Here's the parts i am thinking of getting, questions to follow:

SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S203N
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827151154

XFX MB-N780-ISH9 Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813141005

SILVERSTONE OP1000 1000W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817256010

SILVERSTONE TJ09-BW Black Computer Case With Side Panel Window
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811163073

Two of these (in SLI)
EVGA GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512-P3-N841-A3 Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130312

Two of these (for a total of 4gb)
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Desktop Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145034

Q6600 (going to use a thermal electric cooler)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115018

Western Digital Caviar SE16 750GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136131

Planing on 64bit Vista ultimate

OK, now the questions:

Other than price, is there any reason two of these http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] E=WEM1567C
video cards would be more desirable?
I see that the GTX has a higher memory bandwidth and better ram interface, but slower GPU clock speeds and ram clock speeds. Is the GTX's GPU the older version and not the G92? I have been out of hardware for so long, the last time i bought a video card it was a 5950 ultra and there wasn't so many options when it comes to video cards. Now you can pick the GPU, its factory clock, the amount of ram and the ram interface, ect ect.
Basically here for 100$ i can go from two GTS's to two GTX's but i'm curious as to why these are so cheap relative to other GTX's. If its just the clock they ship at, its easy enough to buy the cheapest one and over clock it yourself with a nice after market cooler.

What's every one think of Vista Ultimate 64bit?

The HDD, i was looking at the 32mb cache seagates 500 or 750gb but i see lots of people have trouble with them... so i decided to get this WD instead... any one have an experience with either drive?

Everything looks fine, though a LightScribe drive has always seemed pretty pointless to me. Just lets you doodle on the CDs with the drive.

If you have the money, you might as well go for the GTXs in SLI. The performance increase over the GTS is negligible but hey, it's your money .

i would say rather go for the X2s if you're going to do that, but otherwise it'sa really good build. WHat's a tehrmo-electric cooler?

Its a solid state device that allows you to cool the chip below ambient. It's a cheap alternative to a elaborate water cooling system, in some ways better, should be able to take the q6600 well north of 3ghz with it.

Your name says it all, amd fanboy, but sorry, Intel is kicking the crap out of amd on every benchmark I see, even in price. A lot of low end intels are out preforming the new phenoms as well. To each their own.

But as far as the video cards
How much performance really? is it worth the 100$ more? What makes the GTX better? the ram bandwidth and size? Why are the clock speeds so much lower? (575 vs 670)

All the GTX basically is, is an overclocked, relabeled GTS.

The 8800GTX is better than the 8800GTS G92 at high resolutions. Also, the 8800GTX allows you to add a 3rd card, but the 8800GTS doesn't. The 780i chipset allows three cards, and the PSU you pixked will also support it. If you also have a 24" or bigger monitor then I suggest you go with the GTX to keep the Triple-SLI option open.

A TEC is a cooler than doesn't rely on airflow, it actually creates lower temperatures like a fridge. OK, I don't know how it works, but that's the idea.

Very nice choices in general. The WD 750 GB is one of the best drives out there. The TJ-09 is a dream case, I'm very happy with mine. I have added 3 Scythe S-Flex SFF21E fans to it (and kept the original 2 Silverstone fans too) and it does a great job. I only have one 8800GTX in it, but it's designed for two of them, with a fan blowing right between the cards.

For that sort of build you can probably afford an Enermax Galaxy 1000W or PC P&C TurboCool 1000W. Those are the best 1000W PSUs I know of.

I like the tj10 with the door but i cant pass up the deal i get i get with the psu and the case.

I have a 226bw monitor and i don't plan on going bigger any time soon.

Hawkspur;
The GTX can't be simply a OC GTS, because its running at a lower clock speed. The GPU's a certainly different, i just want to know what makes the GTX better.

Wrong! The 8800GTS 512MB G92 (only 16 ROP's) lacks the 24 ROPs that the GTX has, time to do more research. If your reffering to the old G80 8800GTS 320/640MB then you are wrong again, it only has 20 ROPs and is a lower binned product. OK time to put the beer down and just walk away!

GeForce 8800 GTX GeForce 8800 GTS
Stream (Shader) Processors 128 96
Core Clock (MHz) 575 500
Shader Clock (MHz) 1350 1200
Memory Clock (MHz) x2 900 800
Memory amount 768 MB 640 MB
Memory Interface 384-bit 320-bit
Memory Bandwidth (GB/sec) 86.4 64
Texture Fill Rate (billion/sec) 36.8 24


http://www.guru3d.com/article/Videocards/391/8/

Go with a dual GTS (G92) setup, its cheaper, and only a few frame rates below the GTX. Plus has the newer cpu and better cooling solution then the older GTS or 8800GT. I believe a 1000 watt power supply is alittle overkill, you could do just fine with 800 or so. If you are going to game on 64 bit vista, expect driver troubles, and lots of them. While support for 64 bit is increasing pretty rapidly, 32 bit vista is going to be less of a headache, and hands down you will have more driver support also. I would suggest reading up on peoples comments who use the 64 bit os. Look for the common denominator, cuz i gauruntee its gonna look like a crap shoot with people saying either they have issues with a game or they dont, etc. Howdy systemlod, how goes it? I believr he was talking the g92 core gts not the older g80.

I saw an XFX 8800GTX today at TigerDirect for $349.99, thats amazing!

NO ****? damn, might have to upgrade next month then, lol

seems like the prices for that card are set to drop liek a rock from what they used to be

Can any one recommend a sound card? or is on board good enough... i have a fairly picky ear, i will hear any distortion. I have a SB Live! 5.1 plat in my computer ( that i built in 2001, so this is a HUGE upgrade for me) and i'm fairly upset with them for the service they gave me with it and the lack of drivers and proper Direct sound support.

Would you guys say the g92 GTS has more potential for over clocking than the g80 gtx??

Are those Killer Nic's worth it?

Umm, yeah, lol.

yeah to what exactly? the OC question?