Just got my taxes back... time to build a pc!

[captain_obvious]

I know it has benefits, but overclocking can have an adverse affect on the hardware... 

Which is why you do it carefully and conservatively. As long as your PSU and cooling are good, overclocking can be really safe.

It's only unsafe if you do something stupid. Like trying overclocking an old prescott core cpu without a cooler with a crappy no brand psu.

[El]

Umm, I'm afraid to say I lol'd at this thread.
First thing you should do on any PC build is work out what you want the PC to do for you and go from there....
Could potentially save a lot of money on returns and damaged components.

Re: Overclocking; it is very dependent on hardware.
Some hardware is ok, some isn't, some is designed for overclocking out of the gate.

Spend some time with a calculator working out heat disappation, case volumes and air flow. It can save a lot of tears!

[captain_obvious]

Spend some time with a calculator working out heat disappation, case volumes and air flow. It can save a lot of tears!

That from experience EL??

[milenent]

Here's something from me:
Ci7 860-300$ /870-600$
MoBo:ASUS P7P55D-160$
RAM: KIT 3X2GB DDR3 1600 CL9 KINGST-200$
VGA:ASUS Radeon EAH5870-440$
HDD:1000GB WD Caviar Green-90$
Case: ASUS TA-U1
This is the perfect option.(The prices are current to my country. I don't know what are they in USA.)

[El]

Spend some time with a calculator working out heat disappation, case volumes and air flow. It can save a lot of tears!

That from experience EL??

Nah, I always use overkill. Just read a few horror stories of the Webs.