I am looking at building a new computer. I have put together my own PC's before, but it's been a while and I mostly need help with RAM/MoBo selection. I'm mostly going to use it for gaming.

Here's the parts that I've pretty much decided on:

EVGA 8800 GTX http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6814130072
E8400 Wolfdale Processor http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6819115037
Seagate Barracuda 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6822148288
Antec 900 Case (I have already purchased)
~700W Power Supply (is that too much? I'll probably add an extra PCI card or two here and there)

I'm not a big OC'er so I don't need a super awesome MoBo. I'm partial to Gigabyte so here's the one at the top of my list (There's so many to pick from that it is hard to know what to get)

Gigabyte GA-EP35C-DS3R http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6813128082

I'm not really planning on using multiple video cards so the 1 PCI-E x16 slot isn't really an issue on that end.

RAM: I really want to go 4 Gig (I know 32-bit Windows will bump it down to around 3.5 Gig).
DDR3 comes with 1333MHz standard, looks like DDR2 needs to be overclocked to achieve this. (It's my understanding that it helps if you get the CPU FSB and RAM clock to match up).

This motherboard only supports 2 DDR3 slots, so if I want to get 4 Gig it has to be in 2G sticks, but I don't see any 2Gig sticks listed on the supported RAM list on Gigabyte's site. Would it be best, with relation to Money and Stability, to get 4 1Gig DDR2 sticks and try to OC them up to 1333MHz?

Or should I just go with a better motherboard $100-$200? And what ram might go well with it?

Thanks

It's my understanding that motherboards that handle two ram types, DDR2 and DDR3 in this case, don't really excel with either, but that might just apply to overclocking. Which you're not doing.

That and from what I also understand DDR3 isn't cost effective yet. DDR2 667 is really all you will need at stock speeds, DDR2 800 would be more on the safe side. 3GHz/9=333MHz 333MHz= DDR2 667 The 9 is the multiplier for the E8400.

I just ordered the GA-EP35-DS3P for my needs it's almost the same price as the one you selected.

These two might fit your needs as well, but with the DS series Gigabytes it depends on what options you'd prefer like eSATA, 1394, number of USB ports, etc.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128059
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128086

700W does seem like overkill. Here's a link to get you started on a wattage point. Though the 12V line is something to watch because of the video card.
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp

Good luck with your build

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 8201465605

RAM.

I will drop 8800 gtx and get an ATI 3870x2 or 8800gt SLI. 8800 gtx are not worth buying anymore, ATI x2 clearly beats gtx for less money. I will stick with DDR2 800. DDR3 are much expensive with not much performance boost.

Rickpcnerd - If I went with a 3870x2 would a different motherboard (and/or chipset) be recommended?

Vangvace - Thanks for the info, DDR2 800 sounds like a good choice for me then. Thanks for the PSU calculator link as well, it's very useful.

Thanks

The motherboard you have chosen runs 3870x2 fine, but if you want 3870x2 cross fire, then x38 motherboard will be recommended.

I just built a new one from PC club, a local store in my area. I went with the AMD 6400+ Dual core, 3.2 Ghz, gigabyte MA790FX-DS5, EVGA 8800 GT, 2 Gigs of matched corsair DDR2 800, CoolerMaster case, M90 I think it is called, Enermax Liberty 650 psu which delivers plenty of power and plug ins are only required for what you need. I used my old monitor and other stuff and spent right a little over a thousand bucks out the door. Evertyhing went together flawlessly and she is purring smoothly as we speak. the gigabyte mobo will accept the Phenom processors but I opted for the highest regualr dual core for now until they work all the snafu's out of the phenoms for now. I havent tried to OC yet and may not, she is working great and is fast as I need it to be running right at 43 Celsius which is perfectly normal.

The coolerMaster case comes with three 120 fans but I was bored and purchased two more, one for the top to push air out and one for the side that is blank when you get it to bring more air in. I went with the enermax brand and they are absolutely silent.

I play CoD4 and the 8800 GT 512 is awesome man, you can not go wrong. If you read the recent article on the tests Ted's did here about the new 9600 it compares it with the 8800 GT as well as the GTX and the 3870. If you cant swing the 8800 GT then go with the 3870 HD, it slammed the 9600 and the 8800 GTX for the most part. I may have those two backwards but I will say that the GTX is not worth the bucks, like someone mentioned above me here. Bttom line, the 8800 GT 512 OC is worth every penny you spend on it in my humble opinion. I hope this helped you a bit. I did a lot of homework before I purchased these items and whuile it may not be the greatest for fans of overclocking it is an awesome setup for about anything you can throw at it inclding Crysis or CoD4 or any gaming, multitasking, heck just throw it at it, it will hang, lol!!! Good Luck!!