you can go i7! as for video card, 4870 or 4890... or a 4850x2... or 4830 CF
I'll try to make you an i7 build for about the same price or less, and with i7 mobos you can go both CF or SLI
P.S: at Microcenter, they sell i7 at 230$
EDIT:
https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=9609405
I don't know if that's how we link a wishlist... anyways, you'll tell me if it doesn't work....
add 280$ between the i7 at microcenter and shipping.... Then take out 55$ in Mail In Rebates and 15$ for the combo deal with GPU and RAM... Grand total is 1060$... about the same as you, but this includes the GPU! also, if you don't have a good screen, you can get
This (260$).... total, 1320$ with everything except sound, keyboard+mouse and OS
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