So I am looking into upgrading or rebuilding my computer. I plan on buying all parts off of newegg.com so if you could please link to there. I like my current case so will be keeping that, and I would like to keep my power supply also as i bought it not too long ago (a modular 500 or 600 watt antec). I did build this computer, but it was quit awhile ago and would need help picking parts that offer a good price to performance ratio and are compatible. Here are my current parts: amd athlon 64 (2.4GHz), a lightscribe dvd drive, ATI radeon x1900. I already have a moniter keyboard mouse and speakers I will be keeping from this pc. I would also like to get and HD tv tuner card and have lookied at some but i dont really know what I am looking for. I am planning on building this early in jan unless there is a good reason to wait. It also needs to support dual moniters. My budget is about 800-1000. The pc will be used mainly for gaming, but I sometime browse the internet or play movies while I game on it so it should be able to handle a good load. Thank for any advice in advance

You're probably better off building sooner rather than later, since I'd imagine you won't find as good deals in January... maybe?

800$ though, that's easy.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.303822
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150443 (Grab it while it's still in stock!)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220435
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

Total is 820.95 + shipping, after MIRs.

EDIT: If your PSU is only 500W though, if you take this, may want something 600 or more to be on the safe side, I guess.  idk

What jeff said, unless you plan on overclocking, in which case I'd suggest an Intel processor.

AMD are just as easy to overclock these days, unless you know otherwise. That's since Phenom II. Most of the new C3 step quads can hit 4GHz from 3GHz.

955 if you just plan on gaming or i5 750 if video encoding and 3D modelling I would say (but there's a premium on the CPU and motherboard). You could probably replace that 790 board with a 785G or 770 without losing anything.

And if you can find a 5850 or 5870 in stock, go for it. If not, GTX 260 or 5770 if you care about DX11.

AMD's processors have gotten better at overclocking, but they still fall short of most Intel processors as far as I know. I haven't looked into it for like 6 months though so......

What's the average OC on a Core 2 Quad or i7? As I said, 4GHz is an average for a 3GHz Phenom quad. Also OCing is easier on AMD since they have unlocked duals, tris and quads well below what Intel charges ($1000).

And AMD holds the record on LN2 for this round of CPUs. They got to over 7GHz. That means nothing for air OCing, but the part is only limited by temps, not by architecture.

Ive been building exclusively with AMD CPU's for over 10 years and have yet to have any problems.

Just make sure you invest in a quality mainboard. I recommend ASUS

Gigabyte, Asus, and MSI are the three I would go for, probably in that order.

I love buidling computers. It's like playing with LEGO all over again! Just so happens this set does a lot more than any LEGO would....

Regardless of AMD vs Intel or other brands that are good like (Nvidia, ATI, Gigabyte, Asus, WD, LiteOn, Kingston, etc). I've built PCs from all of these brands and as long as you get compatable equipment and keep it clean it will last years.

Make sure you get the following basic features to ensure a quality computer 3-5 years down the road.

quad core
4gb+ memory
600+watt PSU (modular or plenty of connections)
SLI or Crossfire possible
GPU with at least 1GB ram (SLI or Crossfireready)
MOBO w/ PCI Express 2.0 (2 for SLI or Crossfire)

Basically, the components suggested by Jeff would fit this as well as a comparable Intel setup. I like both, but I find Intel to be less in heat. Currently I believe Intel is also scoring better for comparable CPUs. Have to check Toms Hardware for latest tests.