Gaming Build, suggestions pls...

[Riznarf]

Hi all-

I'm designing a new computer to build for myself, and thought I could use some input from you guys. I'm not the most expert technician, so lets include only novice-type things, so no SLi, water cooling, etc...

I'm trying to keep the total project under or around $2000USD.

Here's what I'm thinking so far:

CPU: e6600 (over the 6700 because I heard the 6600 is more stable and overclockable, is this true?)
Video: eVGA GeForce 8800 GTX
Case: Antec 900
Mobo:eVGA LGA 775 NVidia GeForce 680i SLI ATX

I guess some advice I need is on some memory, (I know the mobo can handle DDR1200 but is that the best?) a PSU, and harddrives. I know I probably want a 37GB 15k for the OS, and then another 500gb 7,200 for all the other stuff.

Also, I have a Vizio 32" HDTV which I'm thinking of using as a monitor. Can anyone speak for the quality if hooked up through a DVI to HDMI cable?

Thanks.

 

[saltynay]

Ram: G-skill 2x1gb (6400)
psu: 600W OCZ
hdd: (if you are prepared to buy a 15k drive which I believe is a waste you may want to look at flash hdd's 0ms seek time but the largest capacity for retail atm is 32gb and that costs $500)
Seagate barracuda 7200.10 500gb (great value, long warranty, fast)

quality is ok through the dvi-hdmi cable but using a tv as a monitor doesn't work very well resolutions are lower then monitors and the picture is designed for television which results in different contrast and brightness, tv monitors are also likely to e affected by overscanning of the picture

 

[b1gapl]

For G. Skill ram, get the HZs.

Save money by ditching the 680i mobo, and go for either the Gigabyte 965P-DS3 or MSI P6N 650i.

 

[saltynay]

well as he is a tech amateur I don't think he will be doing large overclocks so aslong as he gets decent ram he will be able to play around with overclocking and not have to spend extra funds. also he will need an after-market hsf

here are some good ones:
X-bit labs - Roundup: Seven High-Performance Coolers for AMD and Intel Processors (page 14)