Help with first build, please.

Hi,
I've been wanting to put together my own pc forever, but a little nervous about doing it. I figure it's about time..

I want to try and keep my current computer together, if possible, though I'm certain I'll take the dvd-burner out of this one to put into the new one (and replace it with a generic dvd-drive), I already have speakers and a monitor and want this new one for basically just gaming, FEAR, HL2 Doom 3, Quake 4, and would love to pick up Oblivion if it'll run well on what I put together.

This is what I have in mind so far

AMD X2 3800+ cpu
ASUS A8N32-SLI mobo
7900GT (just 1 for now)
X-Fi Xtreme Music soundcard
Antec Truepower 2.0 550w psu
1 gig of Corsair ValueSelect RAM
And a pair of SATA HD's to Raid 0

Not sure about what case to get to be honest.. I'd like a cool looking one with a see-through window, but air flow is more important.

If possible I'd like to bring the build in for about 1200-1300 but even less would be better. In fact, I'm pretty sure I'm going over right now actually.. nope, positive of that. But how does what I have sound so far though? I'm up for ANY advice or suggestions.. and I really don't know if I should go for SLI or not, and thinking about it is giving me a massive headache to be honest.. i mean is it worth getting an SLI mobo for just 1 graphic card and the possibility to upgrade to 2 later? maybe when even better graphic cards are out?

I actually tried asking for help on the pcgamer forum, but I think I almost started a flame war when it came to the SLI vs Single Card set up.

I have an alienware right now actually, and it seems like I could build something better for much cheaper then they sell. I may not be schooled at building computers (can upgrade.. but thats easy) but gotta start somewhere..

Anyhow, anyone know how these motherboards are? MSI K8N Diamond Plus ATX AMD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813130037

It's supposed to have good onboard sound, so I wouldn't need to buy an x-fi.

1) SLI is a complete waste of money. Don't fall for the hype. Unless you can stick in another 7900GT in 90 days don't go for it.

2) That motherboard is awful, its been plagued with problems since two days before it came out. Avoid. Go with the cheaper (and much better) Asus A8N-E (not SLI) for the $122 DFI Lanparty Ultra D board.

3) To address your question of MSI boards: Avoid. Used to work in a computer store, the #1 DOA brand always was MSI.

4) CPU is good, you might want to consider an Opteron 165 for about $30 more and overclock it

5) Get 2GB of RAM, and if you decide to overclock get Corsair XMS or OCZ Gold. Some of the best games basically require 2GB of RAM to run on high settings.

6) Antec P160W (great airflow, removable washable air filter, window)

Thank you Shadowduck, I think i got a good stuff for this build now:

This is what I got going now..

AMD Opteron 165 $325
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103588

ASUS A8N-E ATX AMD $93
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131530

Corsair XMS 2GB $192
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145575

eVGA GeForce 7900gt $319 (or should I go with a different brand?)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130281

Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtrememusic Soundcard $122
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6829102188

Western Digital Caviar SE16 250GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive x2 (for raid 0) $180
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822144701

FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX500-A, 2.0 version, 2 SATA, PCI Express $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817104934

Antec Performance I P-160W $94
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129173

Bringing in the total to $1415

though, I may not go with the sound card and just use the one I have in this PC to save on a little money (and upgrade later) bringing the total to an even more reasonable $1293

so, how does this all sound? Hopefully it's all good at this point!

Looks great, and yes go with the eVGA card. If you can save up a little more, eVGA has a 90day trade up program. You will get full value back on your GT to go towards the GTX if you decide thats where you want to go in the end. GTX has double the VRAM and will be useful towards the end of the cycle (18-24 months) where some games will demand 512MB of VRAM. Right now the GT is fine. But giving yourself the 90day option is never bad eh?