ok, ok, i'll go for a 8800gts more than likely.
thats more than half of my budget though. no way i can get the DS3R/e6750
is there a cheaper mobo that'll work with the e6550 @ FSB1333? i dont think i'll need the mobo to be upgradable... i figure ddr3 will be main stream by the time i need to upgrade again and i'll have to get a new one anyway.