This will be my first system build in about 4 years. I am familiar with everything but I guess my main question is with the power supply and if it is good enough. I think everything is fine, any thoughts or warnings before I start purchasing?

Processor Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 Stepping
http://www.clubit.com/product_deta [...] o=A1938452

I may overclock this some just to try it. Chances are I will just stick to air cooling.

Motherboard Asus P5K-E
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131196

Definately need firewire... The wireless is a nice extra.

RAM CORSAIR XMS2 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145176

Gonna try the 64 bit Vista thing so I figure to get all 4gb now and leave room for 8gb.

Video Card EVGA e-GeForce 8800GT KO 512MB
http://www.evga.com/products/morei [...] &family=19

Is this a good choice from the 3 they offer? I am going EVGA because they are the only ones in stock.

Hard Drive Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136073

Went with the 16mb cache. I will partition it down the middle with 250 for Vista and 250 for XP. I also have an extra 250gb IDE for storage. I will have to find out if I can run 64bit Vista and 32bit XP on the same drive. I should be able to on different partitions.

Case Antec P182
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 5&Tpk=p182

I was considering the Antec 900 but I would like the quietest case possible.

Power Supply Corsair CMPSU-550VX
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Prod [...] e=10006757

I guess this is where I really am confused. From researching the forums, the Corsair seems to stand out. This is the 550VX, I was going to put the 520HX but not sure.

Optical LITE-ON Black 20X SATA
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827106070

Going SATA so I can use the single IDE port off the P5K-E for my IDE harddrive. Will this cause any Boot From CD issues?

Monitor 22" Widescreen 1680X1050

I may need some help here. I was just going to goto Tigerdirect or the other sites and buy their Deal Of The Day monitor. I'm assuming as long as it is 5ms and has the resolution above, I will be alright. A nice gaming/graphics monitor will be needed.

Fans/Cooling Can anyone suggest a processor heatsync plus any other fans that may need to be purchased?

Thanks!

Great choice on the case. My selection as well, keep in mind it's a beast in size and weight but the sturdy build really does cut down on noise.

The best 22" monitor out there considering price is the 226BW. www.digitalversus.com has a wicked article and nice comparison mechanism. I'm building my own system and have at least this piece decided upon.

Well http://www.jonnyguru.com/review_details.php?id=135 he's the guru!

From a quick overview, I can see that the 550VX is not as efficient as the HX520, but the rails are just as stable. Remember the High end is the HX, the middle grade is the VX (even though they market it as budget).

Either PSU would be fine. If you want modular then go HX.

Oh ya, the rest of your build looks stellar...good luck.

Yeah i agree the Samsung 226BW is a great monitor for the price, and it looks the part.

Ok, I will swap the 550VX for the CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX. Is there a need to go up to the 620HX?

That Samsung 226BW looks great, but I read on a review site that there are 3 versions available (A,S,C) and that S is the best and C has color issues. Unfortunately you have to look on the back of the monitor to find the version. I'll do some more research on this but it's my top choice now.

Also, any ideas for a CPU cooler?

Ok I purchased all of the above. I got the Corsair 520HX instead of the 550vx. Also, my Samsung 226BW is on its way (thanks for the tip!)

Now,, I need a CPU cooler. I am completely lost here. I plan on running stock speeds but since I have the G0 stepping Q6600 I may toy with some OC'ing.

Whats the best CPU cooler to pick up? Thanks!

The best CPU cooler is Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme. It's expensive, huge, and way overkill for what you need.

I would either not buy a CPU cooler at all (the stock cooler is pretty good for mild overclocking), or buy an Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro.

Stock cooler.. hmm thats interesting. I thought most CPUs nowadays needed extra cooling. I'll try stock and if I run into problems, I'll pickup the Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro.

Thanks!