Just ordered system. Nervous Mac switcher.

Let's see....where do I begin.....
VelociRaptor is overpriced, if you as me. I'd rather get 2x640gb AAKS WD HD's over the $280 HD. My preference..

PSU isn't the best for the $, but should be okay w/42A on the 12v rails. I'd rather have the Corsair 650tx PSU for $93 - $20 MIR = $73!!! Has 52A on the 12v rail and has 2x6+2pin PCI-e power connectors. OCZ PSU has 1x6pin and 1x6+2pin (not much difference, but might make a difference later).
Corsair TX CMPSU-650TX ATX12V & EPS12V Power Supply

The case is nice, but I'd get the Cooler Master 690 case for about $45-50 cheaper!!!
Cooler Master 690 without Power Supply - RC-690-KKN1-GP

The CPU HSF isn't necessary if your not OC'ing. Yes it will keep things a bit cooler, but not needed if your not OC'ing. I'd also consider the Xigmatek s1283 W/THE RETENTION bracket. It's about $45 + $14 for the retention bracket. It can be found a bit less elsewhere, but that will be up to you.
Xigmatek s1283 w/retention bracket
Frosty Tech's review of the Xigmatek s1283!!

I'd probably stick with the stock cooling on the 4870 GPU and just up the fan speed to remove the heat generated better!!! NO cost to do that!!

I'd also consider DDR2 800mHz RAM over the 1066mHz DDR2 that you selected. Unless your going to do some extreme OC'ing the DDR2 800mHz stuff will do!! It'll also save you a bundle too!
$96 - $40 MIR = $56!!! CAS4 (4-4-4-12 speeds!!). The OCZ you picked is only at CAS5 speeds (5-5-5-18 speeds).
Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

I'd also consider getting the RETAIL version of the DVD burner. It comes with the software needed to read/burn DVD's for little cost. I've had good luck with LiteOn DVD's burners, but you can get what you like. Just make sure it's a SATA burner!! The LiteOn that I was looking at is $30 shipped, so it'll save you $10 per drive and it's the retail version too!!!
LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - Retail

Now all of these things are nick pickin', so don't think that you made a mistake, I'm just pointing out things you can consider that'll save you $ and won't hurt performance!! I think if you apply all of my changes above you'd save about $250 over your initial build. You can decide if it's worth it or not.

I nearly completely agree with "lunyone" but let me make one suggestion from my experiance.

Do not get a HIS 4870 (Terrible tech support and RMA service!!)

I suggest you go for the Saphire (link below or a Diamond)

**SAPPHIRE 100243-1GL Radeon HD 4870
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814121278

One more suggestion, I think this 4850 1GB will be more than enough power for your system and you save about $100 that can be used to get a 2nd card down the road or to get your GF something. (And it's overclocked aready!!)

**ASUS EAH4850/HTDI/1G Radeon HD 4850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102795

The Velociraptor if fine.
Expensive, but they handily beat any other consumer drive (even if they are in raid-0). SSD could win, but they are still iffy unless you go very high-end.

Not sure about the Case.....
Sure LIAN LI is a nice name, but where does the Hot air leave? Not many Fan vents....

Here is something in the same price range that is a little less.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119137

There are a number of nice options a little more than the LIAN LI.

Some very good free software for burning cd's/dvd's is called imgburn. It lets you make an image of a disc, then reburn it. Simple, and free. I use a combination of that, and another free program called Deepburner. Also a free program. I went to free programs since Vista came out and all my commercial software didn't work anymore. And they actually do everything I want.

On that macbook pro, that's actually a nice machine. I've got a macbook for work myself. And I'm apple certified as well. Though I do have my pc desktop at home for the games and all that. But you know if you use bootcamp on the macbook pro, it will actually run windows xp or vista. You just need to be sure to buy a retail version.

One good thing about switching from a MAC, you're used to overspending on a computer. I agree with most of the previous comments but would add that I have never had good luck with ATI boards. Mine have always had buggy drivers and VERY poor support. Also, I think you'll find ASUS MBs are always at or near the top of the of list of recommended MBs. One last thing, I've had very good service from Samsung DVD burners & Crucial RAM.

Welcome to Windows: Don't be suprised if it doesn't work

A. The first time
B. The second time
C. The third time
D. All of the above
E. All the time

I honestly didn't know responses here would be this quick. All seem to be legitimate suggestions, even lunyone's self assessed nick picking.

Like I had said though, it's all been ordered and from what I see most of the suggestions would actually be money savings, besides the retail burners. I really had looked at Asus mobos. The P5Q was one of my top, but I was a sucker for newegg reviews. The Antec 300 looks like a great case, that had the look I was going for. I despise flashy LED type towers. I realize that a PC can't be judged by it's cover, but aesthetics was a main reason for buying my macbook.

Anyhow. I am too impatient to canex the order, but the great thing about moving to the PC, especially the homebuilt realm, is that I can upgrade pretty much anything at any time.

My concerns at this point:
Will I have enough power? considering 12V rail on my OCZ PS?
Will I be able to do at least a bit of OC'ing with the Foxconn?
Is the 80 C I'm hearing about in forums ok for a GPU?

@ Ohiou_grad: You're right that the macbook pro isn't horrible. I even upgraded to 4gb. THe problem is I've moved into gaming a bit more. and I'm not enjoying the reboot to go from OSx to windows. So I should rephrase and say that the macbook will be my funtional -email,photos,surfing and entertainment computer, but may be sold depending on how much I enjoy this new build.

@geofelt: thanks for the reassurance. I know I had said all criticism, but I enjoyed having at least one person say that unchanged will be acceptable, maybe too expensive, but acceptable.

I'm not too fond of Foxconn stuff. Their support is pretty bad the few times that I've had to deal with them, even though their products aren't too bad by themselves. You should consider this much better Gigabyte board instead.

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128344

The PSU is O.k, but I would go with something from FSP, Corsair, or Antec. The DDR1066 is fine and is a better choice if you want to overclock. Make sure to get the free assassins creed combo with your CPU just in case you don't already have a copy .

I would have to say that people shouldn't bash windows so hard. I know people who do it ( i room with one) and it basically comes down to the user, not the computer. I have lived with windows all my life and I am starting to adopt linux (which is MORE complicated in terms of usage than windows or mac). Mac is way to easy and unnecessary for my use. Linux is difficult because I don't understand coding, but i'm getting use to using the programs within linux

So, I congratulate you on building your own pc! I do like the attractiveness of Macs, but the hardware stinks. You will enjoy building your own pc! I know I did and i want to build another one.

Your system looks good so far and the things previous posters have mentioned are very good ideas.

The only thing I would have changed is asking for criticisms prior to ordering.
All the components will work fine together.

FSB 1333 is Quad pumped so it is 333*4 which is DDR2 667 (333*2) @ 1:1. You will be fine with that RAM. There is no real world difference in running FSB:RAM at 1:1 or 2:3 etc. Most people here run at 1:1.

Check back before assembly.
Dont handle the components if you have been walking around on carpet.
If you want to be sure you arent holding a static charge in you body just touch a water faucet. Dont work standing on carpet, avoid it.
There are also rubber matts, gloves, grounding wrist straps. Etc.

^BFG /EVGA FTW! (StepUp w00t!) Too bad they don't make ATI cards.