Advice on Computer Build

don't try to futureproof your computer, pretty much the only things that will be up to date 4 years from now are the monitor, peripherals, and the case and possibly the psu

only spend like $1000 of that 3000 now, and save the rest...then you can upgrade twice in the future

If you were building me a PC, then what would you go for over the mobo, RAM, CPU and graphics card that I've chosen?

One of my reasons for trying to futureproof it is that I'm off to Uni in October, and I'm not going to have £3000 to call my own for years after this one. If I don't build my computer now then the three grand will end up going towards things at Uni, and I'll be stuck with my current PC. Any cash left over from building the PC will also go towards things at Uni - which is why I'm going all out now on high spec components that probably won't need upgrading for two, maybe three years. If I do find the odd £250 here and there then I will add things, but big upgrades aren't too feasible... unless I starve myself each term.

Also, quick question - the Western Digital Raptor hard drives. The case has a slot specifically built for one, I'm wondering what the fuss is about them. Any idea?

You have a decent amount of spending money.

me = jealous

Me = exhausted, and I've only earnt £600 of it so far. Another ten or so weeks, and then I'll have enough to build it... last time I'll probably have this type of money, too. I'm going to miss my days of Summer Jobs and no taxes.

just get a dell laptop

just get a dell laptop

That's the worst advice I've ever heard..

In my opinion, getting a laptop of any kind is a bad idea unless you're using it for a business or for school or something. There's this guy here at work who swears by his "gaming laptop." While it's cool that he can play games when he's on-the-go, the computer cost way too much to be worth it for what he's got.

Basically, in my opinion, if you need a computer for school or business or something, you don't need a GREAT one, so you can get a laptop pretty cheap. If you need a computer for gaming and shit like that, you can build a desktop PC that is customized just how you want it and easily upgradeable for a fraction of the cost of a laptop.