Build my First Gaming Rig - Need Help!

I don't post here that much, but you have to be kidding yourself if you think someone is going to take the time to post a high end system for you...with your 1 post.

Do your research first, d00d.

I've done a bit of research already but just wanted a general opinion of what would be a good build. Any suggestion?

does this include monitor and keyboard?

keyboard yes, monitor no

1 Thermaltake Tai-Chi VB5001SNA Black/Silver Aluminum Extrusion ATX Full Tower Computer Case with liquid cooling system - Retail
Model #: VB5001SNA
Item #: N82E16811133171

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$429.99 $429.99
1 MSI P7N Diamond LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard with SoundBlaster X-Fi Extreme Audio - Retail
Model #: P7N Diamond
Item #: N82E16813130158

Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy

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$299.99 -$20.00 Instant $279.99
2 XFX PVT88GYDD4 GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB XXX 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #: PVT88GYDD4
Item #: N82E16814150267

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$349.99 $699.98
1 mushkin 550150 ATX12V 650W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: 550150
Item #: N82E16817812005

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Mail-in Rebate
$124.99 $124.99
1 Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield 3.0GHz LGA 775 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80569QX9650 - Retail
Model #: BX80569QX9650
Item #: N82E16819115034

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In Stock
$1,099.99 -$30.00 Instant $1,069.99
2 mushkin Extreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) with EPP Profile Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996535 - Retail
Model #: 996535
Item #: N82E16820146677

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Mail-in Rebate
$129.99 $259.98
2 Western Digital Caviar SE WD3200AAJS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: WD3200AAJS
Item #: N82E16822136098

Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

In Stock
$74.99 $149.98
1 Saitek PZ30AU Black USB Wired Standard Eclipse Keyboard - Retail
Model #: PZ30AU
Item #: N82E16823175103

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$49.99 $49.99
1 Logitech SBF-96 Black 3 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Wired Optical Mouse - OEM
Model #: 931637-0403
Item #: N82E16826104026

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In Stock
$10.25 $10.25
1 LITE-ON 2X Blu-ray Disc Triple DVD Burner Black SATA Model LH-2B1S - Retail
Model #: LH-2B1S
Item #: N82E16827106037

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In Stock
$354.99 $354.99
1 LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model LH-20A1L-06 - Retail
Model #: LH-20A1L-06
Item #: N82E16827106072

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$34.99 $34.99
Subtotal: $3,465.12

It is a baseline system I would be willing to email it to you.

A few questions. Are the WD Raptors HDD that run at 10k RPM worth it? I wanted to go raid 0 configuration. Also is the Q6600 CPU worth getting then perhaps upgrade to a new 45nm Intel Chips later on down the road?

I can see the pros in waiting for the price to drop
you should be able to get this to 3.6 fairly easy

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 Kentsfield 2.66GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115027
Price: $539.99

I really don't think raptors are worth 4x what a normal hard drive is but then again I have never owned one.

If you are just going to upgrade later I would go with a Q6600 1/4 of the price of the 45nm right now