First Ever Build - Please Suggest Parts for Build

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: (im ready to purchase as soon as i finalize the parts list) BUDGET RANGE: (example: US$750-800)

SYSTEM USAGE: (Watching HD movies (Full blu-ray rips at 1080p res with HD bitstream audio) with no stuttering video or audio playback, playing the latest games (Fallout 3, L4D, etc.) at high / near full settings, surfing the net fast, running windows XP fast)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: (keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, monitor)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: (newegg is the one i know best, im open to any other reliable/cheaper suggestions as well)

PARTS PREFERENCES:
Intel Chipset

a graphics card that has HDMI out put to pass HD video and audio (if an HDMI port is not available within my budget than ill stick with DVI outputs),

a case big enough to fit recommended graphics card without blocking access to other parts of the board,

Not sure what is the max RAM i could put in my system on this budget - im guessing 4GB minimum

OVERCLOCKING: Yes- but not very knowledgeable in how to do it

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No I would like to stick to a single card

MONITOR RESOLUTION: (LCD monitor is 1680x1050, will connect HDMI cable from graphics card to a 1080p plasma HDTV)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: well basically i want the best PC build possible for my budget (i am willing to go over a bit if the benefits are signficant) Not really sure on things like mobos and graphics cards that best suit my preference, thats why I come to you guys. Please any help would be greatly appreciated. Im looking to finally have a great PC.

thanks for your list, a couple of questions: Why reccomend a triple core AMD instead of a quad core INTEL? how big of a difference would I see between the two? Also you reccomend 4GB of Ram, would i need a 64-bit version of XP in order to do that? Can you tell me more about the graphics card and why you chose that particular one? thank you

a good quad core intel would put you over $900, or $1000 if you went i7.

and XP64 sucks, get vista64, it has better driver support and DX10/.1/11.

how would you rate the Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 as compared to the Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 Yorkfield 2.66GHz? both fit within my budget

I chose the AMD build over the Intel build for cost reasons. I'm with raybob95 as being a HUGE Intel Fan but I also know that price to performance ratio you can't beat AMD. I tried to build the best system for your needs within your $800 budget. If you are not doing major video editing you won't see much difference, if any, between the two.

To see all 4GB you'll need a 64-bit system but as Helloworld_98 said don't get XP-64. Get either Vista-64 or Windows 7 RC - 64-Bit. However, you don't need a 64-bit system to run 4GB. I ran XP Pro SP3 with 4GB for a while just fine. If you want XP... stick with XP 32-Bit.

I chose the graphics card for two reasons, 1.) it is a great card able to meet your needs for 1080p and will max out any game at 1680x1050 (well maybe not Crysis... but what does... ). 2.) The board is Crossfire ready so it gives you the ability to add another one in Crossfire down the road when you have additional money.

So you really think based on what I want for my build:

Play games in high settings in high res
Watching HD 1080p movies
Fast Windows applications and web surfing

that I should save money and go for a core 2 and not quad? If very few applications and software utilize quad cores, then why are most people upgrading to them?

Thanks