Intel High end office PC build assistance requested

Summary - I am looking to build my first PC for the following applications. Any and all advise and recommendations are greatly appreciated. The PC will be used primarily as an 'office' PC, with some specific usage/limitations and criteria.

Office use * See also note on virtualization/VPN access * - Very heavy MS Office 2010 suite user [including SharePoint Designer, Large (200,000 row) excel files, Access and Outlook with several 10 gig .pst files.]

Media use - some video transcoding

WMC - Limited media center duties

Virtualization - Much of my day-to-day activities MUST occur within a virtual Windows 7 machine (due to VPN tunnel/lock-down [Virtual PC <==>Locked down to corp network Host <==>to public network])

Storage Area Network - I want a large case, and at least 8 SATA II ports to use this as an iSCSI Target server. Note - I am not considering any of the disk storage cost over and above a 'system' disk in the initial build. I will add disks over time.

Existing Equpment: Monitor I have 2 Dell UltraSharp U2410 Resolution:1920x1200
{Usually one displays the 'corp' locked down Virtual windows 7, the other displays the host/ personal PC}

Approximate Purchase Date: (11/2010)

Budget Range: Under $2,000 if possible. Excludes the monitors, Disk drives (except for a system disk) and may exclude RAM over 8 GIG.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Most = 10 Least = 0
Virtualized 'Office' PC: 10
Media PC: 7
SAN/File Storage : 8
Gaming: 2


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: (newegg.com, tigerdirect)

Country of Origin: (USA)

Parts Preferences: (I would like to use an Intel CPU and full tower case. I 'think' I want an Intel MOBO, just because I think it would be easier for me as a first time builder, but, you folks are the experts.)

Overclocking: Maybe, but value system stability and limiting heat over any overclocking needs.


SLI or Crossfire: / No / not needed


Additional Comments: Will need to be able to have 16 gig+ of memory for virtualization. But, like the SAN DISK costs, if needed, I can deploy this with as little as 8 gig, and add ram over time.


Thanks very much for taking the time to read this. Any advice you may have would be appreciated!