Trying to build a system, mid-level with moderate gaming. .

EDIT 12/31: Now looking at SHUTTLE SN26P+EVGA 7950 GT 512MB NVIDIA nForce4 SLI AMD Socket 939 Barebone for $500. Seems like a sweet deal, but finding a good price on an AMD X2 939 socket processor in stock seems to be a problem. . . I would be saving $150+ on case and PSU and Mobo going this route, and has the feature I am looking for. Just not bleeding edge. Any thoughts?


I'm looking at around a $1000 system. I have a few parts I am partial too. I have never overclocked, and the last 3 systems I have built have all been AMD. The last one is in my sig line, but is really used by my wife more than me now.

Considering:

Single card video option
-can get evga 7950GT 256MB for around $200 now

Simple, but functional case with USB, audio, and 1394 upfront
-Cooler Master Centurion 5 series

Decent, respectable power supply, but not overkill
-Thermaltake TR2 430watt

Intel Core Duo
-Looking at the E6300, since every post on every board describes overclocking it as easy as slicing bread

Memory
- 1 or 2GB? Last system had 2GB, but this will be just to run games mostly and not video editing or anything

Motherboard
-This is my big question. . .Just not sure about which one. Every board has its critics. There was an Asus I saw, but read terrible things about audio, etc. I do want 1394, onboard sound (not a big deal in terms of quality as I run a 2.1 speaker system). . .really want stability. I love my current MSI, and I love the Shuttle I had several years back.

I can find the HD, DVD Burner, etc. when the time is right.

Thanks in advance for any advice.