$1100 gaming PC

I'm really frustrated. I've got about $1100 to throw down on a new gaming rig (but i also need a monitor. preferably 1920x1200). I've never built a pc but i've used them extensively since I was 14, replaced a couple dvd drives and ram and video cards and things of that nature but never fully built one from the ground up and i'm a bit intimidated. I'm having a major problem finding everything i want within my budget that works together! I would post a sample build but i'd just be wasting everyones time reading it because it would be fail.

After looking around I really want to get as much performance as possible for my money, the monitor i'm not that concerned about performance other than its 1920x1200 resolution (not crap though) Only reason I mention it is it has to come out of the $1100, so does shipping and everything. Its a hard cap.  

I really would like either an i5or i7 processor, or possibly the amd phenom x4 965
And preferably a very solid video card. Corners can be cut elsewhere if required i guess.

I would like a nice looking case with a full ATX motherboard, and i'd like to also include in the cost one of those killer network cards.

I'm basically wanting a setup that will be fairly first build friendly, as ive read some cases and motherboards are more difficult than others so i need to balance this vs power.

Any help at all will be appreciated. I've spent hours poring over parts and even checking out websites like ibuypower and cyberpowerpc but it just seems like im sacrificing somewhere to stay under $1100 and i really don't want to. It seems like I should be able to get something solid out of this... if i *HAVE* to i could maybe stretch to 1200 (but that has to include shipping remember if free shipping is possible plz god lol)