Finally...

[LMC]

got the funds saved up and ready to order. I've been patrolling this board for months now and here is my list: mobo:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131048 CPU:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115005 RAM:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145590 HDD:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148140 PSU:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817189014 Case:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129154 Video card:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102067 OS:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16837116194 keyboard/mouse:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823109132 DVD:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106049 also:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812198005 I don't intend to overclock but who knows- may try it sometime. So I was thinking of that and found this DDR800 RAM- with the rebate its only $17 more than the DDR667. As for the video card, I'm still kinda undecided. Maybe the 7900 GS? Or the 7950GT? Any opinions/comments? Oh BTW I'll be using my 17" MAG Innovision CRT for the present.

[flanzig1]

The mother board you picked is a bit dated but still it supports C2D cpus. The preferred Asus board for C2D is the P5B series. If not going to Vista soon, either video card would do with an extra leaning towards the X1950xt. The Xclio psu may be OK, will let somes other chime in on it.

[bd1886]

I've been keeping an eye on the opinions here also and it was funny... knew almost exactly what components were in your links. (This site is the best place for competent opinions.) That's a great shake down on components.

[newbuilder14]

Only things I'd change are:

Mobo: Asus P5B.
PSU: Something from Enermax, Antec, Seasonic, Silverstone, FSP, or similar... some Xclios are nice, but I don't know about that one. Especially since you're using a high end card.
Adapter: You don't need that, do you?
OS: Save 10 bucks and get the OEM version with the upgrade coupon.
DVD: Get a retail Lite-On box so you get software.

I'd seriously recommend changing the things I've stated above if you have the funds to do so.

[Mr.Ferrari]

Actually the Xclio Stablepower series I believe are based off the same new CWT platform as the Thermaltake Toughpowers. That being said, they are very good powersupplies. Also another good one to consider would be the Silverstone ST50EF.

[LMC]

Thanks for the input. As for the mobo I quote ( yeah I wrote it down lol) "I'd rather have a P5LD2 than a P5B if I was going for stability with no overclocking." This from Mr. Ferrari. Also from glc "to overclock C2D use P965 chipset- stock with DDr667 go with 945P 2.0." Thanks for the DVD info, I hadn't noticed that detail. Xclio is on the prefered list, I didn't know there were variations amongst them- yeah maybe change that. That adapter is because the PSU is in the bottom of the case and that 4 pin receptacle is at the very top of the mobo and I don't want to find the wire was too short- it'd be exasperatin.

[Mr.Ferrari]

Whichever motherboard you decide on, keep in mind that 965 has now become very matured and pretty stable. 945P is proven though, definitely no point in going with XMS if you choose that.

[LMC]

Well, I'm kinda trying to look into the future. Thats why the XMS RAM. The rebate makes its price close enough to DDR667 that I figured why not? In a year or 2 replace this with a P5B or similar, SLI maybe. At that point such mobos will be cheap(er). Overclock it to stay contemporary. But that doesn't address DX10- a reason to go cheaper now(7900GS instead of X1950XT) and see where things are in 12-18 months. Anyone want to predict the future?

[Mr.Ferrari]

A X1950Pro would beat a 7900GS and is around the same price. That could be a good comprimise.

Otherwise 12months+ in the computer world is very hard to predict. Both Nvidia and ATi should have mid range cards available from mid to end of this year.

Its what you plan on doing. If you plan on playing current games at pretty hefty settings then I would suggest the X1950pro. How soon you hit DX10 is up to you.

[LMC]

Once I've built this pc I'll be set 'till developements require me to upgrade again. I'm a gamer but I don't need the very best- efficient operation and bang for the buck is my attitude. DX10 specific software(games) won't appear until there is a large enough installed base to use it. Mid level cards appear, months pass before they become common enough. Even then my interests are narrow so add more time. This card could be good for 2 years. Hmmmm........ Thanks for your respnse.

[glc]

The price difference between the 945P 2.0 and P965 boards is now where the 965 is the better option, especially with future upgrading in mind.

If you want to wait a bit, the lower priced 4xxx C2D's are almost here and the E6300 is going to be replaced with the E6320 at the same price and twice the cache.

[andper10]

This Corsair XMS DDR2 800 has a lower cas latency, so it should be a little faster than your pick. Plus, it is a few bucks cheaper. Although you might want to check the QVL (Qualified Vendors List) and see if the Cas 4 is guaranteed compatible. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145034

I would go with a P5B Motherboard, but I guess that its up to you.

You want the OEM version of windows XP Home ($90): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116169

Yes, Xclio is a good PSU manufacturer. I have one in my computer. However, it appears that some of the older ones can buckle when put under too much pressure. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I think that the Xclio 600W ($100) could handle any single card on the market right now: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817189007 . The only downside that I have found is that (quoted from a newegg review) "it makes a buzzing noise for about a minute after you turn it off". And some people don't report this problem. Enjoy your build!

[newbuilder14]

I agree with Andper10's suggestions, but I have heard CL4 having problems with the P965 chipset - I recommend the XMS memory with CL5.

[LMC]

I have been taking another look since Mr. Ferrari's comment of the 965 chipset. P5B has the DDR800 standard and newer chipset. Also better overclock and sound capabilities. It seems I'm convinced. Glc- you say wait a bit, does that mean days or weeks? All these comments about Xclio make me nervous. How 'bout plan B? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817153042

[newbuilder14]

DDR2-667 works fine with P965 - DDR2-800 memory should only be used if you are going to overclock.

Some Xclios are very nice - I wouldn't use that Thermaltake PurePower unit. Antec, FSP, Seasonic, Silverstone, and Enermax make good power supplies.

[glc]

Weeks.

[LMC]

Yeah I found some info at AnandTech. E4300 this month, E6320 in quarter 2. But the 4300 is just a duplicate of the 6300 $30 cheaper. The interesting one is the 6320- but that'll be awhile. Dang tough choice. And here I've gotten excited about finally replacing this old machine. No more lag and drag. Maybe I should go back to my first idea and get the E6600. Bigger cache and faster speed if I'm not gonna overclock. I'm going to Newegg and redo my list and see(read convince myself this is better).

[glc]

If you are going to buy now, I'd get the E6600. It's quite overclockable if you want to do that. It should go up to 1333 with stock cooling - and you can even run 667 ram at 1:1 ratio.

[LMC]

I think I'll do that. E6600 on a P5B. I don't want to overclock, its just an option in the future so the 6600's higher clock speed is a factor here. Also get the XFX 7900 GS. ATI is owned by AMD, Asus' Intel mobos support SLI and some disparaging comments I've seen of crossfire all point me toward Nvidia. The total cost is a little higher than I had anticipated, but thats ok if it gets me the machine I want. Besides, things are always higher than expected, right? The DDR800 is only a few bucks more than 667, meets the board's specs, and is better into the future too.