New Gaming Computer - Need some help

Hey everyone, I'm a newb to building desktops and I need some help, here is my new $1000 budget gaming build so far:

These are the three pieces I've settled on more or less:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115036

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 1066 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231166

These I'm stuck between some choices, but also open to any other recommendations:

GPU:
Option 1: 2x GeForce 8800 GT ( ASUS EN8800GT/HTDP/512M GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814121263

Option 2: A single graphics card that would run most high-end games graphics-wise and is better than an 8800GT (need recommendations)

MOBO: I've put some thought into this, and I'm really looking for the best value in MOBO here for the above CPU/GPU. I don't want to pay an extra $50 for a minor upgrade, if I'm paying more I want it to be worth the extra cash.

Option 1: $119, Cheapest, ASUS P5N-E SLI LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131142

Option 2: $150, ASUS P5N-D LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI ATX http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131232

Option 3: $219, Priciest, ASUS P5E Deluxe LGA 775 Intel X48 ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131317

Or should I go with an Intel chipset instead of Nvidia because of its stability? I'm really lost here.

HD:
Option 1: 2x Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148262

Option 2: 1x Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) ST3500630AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148136

Or think I should go for more memory? 700gb+?

Here's the parts that I really don't have much of a preference for what I get, as long as it works and doesn't have an overheating problem:

Case: Need recommendations, obviously I want good airflow I can get but I really am looking for something dirt-cheap too.

DVD: No idea, cheap as possible, as long as it can read and write really.

Powersource: Need recommendations here.

Heat Sink: Need recommendations.

Thanks!

Hmm yeah I looked at more articles and I think i want to go cheaper on the graphics cards and just one....

How would a Geforce 8800 GTS or 9600/9800 with 1G of video memory look like when compared to the ATI 4870 or the SLI 2x8800GT?

I'm also leaning towards the Asus P5N-D motherboard, I want to keep the option of putting 2 cards in SLI but I might not necessarily start out that way.

I mostly play MMOs like EQ2, LotRO, Age of Conan, etc. and some do support SLI so I may actually benefit from that.

The amount of noise the cards make isn't a problem for me either.

The 4870 will be a lot faster than both the 9600 and 8800GTS GeForce GPUs.
Don't even think of purchasing a 9600 unless you are on a really tight budget.

When it comes to the 4870 Vs. the 9800GTX, the 4870 will win.
The 9800GTX+, however, should be cheaper in your country (as it is in mine), delivers greater performance than the standard 9800, runs cooler and has more overhead for OC'ing, so is a big bang-for-buck.

Don't do dual 8800GTs - the performance isn't as great as a single 9800GX2, which is basically 2x 8800GTs on one board and will only use 1 PCI-e slot as opposed to dual 8800GTs.

The 9800GX2 will beat anything in this case.

Changing the graphics card isn't a huge issue later on, maybe a year or so down the road when newer models come out and the current ones are cheaper. I looked at the 4870 and I don't think I want to spend that much money on the graphics card, one of the reasons I was thinking of getting 2x 8800GSs is because a store near me is having a sale if you buy two of them, would have cost me only $220.

In the end, I think I might just stay with either an 8800 GS or GTS (also looking at the 4850), something below $170. I'm going to hold back on the SLI. Try to keep this build at around $1200.

Thanks very much for all the help with selecting the graphics card! I think I've settled on a build, I'll post it here shortly just incase I'm making a bad buy or any mistakes with the setup someone can point it out to me (heck, this thread has probably saved me about $300 in unnecessary components, thanks again!)

I have an suggestion on graphics card. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102747 with $15 coupon (S4F50242L) brings the 4850 down to $140 after mail in rebate. Much better card for the money and I would think a much better purchase overall. Good luck on the build.

Final Setup:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115036

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 1066 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231166

GPU: 4850, the one jaysins linked, thanks for the promo code too!

MOBO: Last one I need help with: Either

ASUS P5E LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard (Open Box), I donlt know if it's worth risking it buying an open box product from newegg

Or

ASUS P5Q LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard, won't have the option of later upgrading to 2 cards but I don't think I'll need to.

HD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11

Case: Rosewill RZLS142A-P BK Dual 120mm Cooling Fans and Mesh Design Front Panel Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

DVD: ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T

Powersource: Antec EA650 650W ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 Power Supply

Heat Sink: XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler

Sound good?

https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/ [...] ID=7101345

Good deal. get the retention bracket for the Xiggy as well and some AC5. Don't use the push pins, they suck.

Oh on the RAM... nothing wrong with 1066, but you won't need it unless overclocking alot. Simple overclocks with that CPU will put you at a 400Mhz FSB, so 800Mhz RAM will give you a 1:1 ratio.