So a couple of days ago, my laptop decided it didn't want to work anymore, and the video chip died. In light of that, I've decided to build a new desktop. However, I have not been keeping up with the current technology since I bought my laptop almost four years ago. My roommate just built a desktop and got an Intel Core i5 2500k, but I don't know if that's the best bang for my buck or not. I already have a monitor, mouse, keyboard, and speakers. I'll probably be working with an ideal budget of $1000 (preferably less), but if absolutely necessary I may be able to bump it up to $1200. This desktop will be primarily used for gaming, movies, and school work. If at all possible I'd love for it to have a Blu-ray drive and 1TB or more of HD space. I'm currently looking at this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153&Tpk=rosewill%20challenger, but will gladly take suggestions on cases you guys recommend. So basically, I just need help picking out the parts that I need to stay within my budget. Obviously, I'm more than willing to build it myself, as I know it isn't very difficult.

I'm on my phone at the moment otherwise I'd gladly put something together, but one other quick question for the people who will come behind me, do you need an OS?

I already have Windows 7, mine is 32-Bit. However, correct me if I'm wrong, I can use my 32-Bit key with a 64-Bit installation disk. If not, I'll need one, but I should be able to get it fairly cheap from my school store.

If you want to keep the price down, you may want to consider buying one of the cheapest available 1GB DX11 cards:

NVIDIA

• GTS 450 (~ $100-120)
  
• GTX 460 (~ $130-160)

AMD

• 5770 (~ $110-130)

$1K is a good budget. I just recently built a system for that much with a 2500K, monitor, and a Radeon 6870. See what can be done here:

CPU+RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.644341
COOLER: http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-Sleeve-RR-B10-212P-G1/dp/B002G1YPH0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305704847&sr=8-1
CASE+MOBO: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.646552
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020
GPU: http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx?Submit=view
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

That comes out to under $1020. There are ways to get it under $1K, but these components are nice for jus a bit more. The Radeon 6950 I linked is a reference design version that has a high chance to be unlocked to perform like the Radeon 6970 by simply flashing a BIOS. Guide here:
http://www.overclock.net/amd-ati/923129-hd-6950-810-1250-mhz-shader.html




That should be the case, but will need to be a clean install. Can't have both running on one key...it's one or the other platform. This might be helpful:
http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/25212-both-32-64-bit-version-one-disk.html

Awesome, thank you so much Tig. I ordered the parts you suggested and managed to get the total to under $900, can't wait to get this baby up and running.