I wrote up my last computer building experience here. While the hardware is now, of course, dated, the decision processes I used to select specific hardware still apply.

Rule of thumb: find the cutting edge, and take one step back.

For example, I would go with a P4 processor now, but if the latest and fastest has only been out for two weeks, go to the next slowest one. You want systems that have at least a little experience under their belts.

Intel makes good motherboards, but take care in selecting them. Modern motherboards have a lot of things built in now that used to require cards, but you can get locked into them that way too.

All your proposed selections sound good. Note that they have just come out with DVD burners that can read and burn ANY format. I don't know the vendors right off hand--heard about it on the radio--but it might be worth a look.

Don't skimp on cheap RAM, or hard drives. Seagate is a good brand. Don't skimp on the case power supply, either. Overkill in this area is good.

Don't think you need RAID, unless you have a complex backup system.