New build - need advice

[Rando]

Haven't built or bought a new computer in a really long time, so Im just trying to make sure im not doing anything dumb.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Gaming for the most part

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Looking to spend around 1500 w/ a new monitor

3) Where do you live?
mn

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
all parts of the computer, no accessories (mouse,headphones,etc), also need a new monitor

6) Will you be overclocking?
light overclocking in the future, if at all

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
was looking for a 21-23" - was wondering what my system could handle

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
now!

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
possible looking to add a second card for sli in the future. would the psu i have chosen handle 2 gtx275s? Would I need a better cooled case?

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
going to get oem version of vista


What I've picked out so far:

Case: thermaltake m9 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133058 $85 (46 at microcenter)
Mobo: EVGA x58 SLI LE http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188049 $240 (230 at mc)
hdd: WD Caviar Blue http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218 $70
gfx: EVGA gtx275 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130475 $240 (230 at mc)
cpu: i7 920 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202 $280 (200 at mc)
psu: corsair 750W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006 $120 (110 at mc)
memory: gskill DDR3-1600 3x2GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231225 $125
os: vista home premium http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116677 $110
optical: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118030 $30

total w/some parts from micro center: $1151

Probably just go to best buy and pick out a monitor that I like. Should I get a 1680x1050 or 1920x1080? Would this system be able to play newer games with high settings at the higher res?

If there's an area that you would spend more money on, let me know

 

[lt_shiro]

if main purpose is gaming, i7 920 isn't need. Lower TDP of i5 750 and near equal in performance in games, makes it a real winner...

From AMD/ATI press event we know that 5870 is going be sinfully fast over anything this gen. I would pick up a cheap $50 card like 4650 ontill it release (est sept 22-oct 1).

Finally WD 640GB Blue is great HDD, the black version adds two years to your warranty for $5 more.

 

[engiNURD]

I agree with shiro... everything he said. BTW, IIRC, that eVGA board is on sale right now for $220 if you have the promo code from the newegg newsletter.