Need advice for $1300 all-purpose build

I'm getting ready to build my first computer and need some advice. I'm looking to spend around 1300 USD for an all-purpose computer that will be shared by my wife and I.

Neither of us are really big gamers, but I do enjoy the occassional Total War game or something from the Civilizations series.

We are both big multitaskers; we often have browsers with multiple windows/multiple tabs open while working on Word/Excel, while watching a movie in a seperate window. Biggest priority, no lag and no stalls while moving back and forth between programs. Also, I HATE waiting for stuff to boot/load.

I also want the system to serve as a file server for the rest of our home. My wife uses a laptop, I use an iPad, we have two Apple TVs, etc. I'm hoping for a fast SSD for our boot drive and then a couple of large HDD for redundent storage. Also planning on a blu ray burner for hard copy backups fo things like family photos/videos.

Also looking for a nice monitor; I'm hoping a good quality 27 inch monitor, but I can go smaller for quality. I don't do a lot of video/photo editing, but I want the real estate to work on multiple things at once and have it all look very nice while I do.

So, hopefully that gives you an idea.

Approximate purchase date: Next four weeks

Budget Range: 1300 USD; cheaper is always better, but I can flex if I need to.

System usage: See above.

Monitor: Yes, I need one. High quality is important, would like 27 inches but can go smaller for better quality.

Parts to upgrade: Everything, including keyboard and mouse. Both my wife and I spend a lot of time typing and need a comfortable keyboard.

OS Needed: Yes, probably windows 8.

Preferred Website: Newegg or Amazon. I'll be buying everything online.

Parts Preference: I'm not married to anything, but I've been an Intel guy since the beginning.

Overclocking: I've never done it before, but maybe this time around.

SLI or Crossfire: Not likely; the only way I would consider it is if I decided to go dual monitor later and needed to do it. I don't play enough games with high end requirements to justify it.

Monitor Resolution: Whatever the new monitor is.

Additional Comments: The system will probably live in our family room so it needs to look respectable, can't sound like a jet engine, and ideally won't require its own power grid (it will likely be on most/all the time). Also, I want to make sure I've got he full complement of USD 3, HDMI, etc inputs.

Thanks in advance for any advice/assistance.