Essentials:
2 HDDs, 1 big ass drive and 1 smaller (100GB say) drive for Windows etc.
(I'm assuming Windows since you're building it lol)
I'd say you need multiple CPUs for definite, having a Core2Duo at home when I use uni PCs (on one now) the difference between that and the (mildly faster, however) single cores is unbelievable. Multi core => stability and efficiency (and more plugins).
Plenty of RAM. Just remember the 32 bit limitation of ~4GB.

Oh, and enough USB/PCI slots for your gear, and Firewire ports if needed.

somexone75 wrote: My current desktop runs as fast as a one legged midget.

I don't think they like to be called that. I think they prefer leg-impaired....

First things first - make a component list and prioritize what you want/need.

Example -

CPU (must be Intel...again example - maybe you prefer AMD)
RAM - 2GB (example...)
Video card (dual head is a must - example...)
Case (quiet)
Cooling fan(s) (quiet)
Hard drive - OS (quiet, >80GB, 16MB cache, etc...)
HD - Audio (quiet, SATA, >300GB, 16 MB cache, etc.)

Following can be on mother board:
NIC, built-in audio, USB, Modem, blah, blah, blah

Following shall not be on mother board:
Firewire, etc, etc...

Then, go to Newegg.com and have a field day.

Cucco wrote:
Following shall not be on mother board:
Firewire, etc, etc...

Why no firewire on the motherboard?

I think the reason is that some (most mobo's) have teh suck Firewire chipsets that are like the new kid on the block, just doesn't go well with firewire interfaces.

Codemonkey wrote: I think the reason is that some (most mobo's) have teh suck Firewire chipsets that are like the new kid on the block, just doesn't go well with firewire interfaces.

Is that a fairly updated response to technology? Intel has made some huge jumps forward in their products in the last few months.

By the way, it's nice to see another church sound guy on here.