So it sounds like RAID 10 is like having two drives, each with half the data, but having two drives as backup?

It also sounds like this is getting expensive. haha.

Not really. In RAID 10, the computer will read part of a data cluster from each disk. For Exmaple:

Disk 1: A C D
Disk 2: A C D
Disk 3: B E F
Disk 4: B E F

If you're trying to access segment E, half of it will be read from Disk 3 and the other half from Disk 4.

Keep in mind, this is a crude example. Depending on your usage, it may still be completely unnecessary.

Alright, I think I've decided. Gonna not do the RAID setup, though. Not yet anyways. Many thanks for your patience and information on that. I think I've figured this out now. haha. correct me if I'm wrong anywhere.

Quad core i5
Two 1TB 7200rpms
SSD for boot
8gb ram

Thats the biggies, but I am okay with integrated graphics... Im not sure if those motherboards have them or not but it appears each build you proposed had the same motherboard.

I would like the option for raid, down the road.

If there are good alternative cases, that'd be nice to just add to the proposed build, the silverstone one isn't particularly appealing but it isn't a big deal.

http://pcpartpicker.com/search/?cc=us&q=fractal+r4
awesome cases

just add a raid card when you feel like doing a raid setup.

Those cases ARE awesome, huge though.

I may end up going with the other case for money reasons once I get the answer about the video/graphics card issue.

Purchased all of the stuff I need, sans OS, hoping that campus software store will have it cheaper. If not can purchase later. Thanks to everyone who contributed. I got all the components for right under 700 on newegg.