Help getting a new computer

I need help choosing the parts etc etc. I want the computer to be able to play Everquest 2 at with no problems. By fall the game will be released, I hope...

I already have a 52x32x52x burner so that is dealt with.

Oh and I don't have any knowledge of building computers but I just plan on buying the parts and a friend who knows will build it for me.

Also, I would like to keep it under 1000 US Dollars.

 

Here's what I'd suggest:

Athlon XP 2600+ Barton $90
nForce2 Ultra 400 based mobo (Abit NF7-S, Asus A7N8X, MSI K7N2 Delta-L) ~$90
Radeon 9800 Pro w/ 128Mb memory $170
120 Gb HDD w/ 8Mb buffer ~$95
512 Mb Dual Channel RAM (2x256Mb) (brand name: corsair, kingston, crucial) ~$115
Antec True 480W power supply $76
Case ~$50

Total: ~$700
That leaves $300 for a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and anything else you need.

 

I agree with a lot of what Wyatt_Earp said, here are my changes though:

you can get an Athlon XP 2800+ for $87 OEM, and pair it with a nice heatsink like a Vantec Aeroflow for an affordable $20

Get a Deluxe motherboard for the SATA controller, like the Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe $95, and a Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive for a nice speed increase 120GB $95