New build, first time

Hi, just to let everybody know, this is my first build, ever. Any feedback/advice is welcome. I live in the US, and currently am buying all of these components off newegg. This system is primarily for gaming, although i may use it for 3d modeling when i get into college later this year.

cpu: q9300 $295
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115043

MB: GA-EX38-DS4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128089

GPU: 9600 gt Palit $120 (Planning on upgrading to one of the high-end models that are coming out later this year)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814261002

Ram: G. Skill 4gb ddr2 1066 (is there a difference between 2x2gig and 4x1gig sticks? this model is 2 sticks)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231166

HDD: WD Caviar SE16WD5000AAKS $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136073

Case: Antec 900 $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] ntec%2b900

I haven't decided on a psu yet, since I really dont know wat to get. I dont plan on any multi-gpu configurations, however I would like to keep that option open. I do attend LANs several times a year, so I will need a psu that can handle torture. Any advice for that would be appreciated. The list above rite now is still tentative.
Thanks

Get a WD6400AAKS or WD7500AAKS, they are much faster than the WD5000AAKS.

PSU: agreed with level101, but I'd prefer the Silencer 750W Crossfire Edition.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] ncer%2b750
Same price at newegg after shipping. The difference is that the Crossfire Edition has 6/8-pin connectors and the future card you will buy might need them.

You're not keeping the multi-gpu option open with an nVidia card on a Crossfire motherboard. Get a HD 3870 instead of the 9600GT. Price and performance are very close.

If you intend to overclock, the Q6600 is probably better than the Q9300. It's because the multiplier on the Q9300 makes it more difficult. At stock, the Q9300 beats the stock Q6600.

The 3d modeling will use a quad, if you have the adequate software. Games other than FSX will do better on an E8400.

Well, I wouldn't go as far as "very unstable", but yeah, nVidia's motherboards are not as good as the X38. You could try the eVGA 780i.

You could also stick with the GA-EX38-DS4 and add a 9800GX2 or 3870X2. You'll be all set for a couple of years with just one of those, unless you get a 24" LCD or bigger. With the 9800GX2 you won't be able to add more GPU power later, but I doubt you'll need it anyway. With the 3870X2 you will be able to add a second ATI card (3870, 3870X2, maybe some future ATI card), but you'll need Vista (because XP drivers will not support 3 or 4 GPUs and the 3870X2 already contains 2 GPUs).

well, to be honest, im actually really under budget, surprisingly. but, i do plan on upgrading to either the gt200 or r700, but i really need an upgrade. I got a new laptop in Feb. and check out the awesome specs! intel x3100 graphics accelerator, dual-core 1.6 ghz (first multi core comp i own), and yeah. So, a 9600gt rite now would be a godsend

Patriot Extreme Performance 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model
Cas Latency: 4
Features: Patriot Aluminum Bladed Heat Shield Technology to improve module stability RoHS Compliant EPP Ready
Heat Spreader: Yes
Timing: 4-4-4-12
Business Day Shipping $5.99
Your Price:$94.99
Mail-In Rebate : $15.00
Price after rebate(s):$79.99

1. CL4 4GB DDR2 800 and look at the price...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820220269

1066 CL5 has $144.99 price tag... be smart and save money.

I did look up your motherboard specs and it supports raid 0. I am a fan of raid 0 because it improves hard disk speed. I have used several years and infact my new system I just built last week has raid. The downsides are, you need a minimum of two drives that are matched which cost more money because you are buying two hard drives and not one. And also, I strongly recommend a large 3rd drive to back up your raid array (data only) in case one of your hard drives on the raid array fail. If one drive fails in Raid 0 both become inoperative. I have never had this happen but I back up my data constantly.

There will be people who disagree with this but my expereince for several years has been very positive.

Too, everything boils down to money and how much you can afford to spend. I suspect this is not the route you want to take because you are planning on upgrading your video card in about a year which means your buying two video cards. So money is probably an issue.

Just my two cents worth.

why are you looking at these expensive mobos? The gigabyte p35 ds3l works with the q9300 http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support [...] uctID=2629
and is 150 dollars less then the one you are looking at. with the extra money you could get a 9800 gtx. oh and there is some nice crucial memory for less then 100 dollars on newegg. same with some patriot. That would definitely be better then gskill

can you not get a Q6600? that Q9300 looks expensive

if you're that afraid of heat slap on a Thermalright Ultra 120-extreme and a powerful fan...

'sides, she's in the Antec 900... i know the ACf7 pro ought to be good for at least 3ghz on a quad..