Building a Gaming Computer, help anyone :P

[Ryan.volker]

ok, so i am planning on building a gaming computer over a period of time, and its my first one, so im not an expert on parts and everything, i have computer knowledge though. Heres what i would like to build. A windows XP (cheaper and supposidly better for gaming) Pc with about 4-6 gigs of ram? sound good?  a 500-750gb harddrive and hopefully an intel i7 core duo processor (the one with speed boost) Now what i am clueless on is the motherboard i need to suit all these other components. I want to get this case too, but if you have one that works better, you can post it 
 http://xoxide.com/x-purity-exe-edition.html  Thanks in advance, and if possible, can you add as much info on what components i can get, and mabye links if you guys are awesome? 

[rthompson80819]

Budget?

[Ryan.volker]

well im building it over a long period of time, i already have a cdrom drive.. not that their that expensive, but id say about 500-600$? im not expecting it to be super amazing. just enough to play WoW and mabye a few racing games smoothly, and for it to look cool.. case wise. with lights. 

[Ryan.volker]

oh and i meant to say intel i5, not i7

[BC_Programmer]

well im building it over a long period of time, i already have a cdrom drive..

Sorry this made me laugh,  heh

it's like saying "I want to build a car over time- I already have a tire.."

lol 

Personally, I find the case too showy. Usually when you get a case in the lower price ranges you can either choose good cooling or overbearing aesthetics, and I'd have to guess that case falls into the latter category.

Of course, this is all judging from the image and the generic manufacturers text.

My Build used an Antec CoolerMaster Centurion 534, which was recommended in the thread I started when I decided to build the PC I have now (http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,87311.0.html).

 There was no actual discussion on choosing the case, because if memory serves me and Calum spoke through IRC and that was where he suggested the CoolerMaster.

The important thing to remember is that even though the windows "look cool" and let you see inside, they are made of plastic and therefore not as good at conducting heat away from your computer as a full metal case. It's usually not a problem, but sometimes every little bit can help. Besides, the Coolermaster has those silly little LEDs within the mesh bevel on each side, so at least there is something purely for "aesthetic appeal".