I'm going to buy a new computer for general use (browsing, coding/compiling, music, gaming) and I want to have it for at least a couple of years. I might possibly upgrade the graphics card once the next generation of super value graphics cards comes out to prolong the computer's lifespan. I'm not really a hardcore gamer, but I like good 60+ framerates and high-resolution with AA gaming. I plan on playing TF2 and maybe a couple of other current sort of games, along with plenty of older ones that the computer should easily handle.

I also want it to be stable and reliable for several years, but I do plan on overclocking the CPU once the need arises. (I will keep it at stock speeds until I need the performance boost.)

Here are the final specs:

-CPU: Intel Q6600 G0
-RAM: Patriot DDR2 800MHz 4GB (2x2GB) 4-4-4-12
-GPU: GeForce 8800GTS 512MB
-PSU: Corsair HX620W
-MB: Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3
-HSF: Xigmatek HDT-S1283
-Thermal Paste: Arctic Cooling MX-2
-Chassis: Antec P182

Now I've just got to wait for the Q6600 price drop. Any further recommendations? Any upcoming price increases I should know about?

Everything looks good as is. The p35 board can handle Q6600 oced up to 3.6ghz, which should be enough. But if you plan to upgrade to Q9450, you should get a x38, as the p35 will only oc it to 3.2 due to the 45nm cpu's 8x multiplier.

How many years is "several?" Even the best system today will be bottom feeder in about 4 years. That system will last you a good 3+ years though.

Thanks for the reply. I don't plan on upgrading the CPU, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Several years to me basically means at least two years, but I don't always play all the latest next-generation games and things, so it should last me a bit longer than it would a more serious gamer.

7 years? no system will last you 7 years as a matter of fact here's one seven year old's computers specifications (gateway 950 from 2001):
CPU: AMD K7 @ 950Mhz
Video Card: nVidia something 64mb of GDDR
RAM: 128MB DDR
HDD: 40GB 5400rpm
theres just a few so you could see how a 7 year old computer would look.

Don't be silly. I didn't say seven years. Didn't you even read my last post?

Read the post. The title said "several" not "seven"