BleepingComputer.com: I want it Faster, Stronger, Better!!!! But where to start?

Greetings,

I'm wanting to build a desktop computer that will serve as:
A)Super Gaming Platform
B)Network Server
C)Media Editing Station
D)Work Station

NOTE: size or profiling is not an issue, custom cases can be made.

FIRST THINGS FIRST!!!! Intel i7 processors??? Is it really 8 cores or is it a quad processor with virtual cores that result from hyperthreading?
Is it really that much 'faster' or is it just better 'multi-tasking'?
Please explain these processors to me and the big difference between i3 : i5 : i7

I need a good recommendation on a motherboard. If I can figure that part out the rest will be easy.

I want a good processor; I want to run 2 graphics cards (need HDMI, DVI and VGA capability); I want to have the capability of having 2 Hard drives so I'm gonna need a board that will support that along with all of my other rediculous demands; I want atleast 8GB RAM (DDR3 or DDR5);
I think that's all the big stuff.

Again, if anyone could reccomend a board that could support all that hardware I would greatly appreciate it.

i7 processors have four or six cores. I can't speak for performance, but i3, i5, and i7 are completely different series. It's like comparing the AMD Athlon II to the Phenom II.
Go with a LGA 1366 board with an i7. The LGA 1156 has a 16-lane max for PCI-E. SLI/Crossfire will work better on a LGA 1366 platform.

Here are two high-rated ones.
ASUS P6X58D
EVGA E758-A1

Thanks for the reccomendations. I checked out both of these MB's. Just what I was looking for. The EVGA looks like it has a better layout. Thinkin' I'll go with that one.

Thanks again for the tip.

for3ver,
goose90proof