Is the 8800 GTS worth $30 more than the GT?  
 
I'm building a budget gaming PC, and I want every $ to count.
 
So far I've got:
 
Q6600 (got it for $200 at microcenter deal)
 
Looking to buy:  
 
  Sony NEC Optiarc 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model AD-7190A - OEM  
Item #: N82E16827118003  
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy   $23.99  
     
  COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail  
Item #: N82E16811119068  
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy   $49.99  
     
  Western Digital Caviar SE WD2500AAJS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM  
Item #: N82E16822136113  
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy  
     
  MSI NX8800GT 512M OC GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail  
Item #: N82E16814127329  
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy  
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate
$216.99  
     
  Thermaltake Purepower W0100RU ATX 12V 2.0 500W Power Supply - Retail  
Item #: N82E16817153052  
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy  
$20.00 Mail-in Rebate  
$59.99  
     
  Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT12864AA804 - Retail  
Item #: N82E16820146565  
Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy  
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate  
$64.99  
     
  GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard - Retail  
Item #: N82E16813128059  
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy  
 $89.99  
 
Please comment on the build and thanks for the help.
 
Kurt

The GTS will be better at high resolutions, but I think the GTS is easily worth the extra over the GT for the better cooling.
I'd go for the GTS in your situation!

The 8800GTS is better, but you won't be disappointed with either.

i would say it's a good idea for the GTS... it'll last longer, run cooler, and is a beast of a card...

 
I'd stay away from NEC DVDRW drives. I once loved them, till  I found out that at some time along their lives there's a substantial chance for the drive to stop reading burned DVD-R media. BTW, many people share this issue with NED DVDRW drives. I've heard about 3500, 3520 and 3540 drives going crazy like that, and there's no solution from NEC.
I've had enough of that and got a SATA Pioneer DVR-212 and it's PERFECT! VERY high burning quality and no known issues.
 
Regarding the GT/GTS dilema...for a $30 difference I'd go for the GTS.
The GTS has 3 advatages:
1. Higher clock rates = higher performance
2. Higher amount of Stream Processors (128 in the GTS vs. 112 in the GT) = higher performance
3. Better cooling = better stability and higher possible OC.
 
All of that for a mere $30 difference...

Thanks for the reply guys.  Frys is selling the GTS for $230 after rebates (in store only), but they're pretty much out of stock now.
 
Is the thermaltake power supply a good choice?  

TT is okay, usually noisy.

sony and msi = turds.