I'm working on getting a list together for my 1st PC build and was wondering if anyone has suggestions on upgrading the motherboard. (and a few general questions)


Here is the build of record as of this moment

Antec P182 Gun Metal Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
ASUS P5K SE LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
MSI NX8800GTS 512M OC GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
SeaSonic S12 Energy Plus SS-550HT ATX12V / EPS12V 550W Power Supply
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD7500AAKS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
Logitech 967738-0403 Black USB Standard Deluxe 250 Keyboard
(2 mointors) HP LP2065 Silver-Carbonite 20" 8ms LCD Monitor with Height & Pivot Adjustments
RAZER RZ01-00050200-R2M1 Anarchy Red 7 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Wired Laser Copperhead Mouse
ASUS 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-2014L1T
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio VARPAK 7.1 Channels PCI Express Interface Sound Card
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 64-bit English 1pk DSP OEI DVD
CORSAIR Dominator 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail


I was thinking that this
ASUS P5K3 DELUXE/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
or this
ASUS P5K DELUXE/WIFI-AP LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

Might be a better choice,

Than this...
ASUS P5K SE LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard

But I don't really know enough to make an intelligent decisions.
(However I'm now told the ASUS that I selected does not have a PS2 Mouse Port so maybe another board suggestion here?)


Also, I was wondering if makes sense to go for DDR3?
Do I need 4GB of ram (even if I go with DDR2)?
(Someone suggested that Corsair TWIN2X or DHX RAM instead of the Dominators and that DDR3 is not a good consideration?)


I'm not looking to overclock, mostly just want a better system that will allow me to run two monitors and play 8 tables of poker at a time, edit movies and pictures and do some work database stuff. Mostly I want to build something that will allow me to upgrade over time so that's why I'm wondering if a better motherboard makes sense now.
A few other question at the bottom of the build list that are not directly MOB releated.


Possibly also two HD's one for data, one for programs?
What's the correct ratio program/data size? 750/300?


Regarding my monitor choice and I assume this does not tax the motherboard at all.

I had selected getting two of these.

HP LP2065 Silver-Carbonite 20" 8ms LCD Monitor with Height & Pivot Adjustments 300 cd/m2 800:1 - Retail (2 at $299 each after discounts)

But started to think that a 24” might sort of work and could always add to it.

Possible upgrade to my card choice? NVIDIA I'm told is a bit rough on the edges with such setups and that ATI might be better but I have no specific card in the ATI line, suggestions?

Thanks in advance as it seems the more I learn the less I know!

You won't need DDR3. It is a waste of money right now.

I would go for 4GB of good quality DDR2. Try for a kit of G. Skill; they make great stuff.

And I would get a Gigabyte EP35 board rather than an ASUS. The DS3L is an excellent choice; get a DS3R if you want to run RAID in the future.

As far as a video card, yours is great. You might consider getting an EVGA so you can use their Step-Up program to grab a GT2xx when they come out.

Awesome build; it really looks like you know your stuff.

^Agreed, DDR3 is a waste for now, though Id like to see how it runs in tri channel or whatever its called. Both the DS3L and DS3R are great boards. If you have the extra cash and want to OC a X38 would be a good choice.

Seems like this board is a better fit, no?

GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS4 LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Dynamic Energy Saver Ultra Durable II Intel Motherboard - Retail

Any downside to this one? Seems like every board is missing something?

I want a real solid board with decent features but also one that has not given folks many problems.