Getting a custom PC, please help me build one...

Hey! Okay, I've been using this PC for 7 years now (I know... really long time :?)! Anyway, my dad finally caved and we're getting a new one. Now I gave some specs but I'm the worlds greatest noob when it comes to PC hardware and OSs and stuff so I need some help.

These are the stuff that are on the price quota but we wanna improve them:

Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4 GHz Processor
Gigabyte P35DS3L Motherboard
4GB DDR2 RAM
1TB SATA HDD (2x500GB)
DVD Writer
FDD
Nvidia GeForce 8800GT 512MB PCI Express
Vista Ultimate 64-bit

Now I said that I'm a total noob, but I know for fact that we can improve on the Graphics card and maybe the processor. Now I'm gonna use this for all sorts of things from Photoshop to Gaming but I don't really do programming or anything like that. So really, Web Browsing, Photoshop and Flash and other designing programs and games... Games that run fast.

What I need to know now is how I can improve on this system. Tell me everything which is good and everything which I can change and what I should get instead of what it is I have on there. Price is not an issue. Tell me the best of the best. Another question, do you recommend I switch to 64-bit yet, or should I just stick to 32-bit? As I said, I don't use THAT many non-liscenced programs, so I doubt compatability would be an issue. Either way, tell what I should change and with what sould change it because I really want a good PC.

Thanks alot for your help guys, really appreciate it :D!

If you're thinking of the Q6600, I'd scrap it in favor of the Q9450. More cache, faster FSB, and slightly improved architecture are all nice.

P35 had its time in the sun, but it's time for P45 now. The board you picked out is good, but switch to the EP45-DS3L instead.

The RAM look good, but make sure it's a 2x2GB configuration, not 4x1GB.

Regarding the graphics card, you could do much better. I'd recommend the HD4850 at least, but that really depends on how much you're willing to pay for the best of the best. I personally wouldn't bother with anything higher than the HD4870, but I'm a more conservative type when it comes to PC hardware.

And don't get Vista Ultimate, that's a waste of money. Vista Home Premium 64-bit is the way to go.

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8600 / Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 (if you want a Quad)

CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-C12P / Artic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro / Zalman 9700 LED / Tuniq Tower 120

MoBo: Asus P5Q-E or Asus Maximus II Formula (if you'll not Crossfire) / Asus Striker II Formula or Asus P5N-T Deluxe (if you want SLI) / Asus Rampage Formula or Asus Maximus Formula (if you want Crossfire)

GPU: HD4870X2 / GTX280 / HD4870 / GTX260 / 9800GX2

PSU: Corsair HX-1000W / Corsair HX-620W / Corsair TX-750W

RAM: GSkill 4Gb DDR2 800Mhz PK / Corsair 4Gb DDR2 800Mhz XMS2 / Corsair 4Gb DDR2 1066Mhz Dominator / OCZ 4Gb DDR2 1066Mhz Reaper HPC

HDD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 7200Rpm SATA II 640Gb / Western Digital Velociraptor 10.000Rpm SATA II 300Gb

Case: Antec Twelve Hundred / Cooler Master Stacker 832 / Thermaltake Armor+ / Cooler Master Cosmos-S 1100 / NZXT Tempest / Cooler Master 690

Sound Card (if you want one): Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional / Auzentech X-Fi Prelude / Asus Xonar DX

Here some suggestions...

"corsair dont' even make there own" Yeah, Corsair PSUs are made by Seasonic...Sordidus

And CWR. Corsair HX-1000W / Corsair HX-620W / Corsair HX-520W / Corsair TX-650W = Seasonic

Corsair TX-750W / Corsair VX-550W / Corsair VX-450W = CWR

case & psu are different case are airflow. voltage is eletronical : Voltage : rail track ask rayvinazn
AMD Gamer is a offical placce to know it
I being told by sprintcomptuer who did repair several Corsair PSU in a yaer that it broke much more often then thermaltke / Antec by juding the failing rate. when people try to overkill it by run 4870x2 & CF with unrecommendation well ask rayvinazn what he think of all that

And CWR. Corsair HX-1000W / Corsair HX-620W / Corsair HX-520W / Corsair TX-650W = Seasonic

Corsair TX-750W / Corsair VX-550W / Corsair VX-450W = CWR

Sordidus