:thumbsup: Someone with realistic expectations.
(just tired of seeing "I want to spend a zillion dollars, so the PC needs to last a decade")
I'm in agreement with others. You are putting WAY too much money into a motherboard. What does paying $300 for a motherboard give you that a $150 motherboard won't? Uh, maybe a second LAN and a fixed USB Bluetooth module? Maybe support for super duper extreme fry-your-CPU overclocking? Eight extra SATA ports? Better performance? Oh wait, it won't give you that. :hmm:
Get an SSD (check hot deals, prices change daily/hourly and you can save a bundle) and a 2x8GB RAM kit. No need for super fast stuff either.
I would actually do the CPU/mobo combo first with the SSD/OS, keeping your RAM and graphics card since those are easy-swap upgrades.
I started in the "last a decade" camp... then I built two computers. I'm used to buying for AMD, where going for broke made sense. But now that I'm switching over to Intel, you, and everyone else, is absolutely right. With the sockets likely to change every generation or so, there isn't much need to buy the top dollar stuff.
In regards to the OS, and my comment earlier about Windows 8, is there a reason to not upgrade to 8? From a technical standpoint? I know lots of people gripe about the layout, which I entirely understand, but I just curious if there was a reason I shouldn't take advantage of the introductory pricing.