Hi Skott,
Yeah, for doing nothing more than swapping out the stock Intel cooler for the better, quieter Zalman and pulling off the heatsink "skins", I'm pretty happy with a 3.65GHz operation. I'm sure that variances between boards, chips, cooling, etc., can all add up to easily explain a ±0.25 GHz or so difference from one rig to another. My only frustration, similar to what InterMurph mentioned, is simply that I can't seem to get DDR2-1066 operation out of the Corsair memory that I paid a premium for and which was spec'ed at that rate. But, again, that may well be just a current limitation of the ASUS board since it isn't spec'ed for anything better than DDR2-800, which I did obtain under an FSB266 setting and running at a CPU multiplier of 13 for 3.46 GHz operation. But, where I'm at now with a higher FSB of 370 and FSB/DRAM ratio of 1:1, although sub-spec at a DDR2-740 speed, is still a higher performance system. Can't really complain too much, except that I could've likely spent considerably less and still been where I'm at. But, maybe these premium parts provide me some headroom for any future improvements ASUS makes to the BIOS. Time will tell.
I so very nearly bought the Enermax Chakra case rather than the Gigabyte Poseideon, but decided I favored the looks of the Gigabyte. Still, that nice 25cm fan on the door panel of the Chakra seems it should provide some very nice cooling for a mobo prone to running a bit warm. I'm still mulling over an internal Mitsumi reader, but with only one 3" bay externally available, in which I've currently got the Silverstone fan controller installed, I'd have to put one or the other in a 5" bay with an adapter plate. I've got an external card reader that works just fine for me, so I'll probably just stick with that while waiting to see if I ever decide to buy a Dell 2407WFP monitor which has a multimedia card reader built-in. I'd favor that in many ways, especially if my PC tower wound up down on the floor. I was also originally planning to get the Creative X-Fi audio with the front panel until I saw it doesn't offer a 1394 connector as did the Audigy2 ZS Platinum. As the latter is available for just over $100 after a NewEgg rebate, I may still go for it, but again thought I should also just see how well I like the on-board audio before jumping the gun. I have no huge need for the nice Creative front audio panel but tend to be one of those types that overdoes things like this on the "what if someday..." thought pattern......Oops! Screw that plan!...I just checked NewEgg and the rebate ends today, with the Creative board out of stock. But a better plan...Same rebate applies at Buy.com on a cheaper price initially, for a final cost of $69.99! That and a $30 immediate credit also if I sign up for their VISA card...might as well. So, an end price of $39.99 for that card is quite a deal! Of course, that means there are wasted audio ports on the mobo and case panel, but so be it. Time to go place an order and even if I don't use the board in my new rig, I'll swap it out with the Audigy LS version in my older rig that I'll return to use as a media center PC connected to my stereo, where those front panel inputs may even be more useful.
Those Enlobal fans are supremely quiet, but be careful you don't twist the fan a little while mounting it, or you'll likely get some chatter until you reseat the fan squarely.
You should have a nice rig once you've got it assembled...enjoy!
Daryl