1st Gaming Rig Build, need suggestions

[cr3flo]

I posted a previous build on these forums but then I had to study for finals (which I kicked butt at) and I also had a few different choices in parts so here goes:

XtremeGear / CoolerMaster RC-1000 Cosmos Silent Gaming Tower Case

Newegg.com - EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Intel Motherboards

Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield 3.0GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 130W Quad-Core Processor - CPUs / Processors

Newegg.com - Crucial Ballistix Tracer 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

3X
Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives
(2 for Raid 0, and one for Data storage)

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro RS-850-EMBA 850W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply 100 - 240 V CE, cUL, TUV, NEMKO, BSMI, FCC - Power Supplies

2X
Newegg.com - SAMSUNG Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache PATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - CD / DVD Burners

2X
Newegg.com - EVGA 512-P3-N845-AR GeForce 8800GTS (G92) KO 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
in SLI


The reason I choose to go for a QX9650 is because I am not familiar with overclocking as I have had this pos Dell for 8 years now. So in that regard, I will be running this system at stock for the first 3 weeks or so before I start tinkering with overclocking...maybe longer.

Now for my RAM selection, if I'm running at stock speeds would pc8500 be a better choice?

I know my PSU is overkill, however I want this system to be highly upgradeable.

Going with Cosmos Silent Gaming Tower because the Dell I have now is LOUD and I hate it.

What cooling fans, heatsinks, thermal paste/grease, should I go with? I'm not savvy on cooling setups and my tower will have multiple spots for fans (they come with fans but I heard they aren't good quality).

I have a $3k budget for this system.

Any suggestions?


Thanks.

 

[cr3flo]

I've decided to switch up the RAM to this:
Newegg.com - OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Desktop Memory

And I've decided to go with this PSU instead:
Newegg.com - PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W EPS12V Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, ULC, CE, CB, RoHS - Power Supplies

I would really like to know what you recommend for cooling the processor though, what are some good cooling solutions?

Also, people keep telling me that the QX9650 is only slightly better than the Q6600 and won't make a huge difference, how can this be? When I start overclocking won't it make a HUGE difference?

 

[mexpedip]

I would recommnd dropping the Q9650 to a Q9450. Stick with the 45nm cpu. It runs very cool (mine is currently @ 25 C and I just got done playing BF2). Use the $600 difference to get a good internal DVD/blue-ray drive or liquid cooling.

I don't know much about the case you chose but I do know the case below is excellent if you are using air cooling and you are going to OC. I use the mid-tower but I have been told by reliable sources (which means I am guessing) that the full-tower is much better.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043

CPU air cooling:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

Thermal Paste: I bought the highest rated since I know less than nothing about thermal paste and really did not want to do any research.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007