CPU/Motherboard choice

#1 for sure. Any particular reason on the 680i?

for SLI upgrading in the furture, or are they still that unstable?

Nah I have one and it's a rock, I was just curious because they're kida expensive. Their early problems seem to have been resolved. Asus also has some nice SLi offerings, namely the P5N-E SLi and P5N32-E SLi. Not that I'm attempting to dissuade you from the EVGA 680i, it's a great board, just mentioning other options. Fanciest overclocking settings I've ever seen.

Yeah local fry's has the combo EVGA 680i and E6600 for 499 but am still not sure on the version of the board yet.
And thanks much!

The ASUS Crosshair will have am amazing upgrade path, AMD have stated that all AM3 and AM2+ CPU's will work with AM2 motherboards, thats like anything in the next 3 years.

But the E6600 will have the performance crown for now.

That may be their current plan, but nothing's set in stone. Beware of birds in the bush...