Anyone mind helping with a Gaming Rig?

Well, here's the build so far. Please let me know if anything can be changed for better performance, but sticking around the same price!

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=14941727

 

It's reasonable, but there's little point going high end with a very small monitor, you should really alter your budget so you can get a 20" monitor with a much better resolution.

 

Any suggestions that are within a reasonable price range?

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001273
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824116091
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824005119

 

Unfortunately, I'm already over budget--after shipping and taxes, well over (about $200 more than I expected). So, if anyone could look over what I have so far, and let me know if there is anything that will keep performance but cost a bit less, please let me know!

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=14941727

 

You don't need the 550W PSU, the 450 will do:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003
That saves $10 and adds a $15 mail in rebate.

Change to the E7400 CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115206
To save another $45.

Drop to the EP43-UD3L board:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128380
to save $20.

Since you're using a bottom end monitor, you won't need the HD4870 either, so get this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102822
to save $75.

 

Sounds great! I love saving $$ =)

Being the newb I am, how well do you feel this will perform? Will it be safe to overclock the CPU?

 

Yes, it will be safe to overclock the CPU. I should advise you this is a much lower performing system than the one I originally specified, but it should still do just fine. To save a bit more, you can cut the CPU down to an E5200:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072
for another $47 saved, as when you overclock the difference between the 5200 and 7400 becomes less significant. To overclock the CPU significantly though, an aftermarket cooler like this will be necessary:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608003

 

At that point the money saved on the CPU just gets put toward the cooler. I really don't plan to overclock much, just want to make sure it's safe.

 

It will always be safe, the cooler you use just limits how far you can go before you'll get stability problems.

 

Which of the monitors you posted do you like best with this new setup:

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=11270306

Obviously ignore the monitor I listed. Someone else also mentioned that the one I have selected is a bit lower-end. I'd like to stay in the same price range, obviously being the money tight-bastard I am =)

 

Well, what's your total budget? Ultimately, I think you'll get more out of a system with a bigger monitor than a faster processor, especially since you're willing to overclock a little.