i want to build dekstop since i got tired of buying non-upgradeable laptops
i will mostly use it for music(mixing and making some beats) ableton.fruity loops.buzz and games co4.crysis.etc
i'm not sure if i'm going to overclock but i'd like to have it as an option
i don't want to sli

here's my list

- Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6819115017
i read something about go-stepping is way to overlock...can this processor be overlocked that way?

-motherboard ??? i want motherboard that will be able to work with new intel penryn quad cpus so i

have to buy new one when i want to upgrade cpu

-gpu i'm not sure about...i definitely want nvidia 8800 series...here's 2 i'm thinking about
ASUS EN8800GT TOP/G/HTDP/512M GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6814121220
or
EVGA 512-P3-N841-A3 GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130312
i like evga because i heard good things about their customer support and step-up program sounds neat
but since i just read this article http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/arti [...] VzaWFzdA==
i'm not sure if i'll be doing any step-up

- Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM 16MB
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6822136012

- PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad (Black) EPS12V 750W Power Supply 100 - 240 V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817703009

-ram i've no idea what should i choose...ddr2 800 or 1066? 2gb or 4gb?

-same thing with cases...mid or full tower? here's 3 i was looking at...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119103
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811133021
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129021

-monitor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824001096

-sound card is very important to me...i'm looking for one that will be good with my
music software...not that important for gaming

also should i buy heatsinkfan for cpu?

i probably missed some stuff being noob to this but your help will be greatly appreciated...
thanks in advance

You need a CPU fan/heatsink. Do you have budget or a price in mind for a motherboard. This ram will work with just about anything and is a good deal;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820148076
Do you have the OS? Onboard sound is pretty good on the new boards.

Either this Gigabyte or ASUS would be good. The ASUS has 6 SATA connections, onboard eSATA and firewire. For $10 more you can get the same board with built in WIFI. I recently got the HT Omega Claro+, terrific for music, have my entire music collection on my computer so audio is very important. The bluegear has gotten good reviews and bit cheaper but the Claro handles analogue a bit better and I'm running the sound card to an older receiver that doesn't have any digital in connections.
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6813128059
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6813131225
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6829271002
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6829127002

The Asus w/wifi is the same price as that one. I'm going to suggest that because that's what part of my tax refund will be spent on.

Last time I looked it was $10 more, $149 vs $139 but this stuff changes everyday but even if it's $10 more, would be worth it.

thanks for advice...this asus wi/fi motherboard looks nice...the only thing i'm worried about is people complaining that when installing 8800gt card it will block 2-3 sata ports...do you know if this card supports new penryn cpus?

any comments on the rest of my setup?

edit: my budget for motherboard is around 200+/-

According to ASUS it will handle the Penryn. Don't see how it could block a SATA port given they're at the other end of the board. It's possible it could block a PCI slot but check reviews of the board from this site, extermetech.com or anandtech.com. There are other good tech sites for reviews but don't know them off the top of my head.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Show [...] otherboard

As for the rest of the build, if I were going with the Raptor, I'd go with a smaller one and get a separate Seagate for storage. Sound cards for music I'd go with either the bluegear or HT Omego Claro, the Media CMI8788 is designed for music/video although it does get good reviews for gaming. Got the HT Omega because I'm connecting to a receiver without digital inputs and it handles analogue signals better. If your not going to significantly overclock the standard HSF that comes with the retail CPU will be fine. You can always upgrade when needed. Could save on the PSU with a Tier II from FSP, Seasonic, or Antic in the 550w to 600w range
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6829127002
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 29271002C-
http://www.elitebastards.com/cms/i [...] &Itemid=27
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forum [...] p?t=108088

how about video cards...which one should i choose from the 2 posted earlier?

From what I've read and the recommendation on this site, the 8800GT seems to be the best bang for the buck right now. On the other hand, to run Crysis full out will cost in the area of $3000. Either tomshardware or extremetech built a machine for Crysis and it was over $3000 so unless you're MLB or NBA player well off I wouldn't build for Crysis