Hey guys

Recently I've decided to start 5-boxing, so to actually accomplish that I would need to make a new rig. I've built a couple other rigs before but I haven't followed the hardware scene since then. My budget is quite high (2500-3500 AUD), so it is available to quite a few options.

I am currently interested in 5-boxing on a single PC with my main on one screen with max res, and the 4 alts on the other. I've noticed quite a few other multi-boxers enjoy the same setup, so I have no doubts this is the direction I want to head in.

My current buy list looks like this:

Note: Prices and models in USD from Newegg. I know they don't do international shipping but I thought the site had a nice wishlist :P . The Australian prices on the end for the same models from staticice.com are the cheapest found in Australia.

CPU: Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core. = 289.99 USD = 469 AUD.
Mobo: ASUSRampage II Extreme LGA 1366Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard = 398.99 USD = 679 AUD.
HD: Western Digital VelociRaptor 150GB 10000 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive = 179.99 USD = 289 AUD.
Video: XFX GeForce GTX 285 Black Edition 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card = 399.99 USD = 787.60 AUD.
RAM: CORSAIR DOMINATOR 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (Two of these, totaling 12GB). = 770 USD = 1458 AUD (Absolute joke).
OS: Vista Ultimate 64. = 235.99 USD = 229.60 AUD.

Total USD = 2274.95
Total AUD = 3912.20

As you can see, prices in Australia are amazingly lame. Buying from the states comes out to about 3444.64 AUD (not including shipping costs), and even with shipping it won't come close to 3912.20, which also has no shipping costs included.

Now I've seen quite a few of these items on eBay (the ram above for 250USD) and other sites for cheaper than the above, so if I look around I'm sure I can make a saving. However, one of my questions is whether country zones will affect compatability in any way? I have never bought PC parts from overseas, so I had to ask.

Onto my main questions:

1. Worth going all out for the I7 965 or staying on the 920 and upgrading every 6-12 months once they are cheaper?

2. The mobo listed seems quite decent for the most part, any suggestions on an alternative?

3. In my case, is it worth going for a SSD rather than the standard HD?

4. I'm feeling puzzled as to what video card I should go for. Nvidia is a definite, just not sure if I should bother going for one of the best cards out there or sticking to a GTX 260 and upgrading every 6-12 months like the CPU. Any suggestion?

5. The Corsair RAM above seems like the best out there at the moment (the reviews suggest the same), am I right in thinking this is a 100% keeper to my list?

6. Better off buying all my parts from the US?

7. Besides the case (which will be a decent 300-400 tower) and PSU, am I looking at any extra cooling? If so, any suggestions?

If anyone has any suggestions or tips to help me finalise my decision, it would be most appreciated. I am extremely looking forward to start multi-boxing and the sooner I get this rig out of the way, the quicker I get to run around with a pack of synchronised killers.

Thanks

Heretical.