My current computer is at least 5 or 6 years out of date (it's a hand-me-down from my uncle, and wasn't even that great 5 or 6 years ago), and so I have decided that enough is enough. I've always wanted to be able to play games at my own place and not need to go visit friends just to get some good gaming in and I've decided it's time to build my own gaming computer. Now, gaming isn't my only goal, I also just plain will need a computer for university that will handle 3D rendering (with programs like Maya or Blender), as well as run Adobe software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, etc.
So I plan on building a computer, and I want to go BIG. Now I don't mean I plan on getting the best of the best for every component, mostly by big I just mean my goal is to have a decent computer that can run games smoothly on high video settings, and I want to make my own case. The dream here is to have a Christmas themed case (don't ask, I just think it would be cool - I plan to call it Rudolph), made out of wood primarily (if possible), with a window in the side panel area, some red LED lights throughout, etc. (I have a couple designs that I can upload later).
So really my point in all this is that I was hoping that somewhere I could find someone - or multiple people - who would be able to help me figure out what is and isn't possible, what parts I should be looking at getting, and just help me figure it all out in general.