1600 x (something, can't remember)... I can get easily run at 1900 x 1200 but there are occasional slowdowns which infuriate me.

so if I got a i5 2500k cpu, msi mobo, corsair tx 750 psu, gtx 570 gpu, corsair 8 gb ram, would I be making a mistake? I don't think I could afford the intel ivy bridge when it first comes out so thats off the table, unless it's priced at 250 or less, which I doubt. I like the fact that I could pick it up later, same with the video card, would like to spend 1200 US dollars or less and upgrade again when 580 and ivy bridge drop in price. would 2 570 gpu trump 580? would think so.

Should be fine depending on your power supply. Only the i5 if you're going to overclock (very easy though).

Do you remember the old Joke? Hey i just spent $1500 on a new computer to play a $50 game!... :)

You can only future proof yourself so much...the best bang for the buck right now is the I5 (and i am an AMD fan) the 6 core will do you no good at the moment...the only benefit to buying AMD right now would be getting one of the ASUS boards that "claims" will support the new bulldozer chip when it comes out...but that in itself is a crap shoot as to which will actually be better (AMD or INTEL).

I have always built my own systems and what i have learned is this A chain is a strong as its weakest link
You can buy the best video card on the market and put it in a 2 year rig and your performance will be relative to the over all power of the PC i.e PSU+CPU+MEM+MB+VIDEO=?

When i upgrade i choose the 4 horsemen first (CPU,MB,MEM,PSU) and video last...I got 30 more FPS out of an old video card once by just upgrading the back end (the 4 horsemen)

I try to build my PC with one upgrade in mind..why?..because most computer technology is obsolete by the time it hits the store shelf's.. and thats why i said you can only future proof your self so much.
My current rig (see sig) will get one more 5750 and maybe a 6 core but after that it will be a whole new build.
My advice to you would be to give us a price point (how much you got to spend) and we will spec you the best bang for your buck.

S!

1200+- US dollars, what would you recommend?

I'm happy with my specs although could go for a better GPU. My PSU is excessive for most systems. Save $100 by getting the i5 instead of i7 unless you do a lot of video editing.

no video editing, I only play il2 1946, rof, lockon

Sounds fine but like said I would go for a 1st gen i7 (save cash=SB i5) or a SB i7 rather than i5 because in a year or two 4 threads will be limiting.

Yes, I'd agree with that if your upgrade cycle is more than 2 years.

By then he swaps his cheap i5 2500k for an ivy bridge cpu instead.