Mid-Range build with an eye towards upgrading in the future

[StormTAG]

The thought process:

I'm hoping to get a powerful enough foundation so that as I continue to get money and games continue to grow, I can upgrade with the times. To that effort, it's intentional that I got an SLI compatable board but only one GPU, four memory slots but only two sticks, etc.

When looking through these components, I'd hope for recommendations to improve the system now, as well as things I could change to make it easier to upgrade later.

New egg Wish List: http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/P...ishListNumber=7838371&WishListTitle=Mid-Range

MOBO: ASUS Striker II Formula LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400
GPU: ASUS EN8800GTS/HTDP/512M GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP
RAM: CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit
HDD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
CASE: COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-WW Black/Silver Aluminum Bezel, SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
PSU: COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro RS-850-EMBA 850W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply
CPU-HS: ZALMAN 9500A 92mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler
DVD: LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model LH-20A1L-06

 

[shadowthor]

I would probably wait, as Nehalem will be out at the end of the year, or get a Quad core to be more future proof.

 

[AlterReality]

You may want to think about your PSU selection. You picked a $200 PSU that only has 5x 12v rails at 18amps. Typically, most people will look for 12v rails at 24-30amps, unless they use a large, single rail system. Here are a few PSU's that come highly recommended and reviewed:

PCP&C 750w Silencer (119.99 after MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703009

PCP&C 750w Silencer (sister drive of the above - 124.99 after MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011

Corsair 750TX - 750w (119.99 after MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006


You can find a PSU Tiered list here:
http://www.tomswiki.com/page/Tiered+PSU+Listings?t=anon

 

[Why_Me]

!) better case with better airflow/cooling, more room for SLI.

2) better heatskink

3) memory will overclock 1:1 with your cpu.

4) There's your SLI/dual vids (factory overclocked), in that build right there.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137 $84.99
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006 $129.99 ($119.99 after $10.00 Mail-In Rebate)
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CE, CB, TUV, FCC, CCC - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037 $189.99
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003 $36.99
XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233019 $6.99
XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131294 $249.99
ASUS P5N72-T Premium LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231192 $94.99
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130350 $204.99
EVGA 512-P3-N872-AR GeForce 9800 GTX Superclocked 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130350 $204.99
EVGA 512-P3-N872-AR GeForce 9800 GTX Superclocked 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073 $79.99
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106263 $23.99
LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X 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 SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186020&Tpk=mx-2 $6.99
ARCTIC COOLING MX-2 Thermal Compound - Retail

Total
$1,314.89