$500-600 AudioMidi Editing/Gaming. Needs Longevity/Stability

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 2-7 days

BUDGET RANGE: US ~$500-600

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Audio Editing and Midi Sequencing (Sibelius, Audacity, Sonar eventually), Gaming, Schoolwork, General Internet/Applications

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Speakers, OS (Win7 RC or XP as a fallback)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg

PARTS PREFERENCES: Good reputation for longevity, stability, and warranty

OVERCLOCKING: No (unless there's a very good reason. I don't need max FPS on my games, but I do need longevity, low power consumption, and low heat).

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: One good video card is more than I'll probably need, so No here.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1440x900

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I would like this computer to last for quite some time and would prefer to be able to only have to add to the RAM and storage, and not swap out things like the MB, CPU, Video Card, etc. Low power consumption/heat/sound are important considerations in my working and living space. I usually have the $ to buy a new system once every 4 or 5 years, so again, longevity is important.

Initial thoughts were a Quad-Core either AMD or Intel, 2.4+ GHz range (faster is better, of course, but I don't need to top the charts, just feel comfortable and not sluggish), 4GB Ram, ~500GB HD to start with, 4850 or 4870 video, no idea on MB or Power Supply (especially PS I'm a bit confused on). Case not too important, but my current one sounds like a small wind turbine (case needs to have USB/Audio inputs on the front if possible. Smaller and lighter the better, but not a chief consideration). I'm not tied to any particular aspect/part; these initial parts are going off of 6 month old information.

Thank you again

Gotcha! Thank you very much for the ideas, particularly heading towards the low energy/heat standpoint.

My only question is on the DDR3 memory. Is that really the standard things are moving towards, or are the old DDR2 800 sticks doing alright? I might just be behind the times.

Thanks

It would be a stretch to say more expensive.