AnotherCasualty wrote:Hi Chrispy..
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...Any more input would be greatly appreciated.
Heya, posting your existing specs really helps us see where you're coming from. Even a $600 econobox would "feel" like a beast compared to what you're using.
If you are sticking with the HDTV at 1366x768, there's no need to get any more graphics horsepower than the sweet spot's 560Ti. It's a card that has ample performance even at 1080p. The TR "sweet spot" build is specifically aiming at the optimum performance per dollar, which matches what you're after perfectly. I see no reason to change that unless you are confident that your change is what you want.
The guide for the sweet spot build includes small 60GB SSD's as an option on the "alternatives" page. I am a total SSD convert (so it's hard not to be biased) but using PC's without SSD's is a chore, and you'll likely be annoyed that you don't have one in the near future as more and more everyday machines start to feel "snappier" and more responsive than your $1000 rig. The Vertex3 is fine, but if you can't find it in stock or at a good price, the Agility 3, Corsair Force 3, Corsair Force GT, or Crucial M4, or even Intel SSD320 will do just fine. I think 128GB is the smart size to get for the moment.
Are you happy with your HDTV? I play WoW still and I love the extra space that my 1920x1200 screen gives me. A 1080p screen is a wise investment, though as an avid gamer I'd suggest you stick with the cheaper TN screens - they're faster responding (and cheaper) than IPS screens and the viewing angles don't matter if you're sitting directly in front of it.
Whatever you end up doing, have fun - and remember there's always plenty of help in the form of assembly guides and these forums.