Lets help BlueBomber build a new computer for xmas!

Hey guys - I NEED YOUR COMPUTER WISDOM.

So I’m looking to build a new computer. Christmas is approaching pretty quick, so I figured that I would at least try and get some new stuff through presents, and most likely buy anything else that I don’t end up getting with my own money.

This is my current (weak) setup –

Quote:

CPU:
Intel Pentium 4 (2.4 GHz) Hyper Threading

Mobo:
ASUS P4S800D-X

RAM:
2 GB RAM DDR (Not sure exactly what brand :/)

Hard Drives:
Western Digital 250 GB Caviar JB (IDE)
Maxtor 500 GB SATA (I gots two of these)

Video Card:
ATI Radeon 9550 256MB

PSU:
Some old crappy ASUS 350W thing

I'm sorry for the crappy description of what I currently have, it's just that I'm home for Thanksgiving break and don't remember exactly what I have. I'll update this post when I get back and I can tell you exactly what components I currently have.
Basically I’m mostly looking to upgrade the CPU/motherboard, which is what I need the most help with. Suggestions on the other components that are decently priced and of pretty good quality would be awesome as well.

Here are some of the things I have been looking at:

Quote:

CPU:
Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q6600
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6850

Mobo:
??? I HAVE NO IDEA ???

RAM:
??? AGAIN -NO IDEA ???

Case:
Antec P182 Computer Case

External Drive:
Western Digital Elements 320GB External Hard Drive

I'm kind of confused on the processor's I have listed. I mean, I would assume that the quad core is better, but at the same time it is the exact same price as the Core 2 Duo, and I don't know which one has the most bang for it's buck.

I also know nothing about motherboards, so I don't even know where to begin with that, or the RAM that each one uses.

I've always wanted one of those sweet Antec cases, so I threw one of those on their. Same with the external drive.

Other things such as the PSU and video card I didn't list because I don't even know if I really need to change them. It wouldn't hurt I suppose, so if you have suggestions for them please do tell. (I suppose the video card uses an AGP slot, so if you list a motherboard that uses one of those PCI express slots, I guess I'll have to upgrade the video card too then, huh?)

Sorry about the sloppy post. I'll clean it as I figure out everything I have/want. Thanks a lot guys.

Jam it back in, in the dark.