thanks goat that is really great  ​.

They're remarkably simple to put together. Everything pops in, or slides in and screws in. Give us an idea what you'll mostly be doing (or want to be doing) on your new system, Tigress, and we can give you some good suggestions for system specs.

I'm going to be using lots of different graphics programs such as Adobe Creative Suite, Maya, Sketchup, AutoCAD, Revit, and so on and so forth. I will be storing a lot of photos and images/files created from those programs. I need to be able to run lots of programs at once without my computer going crazy.

I also want it to be fast when I surf the net, stream music, watch videos, and get back into MMORPGs (mainly Gunbound)

I want a big screen to double as a TV, or I might get a TV and have it double as my monitor. I also need about 10 more USB ports, because 2 is just pathetic.

I'm going to be using lots of different graphics programs such as Adobe Creative Suite, Maya, Sketchup, AutoCAD, Revit, and so on and so forth. I will be storing a lot of photos and images/files created from those programs. I need to be able to run lots of programs at once without my computer going crazy.

I also want it to be fast when I surf the net, stream music, watch videos, and get back into MMORPGs (mainly Gunbound)

I want a big screen to double as a TV, or I might get a TV and have it double as my monitor. I also need about 10 more USB ports, because 2 is just pathetic.

Looks like you'll want a dual-core CPU, 3 GB of RAM (the more+faster the better), you'll want a video card for sure (nothing mindblowing but at least a 7300 GT or better), I'd opt for a 320 GB HDD to store loads of files, Vista Home Premium and an HDTV Tuner card/usb stick. 24" widescreen LCD highly recommended.

I wouldn't buy a TV to double as a monitor. TV resolutions are usually inferior to monitor resolutions especially considering price per pixel. The other way around generally works a tad better (computer monitor + TV tuner); however, I find TV tuners don't work worth shit in a Vista enviornment unless you have Home Premium or Ultimate. What I mean to say is that the bundled software usually won't work with Vista - so be on the lookout for this and do your research ahead of time.

If I were you, these are the parts I would buy (assuming a from-scratch setup):

Motherboard: (pick one)
Cheap Ass Motherboard (has all you need if you want 2GB RAM) - $20
Better Motherboard but a bit more... has more RAM slots - $65*

HDTV Tuner - $60
8600 GT Video Card (great deal) - $80*
Core 2 Duo E8400 - $230
2GB RAM... you'll probably have to get creative if you want more - $35*
24" LCD Monitor - $350
320GB Hard Drive - $80
An ATX case to throw it all in - $40
EDIT: Forgot, you'll need a DVD drive or preferably a Blu-Ray drive for vastly better picture on that monitor.

Total - $940

Obviously you could cut back on the monitor to a 22", cut back on the processor quite a bit, and even check out some barebone kits (they can save you a ton of cash). If you were looking at spending more than this, I'd say focus on that processor. It really is the heart of the computer and the more you invest the better your performance.

Anyone agree/disagree with any of my recommendations?

I'd agree with most of that, except personally, I'd have stuck with XP for compatibility, AMD because I'm a cheap bastard, and a CRT for lower price / better Image quality... and because a 21 inch or larger CRT would look like a TV for tigress :3

Oh crap, I forgot to check this topic. $940 total? Wow, I was expecting something way more, since that would be my ideal computer. Time to get this show on the road! Thanks for the help Mr. Epic Hero and goat.

edit: woops, everything that was on sale is no longer on sale 

Tell us what you're looking for, tigress, and what sites you shop on, and we can help you out.

I don't know many sites. I just used the links MEH gave me. I wouldn't know where to begin