Alright, so here are the parts I've decided on from all the suggestions I have received for my bro's comp that he will be using for photo editing, gaming, movies, and music. I've pretty much decided on getting these parts, with the EXCEPTION of the mobo, monitor, and DVD burner. I would like to save a little more money on the mobo, but still want a good one. Are there any other cheaper alternatives for the mobo besides the one listed below? Any other final suggestions are welcome before I order these parts tomorrow.

**NOTE: All these prices have shipping included (if shipping applies) but TAX is NOT included yet**

CPU: $343.99 (free shipping)
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 2.66GHz Processor - 1333MHz FSB - 12MB L2 - 775-pin LGA Socket T

http://www.buy.com/retail/product. [...] 41&loc=101

Mobo: $269.99 + ~$9 for shipping
Asus Maximus Formula Intel X38 ICH9R DDR2 1200 PCI-Ex16 1 5 Motherboard

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ [...] 6&v=glance

CPU Cooler: $29.99
Scythe SCMNJ-1000 80mm Sleeve "NINJA MINI" CPU Cooler

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835185046

RAM: $79.99 (free shipping)
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231122

HD: $109.99 (free shipping)
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136218

Video card: $194.99 AFTER $30.00 MIR + ~$8 for shipping
MSI NX8800GTS 512M OC GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127325

DVD burner: $30.99 + $7 for shipping
Pioneer Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 10X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-R 32X CD-RW 40X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827129020

Power Supply: $144.99 AFTER $25.00 MIR (free shipping)
CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 620W Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139002

Case: $255.99 (free shipping)
Cooler Master CM Stacker 830 Evo Chassis

http://www.buy.com/retail/product. [...] 85&loc=101

Speakers: $245.99 (free shipping)
Logitech Z-5500 Digital Surround Sound Speaker System - 5.1-channel

http://www.buy.com/retail/product. [...] 59&loc=111

Monitor: $495.11 (including tax and some $8 recycler fee at Circuit City -- will be picked up in store); cheapest I've seen this monitor...if anyone else can find this monitor for a cheaper price, let me know please!

Gateway FHD2400 Black-Silver 24" 3ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor w/ 4-port USB Hub and Height & Pivot Adjustments 400 cd/m2 1000:1 - Retail

http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/att [...] OW%2BPRICE

Keyboard + mouse will be wireless...I'm just going to pick those up at a local Fry's Electronic store.

OS: Vista Home Premium 64 (getting it from a friend who can purchase it from his college at a cheap price since he's a comp. programmer)

Total: $2,226.01 BEFORE TAXES

What do you guys think?

mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128089

burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151153

monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824001234

^Agreed. Nice choices on the PSU, CPU, and GPU.

frys had q9300 for about 260 & q9450 for about 300. I think the deals are gone.

Also consider the ASUS P5E.

You need a good sound card with that system, like Creative X-FI XtremeGamer or Asus Xonar.