First and Only time I'll build a PC

[bdaniel]

Hey Everybody!
First, I must tell all of you that this is a most friendly forum, from what I've read. That's the main reason why I am asking your help. I've never built a computer, and probably never will again, so help me out, please.

I found a case I like and I need help filling it.
Here's the case: Newegg.com - SILVERSTONE RAVEN RV02-BW Matte black 0.8mm Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

Now if y'all could put out 2 scenarios for me, that would be wonderful.

$800 excluding case cost VS. $1000 excluding case cost

Please tell me in layman terms what the extra $200 in hardware will get me. (Tell me: Motherboard 2 is faster; do not say: Motherboard 2 has 17 gb cache with a bus system that runs on Natural Gas and comfortably sits 38 people.)
Thank you for helping me. This is probably the only time I'll ever do it, and I really don't have the time to look up components.
Oh-yeah, I play recent games every once-in-a-while (i.e. wife, kids, job) and would like to try out Battlefield 3 when it is released.
Thanks,
B
p.s. No negative comments on the case. I'm splurging, I know, and comments will only result in me crying under my bed for 5 straight hours. Let the old man be. (26, a wife, and three little girls. Does that make me old?)

[glc]

I'm not being negative, but are you sure you want your I/O ports on top of the case?

Before I list any parts, would you please list what you will be using the computer for besides some gaming?

Also, what does the $800 or $1000 have to include besides the contents of the case - i.e. operating system, keyboard, mouse, monitor?

[jdeb]

you may want to consider a case with USB 3.0

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER HAF 932 Advanced RC-932-KKN5-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Compucase Case with USB 3.0 and Black Interior

[bdaniel]

Thanks for replying so quickly,
Unfortunately, work just got very,very busy so I'll have to put off even the consideration of a build for a few months, but I promise I will stop by everyonce in a while and learn something about building computers. I just noticed another sub-$900 build that looked pretty good.
@ glc - no negativity (is that a word?) at all. Is it bad/annoying for I/O ports to be on top? EDIT: I just typed I/O ports in google, and suppose that could be annoying. a very good point, glc.
@ jdeb - thanks for the case recommendation. I'll think about that case when I have time.

Anyways, thanks for your quick replies. I'll check in and look at other peoples builds often, maybe find a pretty much good build for me. But my days just got way too busy. I'll throw a post in periodically, but mainly read and learn in the forums.
thanks again,
B

[kilgoretrout]

First and Only time I'll build a PC

Not likely. Once you build one of your own, it's very hard to go back to prebuilt. After investing in a high quality case and psu which you are obviously going for, it's really more cost effective to swap out the motherboard, cpu, ram than buy a new higher end prebuilt. You also get used to setting up things exactly the way you want them which you can never quite do with a prebuilt.

[David M]

Agreed, I will never go back to a factory built desktop. There is no point in owning a more expensive computer built to bare minimum standards where upgrading is very limited.