$1000 - $1500 First time gaming build

[AP3Brain]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE:Today or next week

BUDGET RANGE: $1000-$1500 As a gift for my birthday my mom is willing to help me out on the expenses so I really need to prove to her that whatever I get is the best I can get for the money.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, surfing the internet, watching movies. I generally want a great gaming computer with everything else secondary.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Mouse.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com seems generally accepted here but if there is cheaper deals elsewhere please direct me to them because price is an issue for me.

PARTS PREFERENCES: I would like to get an Intel chip but I am not sure whether or not the i7 is really necessary. Is there that much of a difference when compared to the core 2 duo? I was also thing of the GeForce GTX 285 or the Radeon 4890. Is there a huge difference between the two or very little?
This Monitor also seems nice. But if there is a better deal I am willing to part with it.
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-VH242H-23-6-Inch-Wide-16/dp/B001LYPIIS/ref=sr_1_1?tag=slickdeals&ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1248991342&sr=8-1

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe if there is a huge difference in speed

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Not exactly sure here but I guess the higher resolutions like 1920x1200.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: This would be my first time building a computer so I would like a build that I won't have too many problems putting together. I have been researching for a long while and I generally know how to put one together but if there is details about certain products that I should be aware of it would be nice if you would tell me.
Also my mom is not too confident that system building is really better than buying a computer at the store. She showed me this ASUS offer at bestbuy.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9366642&type=product&id=1218092150864#tabbed-customerreviews

Is this computer really worth the price? Would I get more bang for my buck building or could I get this computer and maybe upgrade to a Geforce GTX 285 and upgrade the power supply?

Here a list of some parts I put together at newegg but it seemed a little pricey. I will appreciate any help at all.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136144
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130480
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185093
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185039
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.216527

Grand total of $1297 not including the monitor.

 

[AP3Brain]

Is anybody out there?? Did I leave out some needed information maybe?

 

[hunter315]

Get a GTX275, its significantly cheaper than a GTX285 and performs almost identically, its clocked at 633 instead of 648. Also skip the scythe fan, you dont really need it, swap the DVD drive out for a SATA drive and change the CPU cooler to the core contact freezer it performs better
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835207005
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835207004

 

[AP3Brain]

Thank you for your reply. How is the Antec 900 case? Pretty good for the money? Is there any cases that are slightly better? How does it compare to the Cooler Master 922 and this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156062

 

[JDV28]

Also, for gaming and the sake of saving money, go amd. And also since u don plan on doing sli or crossfire, the i7 wouldnt be working at its full potential.

 

[hunter315]

Well the PSU in the raidmax is crap so its not really worth it. Better in a case is really determined by what you are looking for, if you want cheaper yes there are some that are cheaper, if you want better cooling there are some that provide better cooling like the antec 1200 but it will cost you. What do you consider better?

 

[AP3Brain]

So i7 is only beneficial if you are doing sli or crossfire?? I just didn't really want to deal with those since I have never built a computer before. How much actual money would I be saving going with amd and how does the performance differ? Also, I just want a case that is standard and has enough room and not a pain to deal with. Would the antec 900 suit my wants? The reviews for it seem fine though.