Randomuser, I don't have a real scalable vision of my technical abilities. I have been reading alot on basics since 1999. Making simple video card,sound card, and RAM selections and fighting plenty of malware in MS98 and XPhome(software). As a satalite receiving tech for the military my father has profided alot of basic education related to the factors involved. Had to save a couple hard drives ( replace,partition,ask for xp reauthorization ) . I would say maybe a 4ish, (in 1-10) but thats after reading some of your post and really envying, your up to date knowledge and understanding. My 400mhz gate way still runs well, at any rate

. I feel green, in all three of yours presents.
The answer to your sec. question; Well (reluctantly) Gaming. Audio . Photo Editing from time to time. Home office computing. I like engineering (R&D).
The board and CPU I'm looking in to are featured at Newegg as was yours.
DJBpace07, The whole not knowing issue is by far the biggest hurdle before jumping off the fence to purchase the two together. RMAing the board and all that talk, sounds costly from Alaska. But buying through out of state vendor with high turnover seems alot more stable than local market offerings to date. Version 0802 sounds like the one to have even it you don't plan to over clock any time soon, but if the boards supplied BIOS supports the CPU, then I could live without the capability and would most likely leave well enough alone. (For a long while) You mention minimal hardware. If I choose to update. I will read up on this further, but I'm sure PSU,MOBO,CPU,Disk drive ( will a non-Sata drive suffice), peripheral support , And a solidly down-loaded, copy of the BIOS to be installed?
Garmanma, You are correct. Not to many reviews mention the need, and I'm Not sure how recently dated they where. But I bid start with lower reviews and progressed to the better. I have yet to go anywhere other than AZUZ to look at reviews, but I will do so. In one of your many post I've had the pleasure of reading, You mention a sort of dry run build out of the case on the bench? Is this a common practice for Unit preconstruction. It sounds like a fair trial, but static control and surface prep?
Its my hope to put it all in a Smilidon Dirktooth, but all things considered, I'm not off the fence yet.
Thanks to all, for your replies and incite.
(new,12/23/09) ASUS Crosshair III, Phenom IIx4 955 Blk Ed, Zalman 9500 HS, Saphire 5770 vga, W-7/64bit, 8g/Corsair/1600 RAM, 850w HX Corsair PSU, WD CB/500gb HD, Pioneer CD/DVD, Smilodon/Dirk-Tooth(modded), All custom&controlled fans. Shhhh lol