it's the last good windows version for actual desktop centric users...the two HDDs are because i'm thinking if i can do said build, i might try to dual boot some linux distro. as for one monitor, i do not require more than one. and i figure some money can be saved that would go into software.

Except it is good for desktop users. Have you actually used it for a decent amount of time?

noncompatible machine. we outdated now. i've just seen a lot of negative reviews from people who've been long time windows users.

Have you considered Windows 8 + Windows 7 shell? Windows 8 is better than Windows 7, and there are ways to get back the start menu and the old look. If you're getting a $4000 build that's going to be way overkill for single-monitor gaming. It's going to be a waste unless you're on three monitors. $2000 is more like it if you want to go all out on a gaming rig. Then again what is the purpose of this computer?

to be a god-tier workhorse for business [b]or[/b] gaming that will not ever need any hardware upgrades for [b]at least[/b] 10 years. it needs to meet the most demanding of gaming requirements: TF2, GFWL, Steam, Minecraft, FC3, skyrim, etc.

10 years for gaming? It would be hoping if you wanted 5 years. For business anything is good. Except if you are doing like rendering or video editing.

10 years for business.

Why would you need $4000 dollars for a business computer?

i dream of supercomputer. it will do anything i want it to. maybe even cook my dinner if the cooling isn't good enough... yeah, i just want all the best parts i can buy, just because. it's a made up limit because this is all in fact, hypothetical. i don't really know much about DIY computing...thus this is educational and entertaining thread that tells me best parts to use. // is it really worth it to use gold plated wires and connectors? and how does monster get away with $200-$400 for an hdmi cable? surge protector or no?

Surge protector = Yes. HDMI cables = the cheaper, the better. All that stuff about "gold plated hdmi connectors" is essentially bullshit. A $3 cable will give you just as good video quality as a $60 one. Any talk about "signal degradation" is rubbish, since at most you'll be using a 9 foot cable to connect your monitor to your PC. You'd need distances far greater than that to experience any noticeable degradation in your audio/video signal with HDMI. And you won't break the cable unless you knock your monitor off your desk or something, in which case, a cable will be the least of your worries.