For more information and more detailed advice, here are a few things to help out:
Overclock: No as I do not know how to do this.
Optical: I do not have to have a Blue ray as I dont watch blue ray movies. However I would consider it as I plan on this build to last me for the next 3 years. I do like the sound of litescribe, I dont make a lot of discs, but it sounds like fun, is it worth it?
Case: I dont need a gaming look to it, I am more conservative in outward appearances.
OS: Vista 64 with Win 7 upgrade.
As mentioned above, I want this to last for 3 years, so speed, video, and ram seem to be most important? I would like to have everything and monitor included for around $2350, but I can stretch it to $2500. Thanks again in advance.