Thanks guys for what you do. This forum is such a great place to get ideas and suggestions about builds, especially for us who dont have a clue
 
 
I am finally about to order and would love some help in finalizing it. I mainly game and this computer would be for gaming and a little CS3 photoshoping and movie creating (just had my 1st daughter born in Oct 2007).
 
I play mostly FPS (Steam games, HL2 and mods, BF2 and mods, COH, C4D)and my wife plays all pogo games.  I always play on medium to high on a 19 inch veiwsonic 2ms display set at 1024x768 @60mz . I favor frames and quality over bells and whistles. my old rig was built 4-5 years ago (intel 2.8, 9800 ati changed to a nv x850 1/ 1/2 years ago or so, 2 gigs of ram, abit mb)  
 
we plan on changing the display to a 22/24 monitor in late in 2008.  
 
budget was = $1600 and this build came in at $1,659
 
I consider the following parts for my build (using xp pro sp2, i have some older programs i still need to use and will mostly upgrade to vista 32/64 next year and the memory would be used somewhere else).  
 
I rather NOT OC at first. (I am not that confindent)
 
Case
RAIDMAX Smilodon Extreme Black ATX-612WEB SECC STEEL ATX Mid Tower Computer http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6811156078
 
Powersuppy
CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 620W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6817139002
 
is this enough for my rig (suggestions) ?
 
Motherboard
ASUS Striker II Formula LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel  
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6813131255
 
I know its $$$$, but I rather spend the $$ on a good quality MB. is this a good desion or just awaste of money. I am planning on using 2 video cards from the start (even with my current display). from the reviews i read i am comfortable spending the extra 100 bucks. any suggestions?
 
CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6819115017
 
I wanted to go wolfdale but its been out of stock, any suggestions or am i safe with this?
 
Video Card (2x)
2 x - EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card  
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6814130318
 
Memory
 (4 gigs total)  2x G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)  
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6820231098
 
when i go vista and choose 64 bit, i will rebuy ram and not use this.  
 
hard drive (1)  
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA-300 Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6822148262
 
hard drive (2)  
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA-300 Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6822148288
 
I like having 2 drives. I am not using any raid config just want my games and media stuff on the 2nd drive and OS on the other.
 
I have a good gaming m and KB and will also purchase a samsung dvd.
 
thanks again in advance. I am looking forward to your reviews.  
 
bananajuice

Like this box better..
 
Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6811129021
$99.99  
 
PSU
OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6817341002
$134.99 - $99.99 rebate  
 
like 4 gigs for vista
CORSAIR 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145184
$114.00 $74 rebate  
 
Personally I save and go with this Motherboard.
ASUS P5K-E LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6813131225
$139.99  
 

I would go with two Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 and take the extra 250 gigs and faster access time..

I was thinking that also, I might change it to 2 500 gigs
 
as for for the other suggestions, i had both that PS and 900 case in my wish list, i will relook at both and see. i think i went with CORSAIR 620W Power Supply based on reviews and a buddy who is helping me build has the 2 8800gt's and that case and loves it. but i do like the 900 case.
 
Would like to stay with the sli option. I plan on changing my display to a higher res. is there another Mb that supports sli and uses ddr2 ram. I still want to leave options to upgrade later