If this is a media center type build, i would not go for a board with o/board video or sound, go for the 9600 as you said, and maybe a Creative 7.1 PCI card, or if you want to spend big bucks go for the external Creative Audigy 4 Pro, http://www.creative.com/products/pro...ct=10853&nav=2 not sure how much it is now, but i do know its a pretty suite sound system.

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116182 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116201

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131508


Liam