Help me build up an Intel rig

There is absolutely no reason to go with Ultimate, is has no perks over Home Premium.

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116488
$99

XFX PVT98GYDLU GeForce 9800 GT 512MB (for SLI with that 8800GT)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150316
$109

EVGA 122-YW-E173-TR LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188033
$109.99

Seagate ST3640323AS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148335
$69.99

G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 900
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231211

Antec Three Hundred
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...pk=Antec%20300
$59

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037
$164

Noctua NH-U9B 92mm SSO CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835608003
$49

OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341010
$49.99

I agree with Penicilyn, no real advantage going with Vista Ultimate. However, if that is what your friend wants, let's keep it.

It all adds 794 usd considering the rebates.
I like it because it is 1333 FSB / 1066 DDR2 at stock speed and both the MoBo & CPU are good overclockers.
Note that with this setup, you will not be able to SLI or crossfire.
If you plan no to overclock it too much, you can eliminate the 2 components in red.

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...&name=Ultimate
$179.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115037
$164.99

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128359
$114.99 (-$15 rebate)

mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996599 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146785
$66.99

COOLER MASTER Elite 330 RC-330-KKN1-GP Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119115
$39.99

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136073
$64.99

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005
$99.99 (-$20 rebate)

LITE-ON Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD Burner with LightScribe - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106280
$27.99

COOLER MASTER Hyper Z600 RR-600-LBU1-GP CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103047
$59.99

COOLER MASTER SAF-S12-E1 120mm Case Fan - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811999072
$8.99[/COLOR]