New rig - Project EERIN

I am planning a new build for next month... Need help on some issues...
My planned config. is...

Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650
Asus P5E3 - Deluxe / GigaByte GA-X38T-DQ6
2GB DDR3-1066 Corsair (2*1GB)
Seagate 500GB 7200.11 Sata 3GB/s
HD3870 512MB PCIE2.0 / XFX8800GT 512MB
Lite-on DVD-RW Sata with Light scribe
Logitech G5 Laser Mouse + G11 Gaming Keyboard
Altec Lansing VS2421
ANTEC PSU??!!

My doubts/questions/queries/confusions/whatever

1. 8800GT or HD3870?
The board (X38) doesn't have SLI support. Hence I was thinking of buying one HD3870 (gigabye or ASUS, which do u recommend?) and then later on when the HD3870X2 (HD3890 or whatever they decide to name it) releases, pop one of them in this and do a Tri-Fire set up... Does it sound good? I mean, would it be possible to do such a tri-fire setup with one HD3870 and one HD3870X2 (technically its crossfire coz only 2 cards on the whole, but since 3 GPUs are there, I think its a logical Tri-Fire set up)
Would this be supported/possible? Any news so far?

2. ASUS P5E3 Deluxe or GA-X38T-DQ6? This explains it all i guess

3. Right now, i am not in a position to afford high speed DDR3-1600 Mhz RAM (OCZ seems good) so I am going for DDR3-1066 for now, strictly as a temprory stop gap measure for about a couple of months (till apr/may)... Does DDR3-1066 has good performance (better than DDR2-800 atleast)?

4. Power supply... Got i am seriously confused on wat wattage i would require... For this config... what wattage would be necessary? but $150-175 is max for PSU... Need suggestions... especially on the wattage...

Thanks guys...

I know a lot of us would talk you into downsizing your budget, but hey, if you want to be one of those early adaptors who bring down the prices, by all means. I'd be buying ddr3 when it hits current ddr2 prices.

The P5E3 is getting good reviews. Google around. I don't think you can do tri Crossfire, but I could be wrong. Cuz the video card comes with a dual setup link:

http://images10.newegg.com/NeweggI [...] 067-08.jpg

From what I've read, there's only tri SLI or quad CrossFire.

One of the certified psu's under the HD3870 is fine:

http://ati.amd.com/technology/cros [...] rown2.html

If you plan to overclock, as if there's any other logical explanation for choosing that cpu, get a bigger psu.

^Not worth it to go with DDR3. Why? Because the new X48 chip sets are coming out and all upgradability will be lost by the end of next year because the Nehalms will be out, which requires a new motherboard and native DDR3(not sure on the RAM), and also the DDR3 prices will fall.

*The Nehalms will have a new socket, IMC, QuickPath, etc.
http://www.intel.com/pressroom/arc [...] 28fact.htm

^Fact: The new Penryns OC better.
http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/1 [...] r_cooling/

I would suggest getting a Asus Maximus Formula and good DDR2 Ram (and save $300+)

Why waste the money for 2% performance increase, its so stupid.
If you want DDR3 your basically saying I have nothing better to do with my money than to buy something I dont need

I would say get the HD3870 and then later put in a second

It's is $300 if you get the Maximus Formula mobo instead which supports DDR2 and is $100+ cheaper

If you do not like our advise then dont use it, you came to us not vise-versa

And where do you get 3Yrs at the rate technology is advancing, that Cpu is obsolete by the time Nehalem comes out in '08 with 8 cores and the new hyperthreading

DDR3 1066 is jus 100$ here now... DDR3 1600 is 530$.... there's a difference aint there???

By the time DDR3 becomes reasonably priced, so will the motherboards that utilize it. A good motherboard now costs $100-140. Once DDR3 drops it will be where DDR2 is now (hopefully) so $140+100=240

Just get a decent board now with DDR2 and then upgrade later with DDR3
Or do what you want. Get DDR3 (still a waste of money)

Edit: Also on newegg, all the DDR3-1066 I see is $250+. Where do you get it for $100?

Not if you include NEW TECHNOLOGY.

The X48 motherboard is supposedly coming out, as time goes on stuff gets better.
And older stuff drops.....X38 motherboards will drop

Also how do you get $240 for a board and DDR2 now. Very good P35 is $140 plus $50 for 2 gigs of good DDR2-800 Ram = 190 + another 240 later = 330

Math works out for me...

You see that changes things......

I'd totally be willing but it would cost you