Up and running

 

Motherboard GIGABYTE, GA-EP45-UD3P P45 775 R
CPU Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 2.66 GHz 1333FSB L2-6MB
Video Card EVGA GeForce GTX 260 896MB DDR3, 65 nm
CPU Cooler Noctua NH-U12P (single fan)
System Memory Corsair Twin2X4096 - 6400C5
PSU Corsair 650TX (650W)
Case Lepont Electronics SF-201-B al-mg alloy
HD Western Digital 640 GB Caviar Black
HD Western Digital 1 TB Caviar Black
HD Samsung 500 GB ESATA (in Thermaltake al case)
Optical Drive Samsung Internal Half Height DVD/Burner
Mouse Kensington Expertmouse Trackball
Input WACOM Intuos 2 GraphicsTablet,
Monitors

Dell Ultrasharp 19 in

Dell G2410 24 in

Printer Epson Stylus Color 760 (the eternal machine)
Speakers Creative Labs Inspire T3000

 

For Media

 

Motherboard Asus P5N-SLI Socket 775 nForce 570 SLI ATX
CPU Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.36 GHz 1066FSB 4MB
Video Card PNY GeForce GTX 9600 GSO
CPU Cooler Zalman CNPS9500 LED
System Memory Corsair Value Select (4 x 1GB) DDR2 667 (PC2 5300)
PSU Enermax Liberty PS-ELT620AWT (Modular)
Monitor HP w2207h

 

Buidling your own?

Click on the logo. Tech Reports (TR) takes you through how to build your own computer, step-by-step. You can't fail.
The Tech Report System Guide (just type 'system guide' into the search box, and it'll take you there) is an invaluable tool/guide for the home-builder.

 

The arrows indicate the CPU cooling tower support brackets. X-shaped brace underneath board

 

Fully populated motherboard in slide-out tray

NOTE: No more mobo tray-sliding with the cooling tower installed - dang it!

 

Power supply and cables - only fans remain to be hooked up

 

aluminium-magnesium Lepont Electronics SF-201-B

All of the sellers I use have a high rating on the Web. That is important to me. I rather pay a few dollars more for an item, than spend days of anguish trying to get things straightened out with an uncooperative merchant. So, while price is important, don't let it be the sole motivator for your purchases.

The newest cases actually route the cables behind the motherboard, for a completely 'clean' mobo surface (pretty, excellent airflow, & unhindered access to all on-board components).

So, after you finally have your new computer up and running make sure that you revisit the component manufacturers to see if there are BIOS or driver upgrades available.

reviews & prices Tom's Hardware & Store
reviews & prices The Tech Report
reviews & prices CNET

 

Note the (smoothly running) motherboard pull-out tray

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