Well, my P4 machine just isn't hacking it anymore. I just wanted to check with everyone as far as compatibility goes on this new build... This machine will be used exclusively for gaming, and I will be using 32 bit Xp for the time being (Vista 64 at a later date).

Case: Cooler Master Centurion 590

MoBo: GA-EX38-DS4

CPU: E8400

PSU: Corsair 650TX

GFX: 8800GTS 512 (XFX, BFG, or EVGA, whichever is cheapest at time of order)

RAM: Not sure here. Definitely 4gb (2x2) DDR2-800. Looking at Cas L 4 kits, Corsair, Crucial, OCZ, or Mushkin. Any reason for one over another?

HDD: 2x Seagate Barracuda ES.2 ST3250310NS 250GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s (will not be using RAID)

Drives: 2x Samsung DVD burner SATA

HSF: Xigmatek HDT-S963 92mm (I would get the 1263, but I'm concerned about clearance with added side case fans, plus 963 reviews almost equally for cheaper)

Planning on a decent OC, 3.6-3.8 on the 8400, maybe some on the RAM and GPU as well? Also, I currently use a 17" LCD, may upgrade to a 19" or 20" in the near future. Like I said, this will be exclusively for gaming, and I want to run the newest games at max settings with 50-60 fps, not counting Crysis. I could spend a little more, but I'd prefer not to, unless there is a good reason.

Ideally, this machine will last me 3-4 years with limited upgrades, i.e. GPU, more RAM, and at some point a Yorkfield quad.

I welcome all comments, and thanks for looking...

Crossfire Motherboard and SLI video card mismatch. Any reason for that? Either item are good choice - maybe just not in combination.

Why not get the 500GB version of Barracuda ES.2?

Maybe 1 DVD burner and 1 4GB USB Flash Drive instead of 2x DVD burners? Use the much faster HDD to create ISO images and burn to DVD or use the HDD in place of the 2nd DVD.

Case/PSU/CPU/HSF look very nice - PSU sized for SLI 8800GTS
CL4 vs CL5 DDR2 800 - not that much difference in performance. Mushkin/Crucial/OCZ/Corsair all good choices.

Some people don't want dual video anyway. The x38 is for overclocking e8400 to its limit.

Anyway, looks good. Happy building.

Thanks for the comments...

Yes, no plans for SLI/CF, but the x38 is specifically for better overclocking, and PCIe 2.0, which very well may be an advantage within the lifetime of this pc.

As far as the hard drives go, I like to back up my data weekly, so I definitely want dual drives. Burners? The burner is only about $4 more than a DVD-rom, and I want dual drives, so what the hell...

I know the 650w PSU is a bit overkill, but its only $5 more than the 550w after rebate...

Since you are getting the X38 and the XIGMATEK cooler why not go for a Q6600? It might overclock a bit less but you still get 2 cores more for just about the same price (5.5 EUR difference where I live).

The reason he needed the high fsb is so that the e8400 can be overclocked to its limit. With a q6600, he would've been fine with a cheaper p35.

At some point in the future I am planning on a Yorkfield Quad (9450 or 9550). This would probably be at least a year, after Nehalem is established and the 775 chips drop in price significantly... The x38 would definitely be the chipset to have for that upgrade.

Case: Cooler Master CM 690

MoBo: GA-EX38-DS4 (make up your mind, SLI or Crossfire ! Your board has to be matched with your VGA.). X38 (Crossfire) or n780i (SLI), these should have about the same price.

CPU: E8400 or Xeon E3110? Both of them are OK for a better gaming and OC-experience. But if you are looking for a better multitasking than Q6600 or higher suits you better. Don't change your choice of CPU only within a year of time. It is better if you going direct to what you want from now. There is no point of changing the proc only within a year. Choose now and stick with it for 2-3 years than buy a complete new system.

PSU: Corsair 650TX.
Good. But when you are planning to use only a VGA (not SLI/Crossfire) than this is a little to high. 550W is enough.

GFX: 8800GTS 512 (XFX, BFG, or EVGA, whichever is cheapest at time of order)
8800GTS for SLI, HD3870 for Crossfire.

RAM: Not sure here. Definitely 4gb (2x2) DDR2-800. Looking at Cas L 4 kits, Corsair, Crucial, OCZ, or Mushkin. Any reason for one over another?
Crucial or Corsair are better but OCZ and Mushkin are cheaper. So it is your choice. If you are gonna go with OC choose Crucial or Corsair.

HDD: 2x Seagate Barracuda ES.2 ST3250310NS 250GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s (will not be using RAID)
Seagate 500GB 7200.11 32MB is way much better.

Drives: 2x Samsung DVD burner SATA

HSF: Xigmatek HDT-S963 92mm (I would get the 1263, but I'm concerned about clearance with added side case fans, plus 963 reviews almost equally for cheaper)
Zalman CNPS9700 is a lot better specially if you gonna OC your system. Trust me!