Yeah, I would definitely not buy that computer.

Lightscribe is garbage
7600 GS isn't that great (and for its speed, you won't need 512MB video memory unless you're running a zomg hueg monitor)
Processor is ... meh.
Crappy peripherals
No sound card
and if you buy it from Best Buy, the case/PSU/fans are probably really shitty. haha

If you want to do it the hard way (actually build it yourself) I would suggest getting parts at newegg. If you want to go a little easier route, check out sites like http://www.ibuypower.com. They let you pick out the parts from the ground up, you usually get a discount, and they assemble it and give you a warranty & tech support. (Although it's pretty shitty.)

Oh, and I'd definitely wait on the GeForce8 series if you're planning to get it. Although they're powerful, they're still way overpriced and almost nothing uses DX10 yet.

Thats what I was thinking too.  I have a 6600gt in my current computer, so I might just build a new comp and use that until, like you said, the DX10 cards get cheaper.  I think I'll just go the Newegg route.

I used to be able to get Microsoft products for 15 bucks at UW Tacoma, but I'm not a student there anymore.  I got my copy of XP Pro there awhile back.  I think I might try to go back and see if they have Vista.  They are usually pretty lax about student IDs at the store.

I'm also looking at Core 2 Extremes, but is there that much of an improvement between normal Core 2 Duos and those?

Yeah, your 6600 should be fine for now, unless you want to run some crazy games.

Also, my knowledge about Intel chips is pretty limited... After my last PIII, I've only had experience with AMD64. :\

Yeah, I'm debating between a Core2Duo and the Athlon 64x2.  I've heard Core2Duos are better though.  Some of these new motherboards have crazy high FSB ram capicities.  I guess I've been out of the loop for a bit.

I have a E6700 Oced at 3.1ghz.... although the e6300 can get to the same speed on air it has less l2 cache. (2mb vs 4mb) games wont utilize that much cache till UT2007 or Crysis  :wink:  for the GPU i would recommend the 7950gt 512mb 2gb RAM NO MATTER WHAT!!! :twisted: a good psu above 450watts, a nice C2D MB (preferably asus and a 680i). that should run lots of stuff for now

if you really want to go nuts do what i did!

(my specs):
E6700 Oced @ 3.14 GHZ
8800gts (stock clocked...don't need no oc-ing here)
2gb of OCZ Gold RAM
600watt Aspire psu
250x2 RAID 0 SATA 16mb cache HD
NEC DVD-CD-r+- internal
Samsung x18 DVD-rw+- cd-r+- lightscribe External
G-15 KB (arrow keys are bad for SM but WASD is awesome)
Logitch 518 mouse (fps ownage)

and to wrap it all up a 20.1'' Scptere 1680x1050 5ms 1000:1 (contrast ratio) monitor

$1750 (about what its worth now on newegg)

My only input is that if you can make the trip up to ComputerStop and they stock everything you want, it's worth it to have them build something for you.  Their warranties are ridiculous; 3 year parts/labor IIRC and stuff stays at cost for awhile after that (My old system had it's 60GB HD go out after about a year and they gave me a brand new 80 including install and data recovery, which was about $250 in parts/labor for free; my dad had his 40GB go out after 3.5 years and got a new 60 put in for about $20 including recovery, plus they covered free install on a DVD-RW, since they were already opening it up).  Also, wave a Student ID around for 5% off of the full system (get someone to go with you if you have to).  Getting them to upgrade and install hardware for free isn't that did of a deal since you can do it yourself pretty easily, but free HD recovery and free to at cost replacement parts for a few years is a really nice setup.

Woohoo! Someone else knows about ComputerStop!

lots of that stuff is cheaper on newegg dude

Rule #0: READ POSTS.

I thought that would be common sense enough to not require a rule for it, but apparently one needs to be made...

I think I'll just go ahead and slowly buy the components.  First I'll get all the essential barebones and slowly work from there.  Thanks for the help so far.

QFE