hello so this would be my first computer i build myself and would like some help. Is ddr3 worth ir right now and if all the partrs i have choosen are compatible.

case: coolermaster stacker 830 evolution
psu: coolermaster real power pro EMBA 850 watt
Cpu: Intel core2 quad q6600
Mobo: evga 780i sli
ram: corsair dominator 4gb
graphics card: Msi 8800gt 512
hd: seagate barracuda 500gb 7200rpm
cpu cooler: artic colling freezer 7 pro (should i use a 120 mm cooler and which thermal paste is the best?)

if there are improvements,suggestions, please let me know. and i would like to run sli eventually.

here is my egg wish list: http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/ [...] tTitle=how

hey if u going high-end why not the q9450?? Just a thought..
Second, NO DDR3 is NOT worth it..
But, if u looking for high overclocks, try the xigmatek or TRUE..
Third, if u can stretch ur budget just a bit more, why not 8800gts or 4870/50??

No! Friends don't let noobs buy bad power supplies! Get a Corsair instead!

Also, unless you plan to SLI, why get a 780i mobo?? A P45 or X38/X48 and an ATI 4850 would be a much better choice!

DDR2 800 CAS4 is just as fast as 1066 CAS 5 and does not have compatibility issues.

Here is my wishlist that is days from becoming a reality: http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/ [...] r=11725467

alright changed my power supply and if i change procs then i would need to cut back somewhere, most likely my case. But i still want a case with really good airflow, i looked into the antec 900 but i want a full tower. Any suggestions?

If you like the antec 900, but still want a full tower - check out the antec 1200. It's only ~$150 at microcenter:

http://microcenter.com/single_prod [...] id=0288150

I love the 900, and am still tempted to get the 1200. It comes with all 8 fans, fan filters, cable management options. I hear it's nice.

Good luck.

ddr3 currently doesn't offer any performance increase over ddr2... once ddr 3 controls become available and tri-channel ram is put in use... it should start to become the performance king of ram

Well if you are looking for a full tower with good airflow the XCLIO windtunnel. I just ordered one friday and it looks promising and is only about 119.99. 2 250 mm fans on the side and a 120 mm in the back. Just a thought and would venture away from the antec 900/1200 that everyone buys.

Here is the link:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] windtunnel

alright well i went with the 900 and did the combo deal from newegg with the evga 780i sli motherboard, but now i might be regretting that because tri-sli is ridiculously expensive and i could have saved money on a different board. i guess i was just excited because this is my first system lol whatever. ill just be happy once it gets here.

Oh and can someone tell me when newegg is going to send me my freaking tracking number? i ordered it yesterday and nothing in my email except that they are confirming that they took my money.

That's a pretty good board, tri- SLI or not.

Go to newegg and check your account. You should be able to track the order from there, by now.

The mobo showed up! its pretty. now im just waiting on my case.
alrightly got some more questions:

1: how can i tell thing thing works? in my old pc i dont have a 24 pin power cable thing so i cant take it out and throw it into my new system?

2: can the 9800 gtx run in plain old sli or only tri sli?

3: in what order should i buy the rest of my parts. i cant buy them all at once so i need to choose wisely?

i think it should get my parts like this
1 psu
2cpu
3 ram
4 HD/Heatsink
5 graphic card

Yes?

also, help me choose a video card.

I think memory prices may be on an upswing, so it may be wise to buy that next. Get two one gig sticks for now and upgrade with two more later, if money is tight.

CPUs generally go down in price until they become obsolete, so there is no harm waiting on the CPU.

PSU... they seem to just go up good idea to get one soon as well as memory.

Any newer, higher end nVidia card is going to work in SLI or tri-SLI. Since you aren't buying one right away any discussion on which one is pointless. Perhaps when you are ready to buy the 9800GTX2 will look good.

my case arrived today! and there were 3 free 120mm fans with it. awesomeness!

my motherboard requires a 24 pin power cable whatever and the power supply i picked says it have a 20+4 power thing. i realize that it equals 24 but will it work? and yes this is a serious question, im new!

Yep.

can anyone recommend some ram for me? i had planned on using this gskill ram http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231098 but ram has turned out to be alot more confusing then i anticipated.

will this ram, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820104008 , work with the 780i motherboard? the motherbaord memory standard is ddr 800 but this ram is ddr 1066.

thanks everyone for all the support you are giving me!

oh wait.....