Planning a new build, maybe this weekend

[foxyrick]

I might be taking the plunge this weekend, since I'll have some spare time over Christmas.

My main uses and applications are

• VMware workstation for assorted things, sometimes a couple of virtual 64-bit machines running
• Electronics CAD with Pulsonix, Electronics Workbench, CPLD/FPGA design with Altera Quartus and PIC development
• Some chemistry simulation with Accelrys Discovery Studio and Chemoffice
• Adobe Photoshop
• Some gaming; Mostly FPS type games like AvP but I'm not a hard-core gamer

Note that the science stuff is only as an 'enthusiastic amateur' these days, I'm an ex science teacher. No need for fast Quadro cards or Tesla stuff unfortunately.

Other than the ability to do the above, some things I need are:

• At least one eSATA port to connect external HD's (I have a lot, and a drop-in external caddy)
• An internal eSATA port would be nice too, as I also use an internal slot-in caddy
• Dual monitor support (1920x1200 and 1600x1200)

I don't like setting budgets, but lets say £700 (I'll shop around for best prices). I already have a good case and a 520W Corsair PSU (just enough???), HD's and the usual bits and pieces.

I'm thinking of the following:

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD5-B3 or Asus P8P67 Deluxe
CPU: Core i7 2600K Unlocked S1155
HSF: Prolimatech Armageddon and 2x 140mm Akasa AK-FN063 Viper Fan
RAM: 16GB Corsair Vengeance LP DDR3 1600 MHz 9-9-9-24
GPU: MSI GTX 560Ti TWIN FROZR II 1GB or MSI GTX 560Ti 448 Core Twin Frozr III Power Edition 1280MB

Plus I'll need to sort something out regarding the PS/2 keyboard/mouse as I use a PS/2 KVM with three systems attached.

Comments and criticisms invited... although I used to be a real geek about this stuff, I've really lost touch over the last six years+ due to marriage. Blame the wife!

[xiaogray]

what's your choice of hard disk?