Computer Parts: Low end - Middle - High End

[Arcilux]

So, just curious what other people's opinions are. This is a purely hypothetical thread. Assume that you are working and receive a bonus that is exactly enough to get a top of the line computer system. For each part of the computer you can choose to get the most basic, a mid-range product, or top of the line. If you choose all top of the line products you will use your entire bonus. If you go with some/all cheaper products you can save a portion of your bonus for anything else. I'll list the various components as well as what to expect for each of the three categories. Which categories would you skimp on? Or would you go all out? Keep in mind prices and descriptions are just my best guess. This post will likely be quite long with all the descriptions, please don't quote the whole thing.

For me, I would go near the middle for everything, but on the higher end of the middle, and save up the extra. A few pieces I would go high end if I could.
Case: Middle, but closer to $125
RAM: High end, 16GB
CPU: Middle
Cooler: Either stock (low end) or middle
HDD: Middle, 1TB no RAID
SSD: High end, plenty of room to grow.
Mobo: Middle, don't need much special, just USB3.0 connection and room for 4 sticks of RAM
GPU: High end, but probably only a 2 SLI setup. 2*gtx580
PSU: Have to go high because of the GPU, but if not for the GPU I would go middle
CD/DVD: High, blu-ray could be useful
OS: Middle, Home Premium equivalent
Monitor: Middle, 2x 24inch
Keyboard: Middle, some extra features but not too much
Mouse: Middle, some extra features but not too much
Webcam: Middle, basic features
Headset: Middle, comfortable to wear for long periods but no need for ultimate sound quality
Speakers: Middle, basic features for generic sound
Extras: Middle, maybe high. Wouldn't mind a TV Tuner and card reader, maybe some extra aesthetic stuff.

So, where would you spend and where would you skimp? Pour the entire bonus into a computer? Or save as much of it as you can?

Case:

Low:
Standard, plain looking. Probably solid color, minimalistic. What you would expect buying a budget PC from Dell, Best Buy, etc. Price: $70 or less

Middle:
Few extra drive bays, extra fans, maybe some cable management. Side window/mesh etc. Price: $70-$150

High:
Full size, plenty of drive bays, cable management, enthusiast airflow. Price: $150 or higher

RAM:

Low:
Standard green computer chip looking RAM. 4GB or less. Price: $40 or less

Middle:
Heat spreaders, good timings, likely 1333-1600MHz, 8GB Price: $40-$80

High:
Quality heat spreaders, faster speeds, 12GB or more Price: $100 or higher

CPU:

Low:
Previous generation, standard CPU. Price: $150 or less

Middle:
Modern generation, good speed, decent features. Price: $150-$250

High:
Enthusiast and professional features. Price: $250 or higher

CPU Cooler:

Low:
Stock cooler Price: $0

Middle:
Basic aftermarket cooler, possibly loud, allows mild overclocking Price: $50 or less

High:
Large, quiet, brand name CPU cooler. Price: $50 or higher

HDD:

Low:
Standard, 5400-7200 RPM, single drive, around 500GB. Price: $50 or less

Middle:
1-2TB 7200 RPM. Maybe a couple of smaller drives in RAID. Price: $50-$100

High:
Several terrabytes, most likely RAID setup. Possible use of 10000 RPM drives. Price: $100 or higher

SSD:

Low:
None, or a very small SSD just for caching or OS. Price: $100 or less

Middle:
Up to 128GB SSD for OS and a few games Price: $100-$250

High:
Large SSD, 200+ GB Price: $250 or higher

Motherboard:

Low:
Very basic, can only handle one video card, 2 sticks of RAM, limited I/O Price: $100 or less

Middle:
4 RAM sticks possible, SLI/XFire ready. Price: $100-$200

High:
'Deluxe' versions of motherboards. Price: $200 or higher

GPU:

Low:
Basic card, possibly previous generation or low end of current generation Price: $200 or less

Middle:
Multiple basic cards or a single high end card Price: $400-$800

High:
Multiple high-end cards Price: $1000 or higher

PSU:

Low:
Off brand or low wattage Price: $50 or less

Middle:
Name brand, middle wattage up to 800W. Bronze 80+ Price: $60-$150

High:
Name brand, probably modular with quality sleeves. 1000W+ Price: $150 or higher

CD/DVD:

Low:
None Price: $0

Middle:
Basic, can read and write CD/DVD Price: $20-$50

High:
Multiple drives, Blu-Ray burning, etc. Price: $50 or higher

OS:

Low:
Freeware Linux Price: $0

Middle:
Basic cost OS Price: $100-$200

High:
Ultimate or Business class OS Price: $200 or higher

Monitor:

Low:
20 inch or smaller, basic computer monitor Price: $100 or less

Middle:
Up to 24 inch, HD, up to two monitors Price: $100-$300

High:
Possibly 3D, 120Hz, IPS, 27+ inch, multiple monitors. Price: $500 or higher

Keyboard:

Low:
Basic from Wal-Mart Price: $10 or less

Middle:
Ergonomic, basic gaming Price: $20-$70

High:
Specialty, high quality keys, extra buttons, LCD screens, flair. Price: $100 or higher

Mouse:

Low:
Basic from Wal-Mart Price: $10 or less

Middle:
Ergonomic, basic gaming Price: $20-$50

High:
Specialty, high quality keys, extra buttons, flair. Price: $70 or higher

Webcam:

Low:
None Price: $0

Middle:
Basic, Wal-Mart style. 2MP Price: $30 or under

High:
High quality, high MP Price: $50 or higher

Headset:

Low:
None or basic, department store style Price: $30 or under

Middle:
Basic, Comfortable, designed for gaming Price: $30-$70

High:
Possibly wireless, High quality, sound for audiophiles. Bose, Sennheiser, etc. usually requires separate mic. Price: $100 or (usually much) higher

Speakers:

Low:
None Price: $0

Middle:
Basic, 2 speakers or 2+1 setup. Price: $50 or under

High:
High quality, surround sound 7+1 etc. Price: $50 or higher

Extras:

Low:
None Price: $0

Middle:
Some basic items, LEDs, cold cathode lights, card readers, etc. Price: $100 or under

High:
Everything you can find, LCD touch screen fan controllers, TV Tuners, etc. Price: $100 or higher

[Deleted]

I'm the kind of guy that wants as much as possible on my computer. So I would get as good as it could get.

[kailtas]

Oh the amount of money i would spend on a computer if i had it =D

Corsair 800D case
tri-sli 580 hydro-copper 2. The 3GB version in order to play on 2560x1440 or 2560x1600.
A 990x CPU worth 1000 dollars.
Quad Samsung 830 512GB in Raid0 and rest of the slots for Caviar black 2GB.And probably an external storage device connected trough LAN.
12GB of 2133MHZ or 2200MHZ memory from Corsair or G.Skill.
One badass watercooling loop.

That would be the most important parts.

To simplify: High end on ALL the things.