separate power)