First build in a long, long time. Gaming. ~$2k or $3k

Hi all,

Last system I built was back in 2003. My oh my have things changed since then!

I'd like to build a primarily gaming system. I don't mind sinking $2000 or $3000 into it, as long as the system is beefy enough to hedge against future movements in hardware technology. Since things have changed so much since 2003, I feel ... overwhelmed.

One thing I'd like to avoid is buggy motherboards. My last mobo was a NF-7 which was extremely problematic -- buggy USB, buggy SATA. It's miserable. I'd like a rock solid mobo.

Two mobos I've been looking at are:

GIGABYTE GA-EP45C-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX
GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX

Seems like the main difference between the boards is the number of PCI slots and the memory -- DDR2 vs DDR3.

Even though I want to build a beefy system and don't mind spending a little money, I'd rather not waste money. Does DDR3 really provide a noticeable performance increase? Which mobo should I go with?

And, given the mobo, what kind and how much RAM should I purchase?

I've scoured the forums, and an overclocked Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 seems to be popular. Thoughts?

Anyway, any thoughts / ideas about choice of
I'd like to buy the parts ASAP, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I've had some heating problems in the past, so I'd like to really invest in the best CPU and case fans that money can buy.

Like I mentioned, I don't mind putting 2k or 3k into this computer. I just want my new system to:

1) be relevant for as long as possible (have a flexible upgrade path)
2) have really excellent cooling

Even though I'd be ok with $3000, I don't want to actively seek wasting money on stuff that won't make much of a difference in gaming. I don't have much interest in running more than one video card (unless it does make a tremendous difference), and because I use Linux (this will be a dual boot) I'd rather stick with NVidia.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks!

For gaming with that budget i'd check out the X38/X48 motherboards instead of the P45. P45 offers the PCIeX2.0 sockets at 8x/8x , the X38/48 offers PCI2X2.0 at 16x/16x. Nothing wrong with the P45, but it is limiting especially with the top end cards (HD4870 and HD4870x2). Right now DDR3 RAM offers small benefit and really isn't worth the extra money, that'll probably change with the new i7 processors and X58 motherboards due out in a month or so (no one really knows right now) or if they do know they ain't telling.
a few motherboards to consider. Running from $155 to $290
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128089
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813136051
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131284

Go with low latency 2X2 GB DDR2 800 1.8v unless you're a serious overclocker.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820146731
The Q6600 is a great CPU, but you'll get better performance from the Q9550 clock for clock.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115041
A quality full tower case with good cooling @$130 with promo code
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129043
$160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119158

GPU - HD4870 or HD4870 X2
Power supply will really depend on your graphic card/cards solution

Like all the other comments.

Wait for the Core i7. With your budget, the prices of the new CPU's shouldn't be a problem. Patience is a virtue!

I'd say spending $2000 should be more than enough. Personally, I refrain myself from paying anything more than $1000 for PC's. This is partly my logic, why spend $2000 on a system that will barely last 4 years instead of spending $1000 now, and maybe another $1000 later. I'm sure the $1000 later will get you something better than the $2000 computer you get now.

520w PSU is not "future proof" if you plan on gaming and want a powerful rig. consider a pc power and cooling psu in the 700-1000 watt range. that way you can go SLI in the future, or so you can at least handle a gtx 280

Yeah. I don't mind plunking down $1500 on a temporary system. My Linux workstation feels kind of sluggish. When Nehalem comes out, I'll prolly use this system to replace my workstation and the Nehalem will rotate in as my gaming system.

LOL! I guess the 15 years (and still counting...) of college are finally paying off.

Unfortunately, between work and school, I don't have much time to actually play much. Occasionally I'll indulge in a FPS for a few nights so that I'm behind in both school and work. So I give up sleeping a night or two a week (tonight is such a night). Or else take vacation. I took a few days vacation to finish Call of Duty, VietCong and a few others.

It's a hard life, but OTOH, since I'm a quant developer, I take all my computer purchases as tax deductions...