Hello all,
 
I want to build my first gaming PC. I want to not only get the best bang-for-buck but also want to learn how to build systems from the ground up. Please let me know what I'm missing...I'd like to run either RAID 0 or 1 (not sure which would be better) but have no idea how to get that set up.
 
I provided the links and prices below. Here are the core specs:
 
EVGA nForce 780i SLI Motherboard CPU Bundle - Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Processor 2.40GHz OEM
 
OCZ SLI-Ready Edition Dual Channel 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory (2 x 1024MB)...Two Sets - 4GB Total
 
Cooler Master CM Stacker 830 ATX Full-Tower Aluminum Case with Vented Side and 1000-Watt Power Supply
 
Western Digital Raptor X WD1500AHFD 150GB 10,000 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 1.5Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM....2 HDDs in Raid 0 Configuration.  Do I need a controller card for this?
 
XFX GeForce 8800 GT Video Card - Alpha Dog Edition, FREE Company of Heroes PC Game, 512MB DDR3, PCI Express 2.0, SLI Ready, (Dual Link) Dual DVI, HDTV, HDCP, Video Card
 
HP w2207 22" Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor with BrightView Panel - 5ms, 1680x1050 (WSXGA+), 1000:1, DVI-D, USB Hub, Speakers...2 Monitors
 
Lite-On LH-20A1S SuperAllwrite SATA DVD Burner - 20x DVD±R Burn, 16x DVD±R Read, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD±R DL, 12x DVD-RAM, 48x32x CD-R/RW
 
 
 
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] dy=REVIEWS 479.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] CatId=2368 80
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] CatId=1510 348.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136011 325
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] CatId=1826 189.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] CatId=2775 500
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] 3&CatId=89 35
 
Total system cost: $2000

You know the cpu/mobo combo doesn't come with a fan? If you don't overclock:
 
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] CatId=1588
 
If you do:
 
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] CatId=1588
 
Unfortunately, TD doesn't have the better HSFs.
 
If you don't plan to SLI, go with an Intel board. This is a VERY solid combo. Retail cpu + cooler + 3 year warranty:
 
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] CatId=2406
 
Don't worry about RAID. The motherboard manual explains this in details.  Print this out:
 
http://www.corsair.com/systembuild [...] t_id=12472