so to start, i would like my system to consist of the following:
 
 [b][ 2 ] EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130318
 
 Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor - Retail
Customer Choice Award
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115017
 
[ 2 ]  CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
Customer Choice Award
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145184
 
 CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 620W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TUV, CCC, C-tick - Retail
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139002
 
 Western Digital Raptor X WD1500AHFD 150GB 10000 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 1.5Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136011
 
if you have any suggestions or comments on the above please feel free to post, i'd appreciate it greatly.  Now, for the hard part (well atleast for me ahah)... I'm not entirely sure on what motherboard I should pursue to build such a system.  There seems to be so many options to consider and appears overwhelming at first glance.  I've put together a list of potential motherboards, could you please gander and advise me as to which board to choose.
 
XFX MB-N780-ISH9 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813141005
or
EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813188024
or
EVGA 122-CK-NF68-T1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813188012
 
Again, all suggestions and advise are greatly appreciated.

My first Question do you really need a raptor? most people use 7200 RPM as they are cheaper at larger storage sizes (For exampls I can get a 500 GB 7200rpm for less).
Unless I missed something, what case are you planning on using?

Those 8800s are gonna generate alot of heat...what's your plan for cooling(case)? Also, any reason why you are using the Q6600 over the E8400. If this build is primarily for gaming, the E8400 might be a better choice.

Welcome to the forums!
 
I wouldn't get a Raptor, at least until the Velociraptor comes out. Just look at the charts. You can get a faster drive for less money.
 
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts [...] e,658.html
 
I would go for the Evga 780i motherboard, if you plan on doing SLI. Otherwise go for GA-P35-DS3L.
 
I don't see a case. I suggest Antec 900.
Optical drive? I suggest Samsung SH-203B or N.

I'm voting for the eVGA 780i.  
 
You do know there's a new and better type of Raptor coming out later this month, the Veloci-Raptor? 300GB, PMR, it will be a beauty. Either wait for that one or get a WD6400AAKS.
 
You seem to have enough money, so add a good case too. Cooler Master Stacker, Silverstone TJ-09, etc. Either way, I'd get a full tower for a SLI build.
 
Do you want to overclock? If yes, add a Xigmatek HDT-S1283.

Ok, I appreciate the advice.  I've decided to get the
 
COOLER MASTER Stacker 830 RC-830-SSN3-GP Silver Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail  for my case.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119103
 
Also, for my hard drive the Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM  seemed to be a good choice
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136218
 
Now for the Q6600 versus the E8400, I just expected the Q6600 to promote an overall better experience than the E8400.  If im wrong please inform me.
I do plan to wield  sli, so then would the eVGA 780i be my best choice?
 
Im not really sure whether I should overclock.  I mean, is it really worth it?

That's a very nice case.

Between the three mobos you picked, the 680i is best avoided because it has PCI-E 1.1 slots and it's also more likely to cause trouble later if you upgrade the CPU. Between the XFX 780i and eVGA 780i, pick whatever you want. They're both good and have PCI-E 2 slots and can take a Q6600 to 3.6 GHz. The reviews are very good for both.

Q6600/E8400 - your best choice depends on what you do. If you do video encoding often or play Flight Simulator X or do paid work on the computer (programming, databases, Photoshop) get the Q6600.

Overclocking - well, on this forum, 90%+ will tell you it's worth it and very important and so on. I'll take a chance here and risk getting flamed. The truth is, a Q6600 is so fast that hard drives can rarely keep up with it even at stock. Why don't you just leave it alone for a month or so and check from time to time in Task Manager. If you see it reaching 80% or more consider overclocking. If not, overclocking will just increase your electricity bill pointlessly. The only time I saw my stock Q6600 reaching over 81% was when I made it compress two DVDs at the same time. It wasn't even a real life thing, I did it just to test my new WD7500AAKS disks. With WD5000AAKS disks it was at 81% in that scenario, because those disks are slower.

well as im not quite sure of what 780i board to choose from, i hear they run quite hot.   Do you think i'll be having heating issues and require more than just the above mentioned tower?
If so, what do you suggest?
 
Also, is the ram ok or is there a better option?
 
 
Appreciate the help aevm!

i personally wouldent go with any of the 760-790i  because of some of the complaints ive read on the forums about their performance, im not quiet sure but i think there was some kind of "bug" so called, not sure the exact detail but ofcourse, its your choice

It's ram corruption from the chipset when overclocked. It doesn't happen that often. Unless you're unlucky, you shouldn't have the problem. It's still taking a chance though. The 700s are far better than the old 650i/680i though, which are known to kill ram.

bizzump!

 
The RAM is fine, no worries.
 
Yes, 780i boards run hot. Your case comes with 2 fans and room for 7 more. I would add a few more. Maybe not all 7, but several anyway. It's not so much the motherboard, but the two video cards that need to be cooled. If you really want SLI, 780i is your best choice.  
 
If you don't mind AMD/ATI cards, consider an X38 motherboard with an HD 3870X2. The X38 chipset is better than the 780i, I think. It won't be as powerful as two 8800GT cards, but still pretty fast. You'd also have the option to add another card later - a 3870, 3870X2, or maybe one of the new ATI cards promised for this summer. Warning - that sort of thing would require Vista. XP drivers only support a single 3870X2 or two 3870s or similar.
 
Or, you could get an X38 with an nVidia card. I usually advise against that because it's a bit silly - Crossfire mobo with nVidia card doesn't offer upgrade room. However, with a 9800GX2, you wouldn't need more GPU power.The 9800GX2 is fantastic, too bad the price is still so high.
 

 
just would like to pop out a question, you mean requires Vista, do you mean the 4800 series drive will only support Vista but not XP? because I am planning to build a similar system in summer using 4870 running XP O.O  
Cheers~

Why would it not work in XP? It'll work fine. Don't worry about it.

 
oh... thanks =]  
I misunderstood Mr. aevm 's reply, sorry  

"Mr." ???
 
Sorry, I made it too long-winded. A setup with one or two GPUs (Crossfire) will work on XP, no problems. A setup with 3 or 4 (CrossfireX)will require Vista. A single 3870X2 counts as 2 GPUs. A single 4870 on XP will be fine. A 4870 and a 3870X2 means 3 GPUs (or maybe 4???) and will need Vista.