[pullmyfoot]

Since you picked AMD in the first place (and being bias to them), I'm gonna go with an AMD CPU. Their New Phenom IIs are really putting them back into being competitive with Intel. Don't worry about the CPU not having any reviews. Its brand new (in today). And I can assure you its quality stuff. And it beats the crap out of the older model of the Phenom you chose.

Just so you know, AM3 is coming out soon (your board has an AM2+ socket). However, you still have quite a bit upgradability with this board because all the new AM3 CPUs will be able to run in AM2+ sockets. In any case, if you don't happen to be extremely demanding on your hardware this should last you a good 2 years at least.

CPU ($275):Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X4 940 3.0GHz 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor - Processors - Desktops
Mobo ($189): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131339
Ram ($56): Newegg.com - OCZ SLI-Ready Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory
Graphics ($245): Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
PSU ($105): Newegg.com - PC Power & Cooling S61EPS 610W Continuous @ 40°C EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies
Hard Drive ($80): Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives
DVD Drive ($26): Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners

Case is personal preference, but may I recommend this one? IM its one of the best you can get on the market. Its quality, good cooling and looks good too . Can't go wrong there.

Case ($100): Newegg.com - Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

May I recommend this monitor instead? Its gonna beat the crap outta the Dell. Dell's monitor quality has been slowly detororiating.

Monitor ($310): Newegg.com - LG L227WTG-PF Black 22" 2ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 10000:1DCR with HDCP Support - LCD Monitors

The total for that is below $1400 before tax and shipping. You can probably find about a hundred or so worth of rebates in there, maybe even more - I didn't really check. But you may not get all of them.

If you're comfortable with spending a little more on a graphics card then may I suggest this baby. Its pretty much the top performing card on the market right now.

Newegg.com - ASUS EAH4870X2/HTDI/2G/A Radeon HD 4870 X2 2GB 512-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards