[Failsafe]

I've been limping along, gaming on budget laptops for a while now (last desktop I got was in '03) and I've finally got some dough together to build a real gaming rig. I'm also planning to start shooting some little video projects for YouTube and I'm hoping I can use one computer for both.

1. Are you building this computer yourself or having one built for you (Like HP, Alienware, or even a small shop)?
I'll build it

2. What is your budget and does that include shipping/taxes?
$1000, not including shipping/taxes. I could stretch another $100 or so if there were a significant performance benefit

3. Where do you live (Please list town, state, and country)?
St Louis area, Missouri, US

4. What do you need this computer to do (like gaming, Photoshop, and so on)?
I need it for gaming and for editing/producing small video projects I'll be shooting myself. I'm hoping those two uses can compliment each other.

5. What parts will you need for the computer? List what parts specifically, saying you need everything will not do.
I'll need the case and everything inside. Motherboad, CPU, video card, power supply, DVD drive, hard drive, RAM. I'm thinking an SSD would be helpful as well. Hope I didn't forget something.

6. Are you reusing any parts for this computer? If so say what parts (make and model).
No

7. What kind of monitor/resolution do you have or want to get to use for the computer?
I have an Acer A221HQV 21.5 in 1920x1080. I also have a 47in Vizio HD tv with VGA and HDMI inputs.

8. Do you have already have a OS or do you need one? What OS is that?
I don't have an OS. I want to go with Windows, but I don't know where things stand with 7 vs 8. As far as having a weird or unintuitive interface on 8, that doesn't matter to me at all. I'm just interested in which will give solid performance for the next couple of years. The verdict may not be in yet on 8, I don't really know.

9. What are you looking for the motherboard to have feature wise? Like SLI, Crossfire, Firewire, USB 3.0, Sata 6.0 Gb/s, and so on.
Firewire and USB 3.0. I'd also like HDMI out.

10. Any plans to overclock the CPU or GPU?
No

11. What time kind of time frame are you planning on ordering these parts?
I can order right now, but should I wait for "cyber monday"? Are deals typically better before Christmas or are there closeouts after Christmas? I can wait til January if I can save some money.

Thanks a lot for you help. Please let me know if you have questions.