Well in short Gunther, being an idiot, I had to install and re install my OS about 14 or 15 times because it would lock up and just refuse to work because of my lack of knowledge about the hardware configurations. Initially, I decided that it was the Vista not my ignorance in computer building (always blame someone else first right?) so I took my OEM version of Vista Home Premium 64 bit back to Fry's and made them credit the price to a retail version of Vista 64 bit. Of course all they sold in a Vista 64 bit retail version was the Ultimate which cost 200 dollars more (or virtually 3 times the price). on hind site knowing it wasn't the OEM version, i wasted 200 bucks. Well not really 200 bucks because I went from Vista Home Premium to Vista Ultimate so it was in reality a smaller chunk of change. I checked other box stores and no one sold a retail version of the 64 bit version in anything other than the ultimate, so basically I got ultimate because I needed the 64 bit system.
Whether you need the Ultimate, Premium, or Basic 64 bit is really up to you and no one can make the decision for you. Ultimate encompasses ALL the features in the Basic, Home Premium as well as the Business versions and adds some extras. Personally, looking at the prices a t Newegg for all the different versions, I just don't think the dollar figure from even the basic to the Ultimate considering what I spent and what you are going to spend on your build. What are we talking, 1 or 2 percent of the total price tag? r is it more like .1 or .2 percent? But that is your decision. I'm tighter than Dick's hatband on some things and realistic on others. Here is a comparison chart with links to explain the feature. Darn but you are a lazy feller lol.
Compare Editions
Let me know what you decide please. I'm the nosy sort, I mean curious type.........
EDIT: About your case. LOL here I got cheap. The cooler master IS wicked, but when i got my antec 900 it was on sale for 75 bucks. I agree with every thing you say about the two and I don't care about looks, but on the case I went with the price. The ANTEC was MUCH cheaper at the time. Now they are back up to 150 or so..........