The best answers to your motherboard questions are to read some tech reviews. These guys work with this stuff as a living whereas this is just a hobby to me. Here are some places to start reading:

http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...rboard+reviews

If you don't plan on using SLi now or in the future then you just need an ATX board that supports PCI_E X 16. The newer boards are going to PCI_E X 16 2.0 but that 8800GTX is not 2.0 although you could still get a 2.0 board and it would work.

You probably do not need 700 Watts but at least 600. The important thing here is to verify that the PSU has both an 8 pin ATX CPU connection as required for quad core CPU's as well as 2 X 6 pin PCI_E connections required for an 8800GTX.

I think I will just go with single card that will cut my cost for a motherboard a lot right? So, I need to find a motherboard with PCI_E X 16. PSU that has 2 8 pin connectors?

I don't think I will find a MB for single video card that is 8 pin connector. Looks like I will have no choice but to go with this board:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...VGA-_-13188013

the rating was 95 out of 100 which means buy it. But, I read a few post by people and some ranged from DOA to good borad. Dunno, I guess if the experts say 95 out of 100 means buy it ...I guess I will..lol What do you think?

look at this link:
http://wize.com/best/motherboards?c=...s_reviews1_cnt

The board I am talking about is the 2nd one.

Building a computer and reading some of these reviews just makes me go crazy. You know what I mean? Tom's website gave that MB I just posted 95 rating and at Newegg where the MB is there is more negative then positive. That board was 4x winner for consumer choice but, those reviews at Newegg are bad. What do I do, go with that board you posted from Newegg "2nd one" or go with Tom's posted about the above MB I just posted?? lol


** this is the MB you posted**
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131227

First to clarify the pin question:

Quad Core requires 1 x 8 pin ATX. 8800GTX require 2 x 6 pin each.

I would go with professional reviews. I've been buying from Newegg a long time and have never posted a comment. I'd suspect that more people are driven to complain then praise. If you get a good product most people just don't go posting about it is my feeling.

The board you post was the last I used a year ago and it is still in my gaming machine. It went through 10 different BIOS in the first year out plus it was RMA'd to upgrade the Quad Core ready hardware.

So my "review" is that it is a good board. Better today than a year ago.

EVGA 122-CK-NF68-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...VGA-_-13188013

The only drawback I've seen posted and also had personal experience is not to overclock the RAM. Doing so has a detrimental effect on the RAM. Also try to get RAM that runs at 1.8 Volts rather than 2.0 or 2.1.

The 680i chipset was top of the line a year ago. Now there is 780i which the highest end boards I posted use. These chipsets are by Nvidia which is also the 8800GTX. I try to keep it all Nvidia which resolves any chipset conflicts that some of the complainers complain about.

Take a look at what I probably will start with and let me know you thoughts once again.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811215006

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130325

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188024

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115017

Looks good. Nice case. We've been over the mobo and CPU. The mobo BIOS is now at P32. I do not know what is shipping but it is an easy flash especially with a floppy drive. You can get a floppy drive/ card reader combo for under $30 or just a floppy for @ $10 and it is worth it.

Now you need a good PSU and RAM.

I'd say you could go down to 650 > 700 Watts on the PSU but make sure it is "Quad Core" and "PCI_E 2.0/SLi" ready. I'd still go with 700 Watts myself.

Again get RAM that runs at 1.8 Volts.

What do u mean about the BIOS being at P32? So, I should buy a floppy drive for flashing my MB? Can you find me a PSU that I will need? I just have to talk with my wife so I can at least buy those four things. Also can u post some good memory that runs at 1.8? thanks

As I mentioned I bought the same board one year ago. It shipped with BIOS P23. As of last month the latest update is P32. I do not know what your board will ship with but I'd guess P31 from last October. The only addition to P32 is the new Intel CPU's "Wolfdale". Otherwise the P31 is all you need. A floppy drive flash is the best way to flash the BIOS and it is also the best boot tool for diagnostics. At $10 I think a floppy drive is well worth having.

The EVGA web site is very slow but here it is and I quote the last update.

As to your other questions I will take a look at Newegg when I get the time.

http://www.evga.com/support/drivers/...t.asp?switch=2

The following drivers/files are available for your hardware and operating system combination.


Note: If you are having difficulties downloading the driver file, please make sure you completely disable any third party download managers.


Bios Version : P32
BIOS Date : 1/21/2008
Bios File : NF68_P32.bin (FTP / HTTP)
Notes : The following was updated in release P32:

Updated Wolfdale CPU microcode
Also includes these updates from bios P20, P21, P23, P24, P25, P26, P27, P28, P29, P30 and P31:

Improved Core 2 Quad 1333 stability and overclocking
Improved Core 2 Duo 1333 overclocking
Resolves issues with G0 stepping CPU's detecting odd multipliers
Improved overclocking for Kentsfield 1333 FSB CPUs
Additional 1333 FSB Support for future CPUs
Fixes intermittent S3 Resume bug
Improve S3 resume functionality
USB flash key functionality improvements
Overclocking and memory improvements
WHQL-related HPET fixes
Quad-Core OC Improvements
Additional support for 1333MHz CPU's
Wireless PCI card fixes
Vreg fan header default set to on
Memory performance improvements
Vista WHQL Certified
USB Floppy improvements for RAID installs
Correct CPU temp and voltage system monitor displays in BIOS
Correct default CPU multiplier setting
Fix "Code 50" hang received under certain VGA configurations
Fix for SATA disk drives
Improvements to memory stability and overclockability
Disabled spread spectrum tables for improved overclockability
Improve POST screen CPU speed reporting
Improves X-Fi and internal audio functionality
WHQL Certified BIOS
Improvements to overclocking
Enhancements for Quad-Core CPUs
Adds ability to enable splash screen
INSTRUCTIONS: BIOS updating can be accomplished VIA one of the two below methods.

FLOPPY (Floppy Disk and Disk Drive Required)
Download the following executable: NF68_P32.exe
Insert blank floppy disk into drive and run executable
Restart machine, and set floppy as the primary boot device
Press "Y" to program BIOS
After flash, power off PC completely, on reboot load defaults in BIOS
CD Method (Blank CD and CD Rewritable Drive Required)
Download the following .iso file: NF68_P32.iso
Use a CD Burning software to burn the .iso image onto a blank CD (Nero, Alochol 120%, etc)
Restart machine, and set the CD Drive as the primary boot device
The BIOS flash process will begin, Press “Y” to program BIOS
After flash remove the CD, power off PC Completely
Turn on the PC and load defaults in BIOS
Windows Installation - Alternate installation method
Before updating your BIOS, please load BIOS defaults by hitting the delete key during POST and select: “Load Defaults.” Now select “Save & Exit Setup.” After that has been completed please follow these instructions:
Download the following files: NVIDIA Update Center and NF68_P32.bin
Install the latest NVIDIA Update Center and run the program. (Use ONLY the above version, DO NOT use any previous version of NVIDIA Update Center.)
Once Update Center opens, Check the box “Clear CMOS” and then hit apply at the bottom right hand corner
Now select browse and locate NF68_P32.bin
Select load bios
After update center finishes, completely shutdown your system
Once the system is off, unplug your PSU and press the power button on the front of your case. (This will discharge the Motherboard.)
Wait 30-60 seconds to turn on or plug in your PSU and start up your system
Press "Delete" to once again enter the BIOS, and load defaults. Save and exit; your system BIOS is now updated.

This is a very good PSU:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817194022

ENERMAX INFINITI EIN650AWT ATX12V / EPS12V 650W Power Supply 100 - 240 V CE, FCC, cUL, TUV - Retail

$199.99
($179.99 after $20.00 Mail-In Rebate)

The minimum you are going to pay for a PSU to power both the Quad Core and the 8800 is @ $150 but very few at that price range actually specify "Quad Core Ready". But if you need to lower this price we can look further.


As to RAM:

This is what I have on mine. I have two sets of these equaling 4GB. I do note from the spec that it is 2.0 Volts but will verify it has worked fine for me. This is a VERY good price as well:

Kingston HyperX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820134125

$59.99