Here is the Mid Grade Setup
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Board..
ASUS P5K-E LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6813131225
$139.99

CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6819115017
$254.99

Case
Antec Nine Hundred
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6811129021
$99.99

Power Supply
OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6817341002
$100

CD/DVD player
SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6827151154
$34

Video Card
EVGA GeForce 8800GT Superclocked 512MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130319
$249.99 $219 rebate

Hard Disk (2 Raid 0)
Barracuda 7200.11 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA-300 Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148288
$119.99
$240 for 2 for Raid 0

OS
Vista 64-Bit Ultimate - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116215
$189.99

Memory
CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) CL 4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145194
$134 - rebate $94

Monitor
SCEPTRE X24WG-1080P Black 24" 2ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 4000:1 Built in Speakers - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6824112011
$369.99 - rebate $320


2/28/08 Updated..
Basically this is what I am going with after input from everyone here..
This is a sweet setup IMO

i give up. what are you trying to accomplish? just sharing? or...?

I'd go with 2x2gb sticks instead of 4x1gb. Fills less slots so you have room to add later.

Raptors are no longer worth it. Agree with Cheese go 2X2 on the ram, it uses less voltage than 4X1, here's the same ram in 2X2;

http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6820145184

If you're gaming, ditch that 8600GT.

was not looking for games as much as download and converting videos.

Now the memory isn't as fast, guessing that is why it is cheaper.

The following will save you $120 and be FAR faster then your setup

Instead of Raptor get the following:

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA-300 Hard Drive - OEM $ 119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148288

AND With the money save get this:

MSI NX8800GT 512M OC GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail $199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127329

In fact get two Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 and Raid0 + the 8800GT for the same price, now you have more speed in HDD AND more room (1Tera)

OK, let me RE-phrase this a bit:

The following costs the same as you listed and be FAR faster then your setup in HDD and the Video card will be blown away.

Instead of Raptor get the following:

TWO Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA-300 Hard Drive - OEM $ 240.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148288

Instead of the 8600gt get the following:

MSI NX8800GT 512M OC GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail $199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127329


MY Total = $440.00
Your build raptor ($339.98) and 8600gt ($104.99) = $445.00

SOOO you will have a WAYYYY faster Rig, with 1000 GIG Storage and save $5

what about Motherboard and CPU comb and possibility of OCing?

makes sense.. Now got 700 watt box so that down the road I could update and reuse the case and power supply.

hoping for more input.. On MoBo the OS maybe should go with 64 bit version XP. On 24' monitor and on OC and anything I will need to get. Maybe better CPU fan??

for OC, yes, you will need a better CPU fan