new workstation/gaming machine, want feedback please

Thanks for looking, I want to get some opinions aboutthis setup before I order, either in upgrades that would be worth it, or compatibity issues I may have missed. Here is a copy from Newegg wish list:



Update COOLER MASTER COSMOS 1000 RC-1000-KSN1-GP Black/ Silver Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #: RC-1000-KSN1-GP
Item #: N82E16811119138
$209.99

Update Intel BOXD5400XS Dual LGA 771 Skulltrail D5400XS Extended ATX Motherboard - Retail
Model #: BOXD5400XS
Item #: N82E16813121330
$659.99

Update XFX PVT88PYDE4 GeForce 8800GT Extreme 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #: PVT88PYDE4
Item #: N82E16814150253
$259.99 2= $519.98

Update ABS Tagan ITZ Series ITZ1300 ATX12V / EPS12V 1300W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: ITZ1300
Item #: N82E16817814001
$399.99

Update Intel Xeon X5365 Clovertown 3.0GHz Socket 771 120W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80563X5365P - Retail
Model #: BX80563X5365P
Item #: N82E16819117133
$1,205.00 2= $2,410.00

Update A-DATA 8GB(2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR2 FB-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) ECC Fully Buffered Dual Channel Kit Server Memory Model SC2PE0C36K - Retail
Model #: SC2PE0C36K
Item #: N82E16820211255
$599.99 2= $1,199.98

Update Western Digital Raptor X WD1500AHFDRTL 150GB 10,000 RPM SATA 1.5Gb/s Hard Drive - Retail
Model #: WD1500AHFDRTL
Item #: N82E16822136035
$179.99

Update Seagate Barracuda ES.2 ST31000340NS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: ST31000340NS
Item #: N82E16822148278
$289.99

Update PLEXTOR 18X DVD±R Super Multi DVD Burner Black SATA Model PX-810SA/IBP-BL - OEM
Model #: PX-810SA/IBP-BL RTL
Item #: N82E16827249028
$69.99

Update Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Ultimate for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM
Model #: 66R-00838
Item #: N82E16832116215
$189.99 -$10.00 Instant $179.99
Subtotal: $6,119.89

i think i finished 12 years of schooling and 2 years in college with $6200 ... ......so i'm hoping that build is for a good cause ... else IBM can provide 60 more homeless students with $100 laptops ..... 6000 kids can eat 2 square meals in Darfur..... at least a hundred families can evacuate Iraq safely with supplies.... the entire Dharavi region in Mumbai could be cleaned up ....

Update COOLER MASTER COSMOS 1000 RC-1000-KSN1-GP Black/ Silver Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #: RC-1000-KSN1-GP
Item #: N82E16811119138

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

In Stock
$209.99 $209.99

Update Intel BOXD5400XS Dual LGA 771 Skulltrail D5400XS Extended ATX Motherboard - Retail
Model #: BOXD5400XS
Item #: N82E16813121330

Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy

In Stock
$659.99 $659.99

Update XFX PVT88PYDE4 GeForce 8800GT Extreme 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Model #: PVT88PYDE4
Item #: N82E16814150253

Return Policy: Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy

In Stock
Mail-in Rebate
$259.99 $519.98

Update ABS Tagan ITZ Series ITZ1300 ATX12V / EPS12V 1300W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: ITZ1300
Item #: N82E16817814001

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

In Stock
$399.99 $399.99

Update Intel Xeon X5365 Clovertown 3.0GHz Socket 771 120W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80563X5365P - Retail
Model #: BX80563X5365P
Item #: N82E16819117133

Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy

In Stock
$1,205.00 $2,410.00

Update A-DATA 8GB(2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR2 FB-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) ECC Fully Buffered Dual Channel Kit Server Memory Model SC2PE0C36K - Retail
Model #: SC2PE0C36K
Item #: N82E16820211255

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

In Stock
$599.99 $1,199.98

Update Western Digital Raptor X WD1500AHFDRTL 150GB 10,000 RPM SATA 1.5Gb/s Hard Drive - Retail
Model #: WD1500AHFDRTL
Item #: N82E16822136035

Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

Out Of Stock
Auto-Notify
$179.99 $179.99

Update Seagate Barracuda ES.2 ST31000340NS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: ST31000340NS
Item #: N82E16822148278

Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy

In Stock
$289.99 $289.99

Update PLEXTOR 18X DVD±R Super Multi DVD Burner Black SATA Model PX-810SA/IBP-BL - OEM
Model #: PX-810SA/IBP-BL RTL
Item #: N82E16827249028

Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

In Stock
$69.99 $69.99

Update Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Ultimate for System Builders Single Pack DVD - OEM
Model #: 66R-00838
Item #: N82E16832116215

Return Policy: Software Return Policy

In Stock
$189.99 -$10.00 Instant $179.99
Subtotal: $6,119.89

My goal with this machine is for creating 3d interactive video clips (adobe products) of my companies products (automobiles) and to be honest, I just want to make sure I have a machine that is stable and doesnt need replaced every year. There will be a few games installed on it (The Witcher, Everquest 2) so I don't know that the SLI is even going to help, only put 2 cards here because it was very low cost and heard you need identical cards, so I should order them at same time.

witcher caused me to crash left and right with 64 and an nvidia 7900gs.

sli doesn't require itentical cards, but he same type. any speed or memory differences and the worse is the level it runs.

I think I could even SLI my GS with a GT, but it would be like having 2 GSs.

I've also heard the Adobe suite runs better with OSX

fear not, the procedes from the increased business will support many noble causes, like, feeding my family. Only rice and beans of course since luxury foods like beef represent money that could be spent buying rice and beans for starving Italians in Milano.

thanks for tip on OSX, will look into it.
Witcher crashes my Vista 64 ult system also which has 8gb ram and 8800 GT card.

ok OSX is out,
A-DATA 8GB(2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR2 FB-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) ECC Fully Buffered Dual Channel Kit Server Memory should be stable enough memory,
the price is high, but not for a nice workstation
I will dump a video card

we have narrowed it down to what video card is a good match for Vista?

Unless "nehalham" comes out in a few days, my boss will not be pleased with "Sorry, the gaming will be better if I wait to build my workstation until the next chipset/processor is released."

i agrre with dumping the raptor, the 32mb cache drives are close in performance to a raptor [raptor still holds the crown, with an arthritic finger]. multiple drives are better for multitasking, at least in my experience.

if your getting skull trail for processing power and not for uber sli, then you may consider an ati card. the drivers seem to have fewer stability problems at the moment.

also one gpu is probly enough for your needs. the boss may be paying, but he'll like you a little more if you bring him a smaller bill.

oh and no nehalem is not comming in a few day's, more like xmas. though if the hype comes true it would be worth the wait.

good point, dumping the raptor.

what ATI card would be solid gaming card, and stable with vista?

btw dumping uber case, probably bad idea, but I found "Viper" case and started modifying it with real Viper emblem and custom paint, looks great so far, at least for a Viper fan/salesman.
If I end up with grounding/airflow issues from cheap case I will feel stupid, but couldn't resist.

If I only put one processor without a matched pair, can that be a problem later?

and Thanks all for the input.

look's good to me.

i don't know about running one cpu on skulltrail. it could be a prob or blessing if intel decides to drop the platform. [prob if you can't get another cpu/blessing because you might be able to get the second real cheap]

ground problem could be simply taken care of by connecting a ground wire from one of the mobo studs to you psu. like they do with cars there are grounding straps everywhere around you engine.[or at least they should be there?!?!!]