I've reached a conclusion on my new build and I wanted to make sure of two things: 1) does this all work together (more specifically, can I utilize both PCI Express slots still even when using such a large card--also would I be able to have room to expand to dual SLI); and 2) does any of the below hardware jump out as insufficient or overly price to anyone?

My goal is a mid-range gaming/home entertainment PC. I will be running my digital cable through this box. My displays will be a 19 inch widescreen in conjunction with a 24 inch widescreen. The following hardware:

Total Cost: $1,378.91 pre-shipping
Budget: $1500 total

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 Yorkfield 2.5GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80580Q9300
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115043 ($269.99)

COOLER MASTER COSMOS 1000 RC-1000-KSN1-GP Black/ Silver Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119138 ($189.99)

ASUS P5N72-T Premium LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131294 ($249.99)

XFX PVT98FYDF9 GeForce 9800 GTX(G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150287 ($189.99)

Hauppauge WinTV-HVR 1800 MCE Kit 1128 NTSC/ATSC/QAM/FM TV Tuner Card w/MCE Remote
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6815116015 ($99.99)

PC Power & Cooling S75QB 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817703009 ($154.99)

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231166 ( $104.99)

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822148288 ($84.99)

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model LH-20A1L-06
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827106072 ($33.99)




Thanks for your comments.

everything look fine

Wait till august cause the cpu prices are supposed to drop a bit.And I would go with a different case,it looks nice and all but it collects dust pretty fast.Id go with the antec 1200,seen them around for 150$.In comparison with the x48/P45 and the Nvidia boards,The x48/P45 win,same price as the nvidia boards just more features and stability.If your running 1 card go for the maximus 2(P45) and if your running crossfire go for the rampage formula(x48).May want to get 2 4850 in crossfire instead of the 9800gtx.New drivers for the 4000 series are coming out soon and they will fix the fans speeds.It will be a better bang for the buck.Rams ok but I would go with something with a rebate like the DDR2 1066 Reapers(Stay cooler).And I would go with the Western Digital 6400AKS Drive(Fast,Quiet,Cool).

right 4850 ftw

Are you dead set on Intel and Nvidia?

The Phenom 9850 BE would offer a similar experience for cheaper (205$)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103249

The 790 boards are quite good, 790FX supports Crossfire(X) 2+ video cards, kinda silly, but an upgrade path. 780G offers onboard video, that works with new ATI cards in Hybrid SLI.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131291
(189.99)
And there is cheaper options than that.

Used the money saved to go with a 4870, or 4850's in CF

Even tho people seem to give AMD's crap, the CPU wont slow you down much if at all at resolutions over 1280x1024, after that, its more or less limited by GPU.

That set up costs about the same, should beat your set up, in games atleast.

Also, keep in mind, AM3 will fit in AM2 boards,

*fit not fix lol

You'll always get suggestions on changes, no matter what you post. I could make some myself but really you have done well. Just confirm memory compatibility with both ASUS and G. skill before ordering.

A computer built with quality parts today will last for years, even as a gaming computer. Will you be able to max everything on a 22in screen and get 60+ FPS? No, but if you turn everything to medium you will. And it will handle any office type program and normal user tasks for years after that.

Sorry for breaking your dreams but desktop nehalem cpu's will come in q3 2009, and the lowest prices will be around 300$ for 1000 cpu bins. Regarding cpu demand for that time it is most certain we will see small offers compared to demands, meaning prices will rise sky high and you probably won't find any of the nehalems in stock till q4 2009 or q1 2010. So as far as 775 stands, it will be future proof for at least 18-24 more month.
This is not my presumption, it's quoted from a statement of intel spokesman, just can't remember if i read it on anandtech or xtremesystems. I'll search it and post back with the link and entire quote when i got a bit of free time so i'm not taken as a lier.
Meanwhile get a q9450 if you really want one, it's the best bang for the buck 45nm quad. 9300 is just a middle segment between the q6600 and q9450, and the money difference is well justified to get a q9450.

cpu and everithing else looks fine. but i would suggest geting a intel chipset with crossfire and go for a 4850. it will end up cheaper which will let u even pick up a 4870 or a 4850 CF if ur willing to spend the $125 that u have spare.....hence better future proofing

Okay. The 4850s do look sexy.

If I select an X48 board like this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128336 will I be able to fit the WinTV card if I eventually upgrade to two 4850s in crossfire?

I'm also going to take the above recommendation on the RAM.

Thanks

nice nice, good pricing i must add