How about these apples?

Here's a new variation of the build I am planning. I have been going back and forth for the past 3 weeks trying to decide on the parts, and I'm getting to the end of my rope. I want to get the best performance for the least amount of money (who doesn't?). But I keep reading and researching things that contradict each other and as a result, I can't decide on anything! It's a vicious cycle.

Budget: $800-ish (the lower the better)

CPU
Intel Pentium E2160 Allendale 1.8GHz ---------------------------- $84
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819116036
OR
Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 Conroe 2.33GHz -------------------------- $175
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115030

I know the new wolfdales are almost out, or are out in some cases, but unless the increase in performance is really that high I don't see a point in spending any more than the price for the E6550. Correct me if I'm wrong. Just from the previews and such, the gain is minimal.
At the same time though, I keep reading about the E2160's OC capability and how it's so easy to reach 3.0-3.2 GHz on stock cooling and minimal, if any, voltage changes. I'm just weary about OC'ing that much and the toll it will take on the CPU. And it makes no point, in my opinion, to get an aftermarket HSF for $50+ just to OC the E2160 safely. Might as well just buy the E6550, or another comparable chip. Also, doesn't the 1MB L2 cache hinder the E2160 when compared to a E6XXX? And wouldn't I be able to OC the E6550 for a significant increase as well? Or are the E6XXX's not that OC-able?

MOTHERBOARD
GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3P ------------------------- $165
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128083
OR
ASUS P5K-E LGA 775 Intel P35 -------------------- $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131225
OR
MSI P35 Platinum LGA 775 Intel P35 --------------- $145 - $20 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813130097

Can't decide between these three boards. I guess they are all pretty similar so I could just get the cheapest one. I like all three manufacturers but I have the least confidence in MSI just from past experience. They all have built in Firewire which is really important, other than that, all are P35 chipsets so they should be good for some time, right?

MEMORY
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 ----------------- $75 - $25 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820146565
OR
A-DATA Extreme Edition 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 -------- $50 - $15 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820211174

I really like Crucial but the A-Data seems to be a common favorite amongst other users, plus it's cheaper. I guess either way wouldn't be a bad choice.

VIDEO CARD
EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit ------------------- $250
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130318
OR
EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit ------------------ $220 - $20 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130082
OR
VisionTek 900206 Radeon HD 3850 512MB 256-bit GDDR4 ----------------- $190
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814129102

I'm really torn. $250 for the GT is probably the absolute max I'd be willing to pay right now. But if I could get the GTS for $50 cheaper (after rebate) for a small decrease in performance, that doesn't seem too bad. The 3850 seems like is pretty good but is it a better choice than the GTS? I couldn't justify going for a 3870 when it's the same price as the 8800 GT and the GT is better. I'm not looking for super high resolutions for games. Anywhere between 1024x768, 1280x1024, or 1600x1200 would be max for me. My 21" LCD is native 1600x1200 if that matters at all. I just want to be able to play the newest games at somewhat high settings, maybe with 2 or 4x AA, and the aforementioned resolutions. No widescreen or dual screen needs for me yet.

HDD
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB --------------- $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148262

I'm pretty much set on this Seagate. For the price the performance is really great, according to THG's benchmarks anyway. I've always liked Seagate too. WD has been hit and miss with me and Maxtor is crap.

OPTICAL
ASUS Burner with LightScribe -------------------------- $31
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827135157

CASE
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 -------------------------- $45 - $20 rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119068

I know this is probably one of the most common cases nowadays, but I like it a lot. Very simple and the front grated panel should help with airflow.

PSU
CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139003
OR
Antec earthwatts EA500
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371007

I can pickup the Earthwatts 500 at CompUSA for about $60, which is pretty good. But is it a better choice than the Corsair? Both of them should be enough to power the system right? On the earthwatts, am I right when I calculate the +12V rail at 34 amps? Can't find any exact numbers.
I can also get the Corsair 620HX at CompUSA for $108. But I'd rather not spend that much if either these are enough juice.

I know that's quite a long post and a number of parts to look at, but if you guys could help me narrow it down or have any other suggestions, I'd greatly appreciate it.

I have almost the same gigabyte board you listed. GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3P Ultra Durable. Mine is GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3P Ultra Durable. The one you listed is rev2.1 where as mine is 2.0. I understand the updated one had some power saving features or something another added. Its the same board for the most part and I love mine. I can't speak to the other boards you listed, but the Gigabyte rocks! Price is great also for what you get. It helped me OC an E6850 from 3.0ghz to 4.05ghz on after market air. Completely stable. Great board for overclocking imo if you plan to.

What are you going to use the PC for?
Gaming? Video Editing?

This could really tell us how important CPU vs GPU performance is.

I was refering to the VX450. Here's a link for all the Corsair's,all are very good deals. The 520 is probably the best buy out of them all and that is all you will need. Good luck with your build.
http://www.buy.com/retail/searchre [...] wer+supply

Just out of curiousity, what kind of results have others had OC'ing the E6550 w/ stock HSF?
Are any performance gains even worth bothering to OC?

I'm reluctant to go with the E2160 and OC'ing because gaming isn't the only thing I'm going to be doing. Like I mentioned, video/photo editing is kind of important as well as 3D rendering occasionally. I'm assuming the 2160 will be at a disadvantage right?

I'd love a quad for the editing/rendering, but the budget doesn't allow that. And it would seem that a E6xxx should be able to handle it without too much slowdown, I hope.

Ok...here's what I'm thinking now. I'm leaning more towards the E2160 or 2180 and I'll OC it. People are saying they can get it to 3.0-3.2 on stock cooling, and that's fine with me. Honestly, anything will be better than the P4 I've had for the last 6 years.

$89 --- Intel Pentium E2180 Allendale 2.0GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819116052
I figured an extra $5 for the 2180 would be ok, and help to make sure I can get it as close to 3.0-3.2 as possible without pushing it that extra step. Unless I can find an E8400 within the next week for under $200, this seems like the best way to go. Not spending too much and still getting quite a bit of a return. Plus, the DS3P MoBo should last and should be a great match for a Wolfdale or Yorkie if and when I do upgrade, right?

$165 --- GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128083
This is the board that THG used for it's OC of the 2160. Nice board and I like me the features. Just funny that the mobo is twice the price of the CPU.

$50 --- A-DATA Extreme Edition 2GB DDR2-800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820211174
Good enough I guess. Might still go for the Crucial sticks, not sure yet.

$190 --- VisionTek 900206 Radeon HD 3850 512MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814129102
OR
$250 --- EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130318
I know I know, I had it right the first time with the 8800GT, why would I consider downgrading to the 3850? Well, I wasn't sure if the 8800GT would be overkill if I go with the E2180. Will the CPU end up being a bottleneck at all? Just in case, the 3850 is my alternative. Good price and not a bad performer from what I see.

$60 --- Corsair VX 550W
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-vx [...] 52646.html
I was going to go with just the VX450, and I still might but I wasn't sure if I would need that extra power for the OC. What do you guys recommend?

And the same Case, Optical and Hard Drives from above.

Total (not counting rebates) ~$735 with the 3850
~$795 with the 8800GT

I might wait for a couple days to see if any E8400's catch my eye. But it's getting harder to hold off on buying something, anything! I'm so indecisive!

Thanks for the help guys!

GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3P??
You'd better get the p31 version instead only 20-30 fsb wall difference
pcstat website tells you the p31 can get to about 461mhz (if i can remember)

I might run by CompUSA today or tomorrow to see if they have any more of the earthwatts PSU's. It is a pretty good price so why not.

The P31? I thought the P35 was newer and allowed for more futureproof-ness. Plus I don't think the P31 has onboard 1394, but I'll check it out.

So the 8800 wouldn't be held back by the 2160/2180? That would make sense since it would be OC"ed quite a bit, just wanted to make sure.

Thanks for the input!