To echo what the guys have said above:
- Go for a decent size SSD like a 120/128GB model - ideally a crucial M4 or Intel 520.
- Ditch the velociraptor (it is fast, but as a storage drive it is just too loud, hot and expensive) - a good 7200rpm drive from WD, seagate or samsung would be a better option overall
- Unless you really need the features of Windows 7 ultimate, drop the windows version down to Win 7 Professional. This allows you to access the same amount of memory as Ultimate (192GB AFIAK) and is much cheaper. If you are going for 16GB of system memory and 3GB graphics then you will need to address more than the 16GB total memory that Windows 7 Home Premium allows - so best not to go for that version.
- Go for better value, slower RAM (the kit RJC suggested is ideal). Sandy bridge systems don't really make good use of really high speed RAM (see
this test) and a decent 1600MHz kit is pretty much all you need.
- Go for the HD 7950 3GB over the GTX 580 3GB cards. These cards are generally faster and use less power.
Also, I would add the following suggestions:
- The ASUS Maximus 4 board is really very expensive. If you only plan to run two high-end graphics card then you would do just as well to opt for a much cheaper board like
this one - since the bridging chip in the Maximum only helps provides extra bandwidth for three card configurations, this board does not create two x16 when running with two cards. Therefore running two cards in SLI/CF will run at x8/x8 speed (bypassing the bridging chip for reduced latency) - exactly the same as the cheaper board link to above. If you really want a high-bandwidth board (that allows x16/x16 graphics) then I would suggest looking at a X79 board and the i7 3820 which is coming out next monday.
- If you are spending so much money on a sound card, I wouldn't suggest bypassing it by using an expensive USB headset. Instead I would suggest a nice stereo headset with analogue connections-
Sennheiser do some nice ones.
- Consider a
mechanical switch keyboard - they really are fantastic.