Obviously you guys haven't tried to build a MP from scratch...
@fairbanx, DO YOUR RESEARCH! I cannot stress that enough. Look everywhere, compare prices, make deals.
Over the last month I have been buying parts to build up a 2009 8 core MP.
Here's what the cost were:
-MP case with PSU and pre-wired. (All fans except PCIe Fan) = $180
-Logic Board = $329
-Backplane Board = $299
-Heatsink A = $149
-Heatsink B = $289
-PCIe Fan = $49
-Aiport Card = $48
-Bluetooth Card = $20
-2x Intel Xeon Quad 2.93ghz X5570 = $1,200
-OWC 120gb ssd = $320
-16gb DDR3 ram from OWC = $610
-2x 1TB WD Black hdd = $180
-LG Blu-ray Drive = $150
-NVidia Geforce GT 120 (used) = $60
Total cost comes to about $3,500
Compare this to Apple and you would easily be paying twice as much, maybe more...
Remember, the base 8 core model offered by Apple had slower chips, 6gb ram, 640gb hdd, and the Geforce 120 for $3200.
Hope this helps
I'm doing the similar projest I've bought the item below.
Mac Pro 2009 Case with 980W PSU: £239.99 GBP ($381.90 USD)
Mac Pro 2009 Logic Board & UK Spec power core: £212.98 GBP ($338.88 USD)
Mac Pro 2009 Restoration DVD kit: €38.00 EUR ($27.97 USD)
24GB 6x4GB DDR3 1066 ECC Ram for Mac Pro: $570.00 USD
Xeon W5590 x2 OEM Processor: $1,850.00 USD
Mac Pro 2009 Technical and Installation document: $7.49 USD
2mm 100mm x 200mm Thermal Pad: $12.00 USD
Mac Pro 2009 Support Tray: $51.60 USD
Mac Pro 2009 8 core Processor Board: $369.53 USD
Mac Pro 2009 CPU-A heat sink: $159.35 USD
Mac Pro 2009 CPU-B heat sink: $285.10 USD
Ati 5870 for Mac: RM1,330.00 MYR
So far the amount i've spend on Parts so far are in total USD 4053.82
Completed and running flawlessly.
Just got myself and Areca 1880i and 4 pcs of WD RE4 HDD going for Raid 5.