1st Build Ever $1k-$1500

First of all thanks for looking and helping a completely new builder...
I am looking to build my first PC and have some experience with computers but am by no means proficient. I am mainly asking for an overview/suggestions concerning compatibility and similiar/better components, I have tried to make everything compatible as far as I know so....
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: ASAP (This week) BUDGET RANGE: $1k-$1500

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Good gaming machine w/ usage for school and media center (all in one I guess)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor, mouse, keyboard, OS (I'll be running Win7 ultimate 64bit), DVD-rom, Media Card Reader, Printer, ETC

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg (see below) COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: Full Tower (More for space and my skill level than anything), AMD

OVERCLOCKING: Yes SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes / Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION:1024x768

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:I don't necessarily need the two cards or both sets (8gigs) of RAM right away but would like as much, would also like to keep within this price range so please don't try to sway me to an i7 and two GPU's that are hundreds of dollars more, any suggestions please try to stay comparable in price and quality

Here's the link to my list (easier than listing it all out here): http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/ [...] r=12334612

Thanks for the help in advance guys

Seeing your resolution is 1024x768 ...you will not need 5770 because it's an overkill. I suggest you to upgrade your monitor because it'll be a much better gaming experience. Get a 20" + with 1920x1080 resolution.

Also, no point in an AMD build with your budget, as of this momemt, the intel i5 750 kicks all amd cpus in the rear relatively with a low price of $199. Since you are a gamer i5 750 is the best bang for the buck, not the amd or i7..
i5 is the way to go.

Here's a build I've done for someone a few days ago, you can use this as a reference.

I only used newegg, but you can use other sites if you can find the same parts for cheaper.
Or if you can find better combos at newegg

Here's an i5 750 build with new monitor

>MOBO+RAM 30 dollar discount
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.289943

>Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

>CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

>Hard drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

>Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

>Monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824236049


>Optical Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827106289

>Heatsink

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835103065

>Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139006

Total: $1,288.88 Before Rebate

This build gives you the ability to crossfire/sli in the future if new games are more demanding. You could add in another graphics card, the power supply is decent and could handle 2 graphics card.

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I have been messing with the list so I am sure none of you saw the same one
I ditched the mobo for a cheaper one w/ similar capability, added a monitor (halfway between my current and the top supported by the card), changed the RAM, added HD5770 GPU, etc.
Like I said I'm not going the way of Intel but thanks for the suggestions anyway....

Here are some of the marks I looked at:
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/819/12

All, where the i5 outperformed besides gaming (which is so small a difference no one would be able to tell without a benchmark program), are not things I use...

Also, it is about personal preference, I have been much more satisfied with the AMD systems I have had over the years in comparison to the Itel ones. While this may have nothing or everything to do with the cpu's it is my preference so.....

okay then suit yourself
hope you don't regret in the future ..