Need advice for $500 gaming pc

[chub11]

Approximate Purchase Date: Sometime next month

Budget Range: ~500 before rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: heavy gaming, surfing the internet

Parts Not Required: mouse, keyboard, speakers, os

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: preferably newegg or amazon. I also can get parts from fry's.

Country: CA, USA

Parts Preferences: None

Overclocking: I'm willing to overclock, however since I've never overclocked before, it would have to be easy.

SLI or Crossfire: no

Monitor Resolution: if anyone could suggest a decent monitor for a good price it would be much appreciated.

Additional Comments: My goal is to play games such as Skyrim, Crysis, etc. on high. I'd like to keep the price of this build around $500, but if I absolutely have to spend an extra few dollars on something, it's not a problem.

List of parts already looked at:

CPU: None so far, but the i3-2100 and some of the phenom 2 x4 black editions look pretty good.

Graphics Card: SAPPHIRE 100315L Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908 - $140

Motherboard: Nothing yet.

RAM: Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory with heatshield Model PSD38G1600KH - $35
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220570

Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520 Bronze 520W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply - $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094

Hard Drive: Not sure what to do for this, since current prices are so high.

Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, comes with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top 140mm Fan, 1x Rear 120mm Fan, option Fans-2x Side 120mm Fan - $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

CD Drive: Anything cheap that works is fine with me.

The specific parts I've listed add up to around $285.

I hope I've provided enough information, if not just ask. I realize there are hundreds, if not thousands, of threads just like this one so I'm grateful to anyone who gives a little bit of input.

 

[aznshinobi]

Just a suggestion, it's quite close to the release of the 7xxx cards, I'd wait and see how prices play out. Though they won't drop by a HUGE margin, they'll be a slight price drop. If not, at least you'll have the option of the newest tech and similar price since 7xxx is 28nm.