Opinions on new build please

[Joker]

My brother wants to put together a new machine as a general use computer, but it must run AH well.
I haven't looked at hardware for some time now, and I'm hoping to get the opinions of the experts here about this list that he and I picked out on Newegg last night.
He has around $1k to spend, but he is a little flexible there.
 
Are the newer cpu's significantly faster ( would you notice it in AH? )? I was wondering about the newer quad cores vs the E8400. 
Are the DDR3 based mobo's a lot faster than DDR2? DDR3 looks to be about 3x the cost. Again....just curious if you would notice it while playing AH.



Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
Item #:N82E16819115037
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy$164.99

ASUS P5Q SE/R ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #:N82E16813131335
Return Policy: 30 Day Return Policy-$10.00 Instant
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate
$104.99
$94.99



CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
Item #:N82E16820145229
Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy$66.00


SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 3870 100225L Video Card
Item #:N82E16814102719
Return Policy: 30 Day Return Policy-$5.00 Instant
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate
$99.99
$94.99

Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
Item #:N82E16822136317
Return Policy: 30 Day Return Policy$109.99

2 @ SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q
Item #:N82E16827151173
Return Policy: 30 Day Return Policy$53.98


Antec Nine Hundred Black Computer Case With Side Panel Window
Item #:N82E16811129021
Return Policy: 30 Day Return Policy-$30.00 Instant
$139.99
$109.99

PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W Power Supply
Item #:N82E16817703009
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy-$30.00 Instant
$35.00 Mail-in Rebate
$169.99
$139.99

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE Sound Card
Item #:N82E16829102003
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy$27.99

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 32-bit for System Builders
Item #:N82E16832116485
Return Policy: Software Return Policy-$10.00 Instant
$109.99
$99.99


Fire away...let me know if this is OK, or if there is a better set of components for that amount of money.
Thanks!
Joker

[Getback]

Looks great. I use the 3850 vc and it does a pretty good job.

[BaldEagl]

Looks pretty good.  I'd want to go with a Creative X-Fi over the Audigy and I'd want to put a little more $ into the video card.  To do that you could save a little on the case picking a different model and the 610W PCP&C PSU would be sufficient unless he plans on going Crossfire or SLI in the future.

[eagl]

Audigy 2 ZS is a good soundcard and usually cheaper than the x-fi.

[TilDeath]

I would look at OCZ memory, better timings and rebates.  The NZXT Tempest case is a way better choice over the ANTEC 900 for the same or less money.

[Getback]

I would look at OCZ memory, better timings and rebates.  The NZXT Tempest case is a way better choice over the ANTEC 900 for the same or less money.

I had to look at the nzxt case, Yep a nice one and has the power on button on the top. Always important if you set you computer on the floor.

[Denholm]

I disagree with only three of your choices. The P5Q motherboard from ASUS has recently received a larger-than-normal amount of complaints about failures or out-of-the-box problems. The hard-drive, while attractive, may not be that great of a deal. I noticed that SATA hard-drives over the 250GB size margin seem to have higher failure rates. Why I don't know, however if you don't need all the space you might consider downsizing on that one for a more reliable hard-drive. I've never liked Vista, try XP Pro SP3. If you downgrade the hard-drive you might be able to shift that money to the new OS.