Going for best cost/performance here, let me know what you think or how I can improve.
 
I don't want to do rebates, so if something is cheaper after rebate I don't really care... I just don't trust them.
 
Already have a case, Centurion 534
 
Here's what I'm planning to buy:
Mobo - P35-DS3L $90
CPU - E2180 (Slightly more than 2160, but x10 multiplier) $80
RAM - G.Skill 2 x 1gb DDR2 800 ($45 and no rebate)
PSU - OCZ StealthXstream 600w (is like 72 now on the egg)
HDD - Seagate 250gb sata 3.0 for $70 at egg
GPU - Here I've been having trouble, I'm thinking EVGA 8600gt & then maybe step up in a few months or something... I want to spend < $100 on it. (Or within $5 or $10)
 
All total is about $500 before shipping etc.
 
Also if anyone has good advice for improving the cooling/airflow of the centurion 534 please help with that.
 
Thanks

looks pretty good...  
 
to improve coolign, buy an aftermarket fan later

That's what I was thinking, grab an AF7pro a little later, maybe when I upgrade GPU. I got my quad up to 3.0 on the AF7pro this past weekend, so it shouldn't be any problem using it on the 2180.

nope... my '60 idles at 27 and hits 56 max under Orthos... it's a great cooler... what temps do you get on your Quad?

You can save some on your Mobo - $30 -This one is excellent as well.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813127031
 
The E2180 will not really OC any higher.  Grab the E2160 and save $5-$10
 
This 8600GT looks great - Under $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130085
 
I was going to suggest an 8800GS for about $120, but their fans are very noisy.  The saving above could help pay for it, but much of that requires waiting on rebates.

cd/dvd rom or burner? or combo........did not see one listed in your specs???

Temp on quad under orthos load has never been over 60.
 
I'd be more interested in that Abit board if it had a lower sticker price... I don't like rebates, and for the same $ up front I trust Gigabyte more.
I just thought it'd be easier with 2180 because of 10x multiplier.
And I think that's the same 8600 I picked  
 
Good call on Dvd drive... I forgot to add one, boy I would have felt like an idiot. I'll just go with whatever is good/cheap... I don't really know. I have a sony NEC opti-arc in mine and that's been working fine.

For the choice between 2180 and 2160.  
It's not about the multiplier, it is about the stepping.
All 2180s are M0 stepping, while for 2160, you have a chance to get L2 stepping, which is much more overclockable.
It is quite difficult to get M0 over 3G with stock voltage.
 
http://processorfinder.intel.com/L [...] ocFam=2841

All I want is 3.0 anyway. As for good stepping, if I need to I can just order from ClubIT they're for sure to have the "good" stepping. At least from what I read.
 
So everything looks good then? 8600gt best choice for < $100 or +/- $10?
 
Thanks again for all the comments!
EDIT:
Just realized a potential problem. The LCD I have on hand for this PC has the old blue-style connector instead of the fancy new wider tanish colored one. Is that going to be problematic in hooking up the 8600gt to it? Is there some type of converter? Will it make a difference in anything?
 
Thanks!

there isn't that much difference between L2 and M0... according to tomshardware
 
add to that the m0 is cooler.  
 
and finally, m0 is now pretty prevalent whilst l2 is rare...  

 
 
What about the difference in video connectors? Is there a special piece I need?
edit:
Nvm looks like the card comes with some type of connector switch piece.
 
New question though regarding GPU:
 
What about ATI's x1650 or the hd 2600xt? They have 512mb of ram vs the 256 on that evga. I just wasn't sure if that'd be more worthwhile since these cards only run 128bit memory. Or would it be more worth sticking with evga and just using the step-up program?
 
Thanks for the help

The Step Up program will not do alot for you.
 
The reason is that you need to buy the card from EVGA and pay their list price.  Normally that is ALOT more than what you can buy the same card for from NewEgg or others.
 
The result is that you can always just eBay a card and buy a new one and be in the same position as a Step Up.
 
That being Said, EVGA makes good cards with a good Warranty which is why my last card was EVGA not the "Step Up".
 
Also, be sure to get DDR3, not DDR2.
512mb of RAM will not help you on the level of cards you are looking at.
 
The GPU is not powerful enough to handle the resolutions that would make use of the extra memory.

Awesome, thanks for the info about EVGA. I always wondered about that.
 
As for resolution, I have a 1280x1024 monitor to game on with the new computer, so the 8600gt should be fine I think? Glad to know 512 won't matter, & was also planning to look at GDDR3 like you say, so it's good to know I was on the right track that way at least.
 
Thanks again for the help.

"Just realized a potential problem. The LCD I have on hand for this PC has the old blue-style connector instead of the fancy new wider tanish colored one. Is that going to be problematic in hooking up the 8600gt to it? Is there some type of converter? Will it make a difference in anything? ".........The cards come with a adapter.....Well all mine did any ways.  That way you can run analog monitor off of a DVI interface ....So you are safe!

^Agreed. If it doesn't come with a DVI. Just grab this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814999201
or any other DVI to VGA converter you like.

@OP: Check out P35-DS3L Overclocking HOW TO if you plan to overclock.

Also once you build the system could you post your results/settings there?

Oh I'll post em there alright (:
 
Hopefully it's similar to my current DS3R... that was so easy I barely had to do anything and my Q is nicely at 3.0