Thinking about building a new system...

OK...so here go the questions...

AMD or Intel??? - I have always built AMD machines...probably around 7 or 8 compters so far. OK, I know I am still young in this game compared to most of you. I really like what I read about the Core 2 Duo and that is the way I am leaning

Motherboard - Not sure which way to go here. I am not a gamer, but I would like the option to go with dual vid cards for future expandability...so nvidia or Via or ??? Help me out here

Processor - Like I said...thinking about Intel, but I don't have a huge budget so thinking about the E6300

Memory - wow...this is tough. It has been a long time since I bought memory...last time it was PC3200. I want to go with at least 1GB and possibly 2. Again, I'm not a gamer, but I do a fair amount of graphics work with digital pics and all. So I could use some advice here...nothing too expensive, but solid.

Vid card - want to go with one PCIE16 for now and possibly add a second card later. I have always been prone toward nvidia cards in the past, but could use some help with brand and type.

Hard Drive - Thinking about a Western Digital Special Edition drive or a Seagate. Just can't beat the five year warranty with the Seagate.

Sound Card - I have never trusted onboard sound so have always gone with a Creative sound solution - I'm thinking about the Creative X-Fi

Power Supply - again, it's been a long time...and I know I need a PS that will be powerful enough and capable of handling the new systems...so I need some solid advice here.

Case - don't need anything really fancy, but would like an aluminum case. I have a Lian Li right now that I love, but this one will most likely go to my wife so I need some suggestions.

Speakers - again, the present Klipsch 2.1s will go to my wife for her quilting projects and her music so need some suggestions.

Anything else you can suggest.

I am guessing that my budget over time will be between $1200 and $1400, so let me know what you think might fit my parameters. Thanks for the help to all who read and post.

Welcome back to the forums. You've got many options with that budget.

Right now, the Core 2 Duo is a great price/performance chip. I'm running a E6400 (2.13GHz) at 2.93GHz with no problems on a P5B Deluxe.

At this time, I would recommend a Core 2 Duo, the fastest you can get for your budget. Remember that these chips overclock well, but that is gravy.

As for motherboard, the P5B Deluxe from Asus is awesome. You maybe can wait till the Nvidia 680i/650i chipsets come out in force more. They are pretty expensive compared to the i965 chipset from Intel.

Memory: I am partial to Geil since I've had the stuff for over a year and it is rock solid and works with stock voltages. You can pick this 2GB platinum kit up for $200. I've used the PC2-5300 stuff, but the PC2-6400 is comparably priced.

Video: Let's see what others have to say... I like ATI myself. Nvidia has the top graphics chipset currently, though. You said that you aren't a gamer and from your post it doesn't look like you'll be doing much 3D work. I'd say a $150-$200 card from either company would be fine.

HDD: Good choices. I'd pick Seagate for the perpendicular technology lead. Are you thinking about RAID?

Sound Card: Agree with you about onboard sound. The X-Fi I hear is good.

PSU: Antec. They have a new Trio line that looks pretty good. Get a big power supply to be safe. At least 450W. http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=23550

Case: The Antec 900 looks yummy. It isn't metal, but it looks great. http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=15900

Speakers: I have the Logitech z640s and they sound great. You may want to look at much higher end models because the Klipsch are high end speakers.

I have a suggestion. Do not skimp on the monitor or input devices. These are the most important aspects of your computer... not the guts.