Help with a new gaming rig as future-proof as possible today

I have been researching a new computer for weeks now (mostly looking at Velocity Micro systems). I have never actually hand-built a system before, so I am a little timid. I am an electrician and I have tinkered with adding ram, and video & sound cards a few years ago. I don't know how to overclock or mess with Bios or anything...just plug-and-play type stuff. I don't mind spending some extra money now to not have to upgrade for a while. I hate having to buy a new rig every time a new game comes out that I want to be able to play in a great resolution (like Dragon Age: Origins).
Should I go for an i7? What would be the most future-proof, a 1156 socket cpu or a 1366. Any help would be apprecitated!

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This week (unless prices are getting ready to drop or a new updated technology is about to arrive)

BUDGET RANGE: $1,200 - $1,500 / After Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, internet, office

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: monitor, speakers

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: would like to get everything at one or two places COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: The most supported and most future proof

OVERCLOCKING:Maybe SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: I have an Acer P241w (1920x1200 WUXGA)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: will need Windows 7 too. This will go on my desktop and the tower needs to be less than 21" tall. I need an integrated flash memory reader (8-in1?). I really want to play Dragon Age: Origins in the highest resolution if possible. I need a gaming keyboard and mouse too. I would like it to be relatively quiet, and maybe have a side window with the lights like the [url=Velocity Micro][/url].

To OP: Get a razer mouse, they are the best gaming mouse.
Get a 5850 video card.
Get an antec 900 case, better cooling and more space.
Get this RAM instead it's 1333mhz 7-7-7-18 for $134.99.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231230
jbakerlent's RAM is 1600mhz 7-7-7-24 for $173.99 which is expensive. the performance between the two would be very similar anyways so go for the cheaper solution

The rest of jbakerlent's build looks good, so follow it.

To jbakerlent: you said "Welcome to the forum. 1366 is the most future proof (although that's about the only advantage it has)."
really? that's the only advantage? what about x16 x16 performs better than x8 x8

^I agree with those reasons.

x16 x16 does offer a little performance gain though, it'll offer more in the future when cards are faster, but not much at this moment.

Also, you don't need a 750W psu for 2x5850. 600W is enough, that's if you can find 4 x 6-pin connectors

Overall, good build for the OP.

@overshocks

Can you please recommend me a 600W PSU with 4x 6-pin connectors? I do not want to use adapters/splitters to do the job. Cheers.

partially right, amd3 is on the same level.

nice build.

actually, he asked should he go i7, thought the i7 is better than any amd cpu, still don't throw away the competition, remember, without competition, cpu prices will sky rocket.

OK, so here is my "wish-list" for you to check out:

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $ 99.99
ASUS P6T SE LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $209.99
ASUS EAH5850/G/2DIS/1GD5 Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express $289.99
Antec TruePower New TP-750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.3 $114.95
Intel Core i7-920 Bloomfield 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor $288.99
G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Memory $134.99
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $ 79.99
****OUT OF STOCK****
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive $ 49.99
SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223C - OEM $ 25.99
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM $106.99
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM $ 6.99
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible $ 29.88
****OUT OF STOCK****
Rosewill RTK-001 Premium Anti-Static Wrist Strap - Retail $ 3.99

$1,442.82

Don't I need an audio card or something or is this integral with something else?
Do I need any cables or do they come with the components?
Is there another hard drive and cooler that are as good as the ones listed above (out of stock)? Or should I look at another retailer for this stuff? Are there any promo codes or coupon codes for Tom's?
Anything else I might be forgetting?

Thanks for all of your help!

great find man.

I've found a nice combo for you. Saves $20 dollars. I'll try finding more when I have time.

antec 900 + windows 7 64bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.282580

The 49.99 price is wrong. It's supposed to be 79.99.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152185

Mobo: the mobo you picked doesn't support sli. do you want a mobo that overclocks well or what features are you looking for?
by the way, don't trust newegg reviews, because most of them aren't pro builders and they complain about small things that they messed up on.

heatsink: just get the 212 cooler it's good at it's price beats many competitors, also you can wait for it or just buy it off from another site.

don't know about ethernet adapter. why you need one?

This mobo would be best if you want crossfire/sli ability. It is slightly more expensive than the p6t SE, also it overclocks well

Here, ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131359

are you using ethernet cable to connect to internet, then you don't need adapter

ethernet cable picture:
http://www.made-in-china.com/image [...] -AA06-.jpg

This HSF is more expensive, but you can check it out if you can't wait for the Hyper+
XIGMATEK Intel Core i7 compatible Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835233029

for the HDD you can take a look at this one

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148433

And no, the mobo should come with all the cables you need.