back with an update. well, everything came in and I just just finished my build. definitely a bit of a learning curve, and I feel like I learned A LOT. now, a couple issues and a couple questions.
first of all, not sure if this is a software or hardware issue, but I can't shut the computer down through windows. holding the power button on the case in will turn it off, as will the button on the PSU. but when I select shut down or restart from windows it shuts off some, but not all of it. the video card does as the monitor displays no signal, and I'm pretty sure the drives shut off. but the case and cpu fans continue to run, and the only way to get it restarted is to hold in the power button.
second, not sure where to plug in the internal speaker. most of the spots on the MB are labeled case fan and then a number. there was one spot that had 6 pins, but was labeled for 3 different things like the front panel plugs. tried plugging it in there but nothing.
lastly, if you can tell from these pics, did I install the IO shield correctly? seems like a bit of space between it an the MB.
anyhow, thank for the help here, even if I was a bit cantankerous at times, lol. it really was a fun, if not frustrating, experience that I thoroughly enjoyed. cant really see myself buying anything prebuilt again.