New to building

[effminus]

this is my first build for an sli config and I just wanted to get some opnions on the build im about to buy.

MB: Biostar TP43 HP http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138126

CPU: Intel core two duo wolfdale 3.0gz http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

Mem: Gskill 2 gig DDR 1066 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231144

Vid: 2 PNY 8800 gt http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133232

 

[mark $]

Don't use SLI with that board. It's a P43 meaning when in sli the second card is at a x1 instead of x16 like it should be. I would get 4gbs of 800 ram instead of 2 of 1066 (that's ddr2 btw, which it should be in either case). A single 4870 or a 9800 gx2 will provide better performance for a bit less money and you won't need an sli board. I recommend the ati 4870 graphics card. Also what's your budget, do you have case, powersupply, monitor, thermal paste, hard drive, optical drive.

 

[Proximon]

Heh, there is no SLI support on that board It's not even a crossfire board.

Crossfire = ATI cards
SLI = nvidia cards.

You can crossfire on P45 chipsets, x38, or x48 chipsets.

You can SLI on various nVidia chipsets such as 790i... but it's not recommended at this point. ATI video cards are currently the best option.

A few threads to get you started:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/169937-33-short-list-gaming-videocards-money

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/255103-31-gaming-critique-welcomed

 

[effminus]

My limit is $500. The plan is to keep my atx case and my 500 watt power suppily. I got an older crt that was used for photo shop that is a 19' 1600x1200 so I think im going to keep that for $$ reasons. I wanted to get an sli board to upgrade later by buying a 300 watt "cd rom slot" power suppily add on and an additional 8800 gt, but not for either 6 months, till it becomes too out dated to play games on or untill they stop selling the 8800 gt's all together. Any ideas on a MB around 100-150 that would be 16x 2.0 pci x2? Also thinking about going with a 4850 insted but thats $50 more sadly and not in the budget. (thanks all for your imput BTW! your doing me a huge favor with you info!!)

 

[effminus]

Ok Let me know what you think about this set up. Lil more $$ but only about $100 but I think I can do it. Also i only have a copy of Vista 32 wich is why i wanted to go for a max of 3gb since wonderful windows likes to cap the memory with us cheap skates

Vid: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102747

MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138118

Ram:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231144 (can always get another gig later)

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

 

[V3NOM]

2x8800GT is the best budget cards that will rape the fastest single gpu card on the market: the GTX280 for a much cheaper price... 4850's are way more expensive than 8800GT's.

 

[effminus]

or this one. this one is 570 vs. 600 like the one above.

Vid: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102747

Mem: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102747

MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

Also forgot to mention that i have HD's ,dvd, fans (a cpu fan as well but its on my old P4 duel core, so im not sure if its going to work with a duel core 2)

 

[Proximon]

It's a good choice, if you can afford it.

I went looking for a low cost SLI board I could recommend for you instead, but I came back with nothing. I think your plan is solid. That combo deal with the CPU and P5Q is good.