Anyone know any good websites for comparing components, explaining what I need, etc.?
It's my first attempt, and I want something solid that I can play a few games on, record some television, and just mess around on. Just a fun project to work on.
If you're going to be building a PC that will record TV and also send TV-out to your TV, I'd look at htpcnews.com. They're the best resource on the net for that kind of stuff. I just built my own HTPC and that website was invaluable.
You should do a search on this forum as well as Cactus Cafe. I'm not sure if they are still available but there have beens several threads on this subject with some good information. Hayden or someone from New York have some really good information?
i second what idigTexas said; those are the first places that came to my mind. they offer guides for different price range systems and are usually pretty current with product reviews, especially anandtech.