Experts please help make final choices

Hi all. I have spent a decent amount of time reading here. I realize that MANY answers are already here in the forum archives, but I wanted to ask a couple here and hope for some enlightened answers from you experts out there.

First of all, I am an amateur builder, about 8-10 machines to my credit thus far.

I am about to build myself a high-end machine for home use. Uses in order of importance:

1) Photoshop manipulations (files ranging from very small to around 50MB files)
2) Gaming
3) Multi-tasking (I tend to work on everything at once, even games at same time)
4) Watching DVD movies (full screen)
5) Internet browsing (cable modem), downloading.

Basically I just want a machine that does everything very fast... of course!

The MOST important thing for me is stability, followed RIGHT behind with blazing speed. I am fortunate enough to have a large sum of money to use for this project ($3,000 - $5,000).

So far here is what I have, its still flexible though.

Intel Pentium 4 3.2GHz
ATI RADEON 9800 PRO 256 MB
Antec True 480 480W power supply
2X WD-Raptor WD740GD Drives in a RAID-0 Config.
1X Samsung 160gb SATA Drive (storage)
2 Gig of RAM (2 sticks) Either OCZ, Kingston Hyper-X, or Corsair XMS.
Cambridge Soundworks Megaworks THX 6.1
Audigy 2 Platinum EX (external box)
Sony DRU510A multiformat OR Pioneer DVR-A06 Drive (DVD)
Lite-on 52X CD
Windows XP Professional
Case - want to be able to easily keep it very cool!

The big question for me is MOTHERBOARD (suggestions MORE than welcome on a Case also) I am considering: Abit IC7-MAX3 (or IC7-G), ASUS P4C800-E Deluxe, maybe Intel D875PBZ
. I have to try to consider the speed and stability of the board, chipset, the RAM capabilities, etc. Stability key, speed a close second. A couple other questionsI have:

1) How to set up my OS, Pagefile, Apps, etc to take total advantage of my set up?
(like which things work best on their own drive, their own partition, etc)

2) I am well aware of the arguments for and against RAID-0 use... Since I am going to use it though, can anyone recommend the best controller to get the most performance? Should it be on-board (ICH5R)? Adaptec? Promise? I dont want a RAID setup if I cant maximize its speed, and this seems like an important piece of that equation.

Well, thanks again to anyone and everyone that can share expert advice on this setup, and more specifically the 2 questions concering motherboard choices and hard drive setup.

Monster

P4C800-E gets better reviews than IC7-Max3. I wouldn't bother with that power supply (TP 480) when you can get the superior Fortron 530W unit for less money.

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