Hey guys... So after running on a socket 939 4000+, ATI x800, an some mismatched ram on a ASUS A8RMVP-32 Deluxe Edition... I've decided its time for a bit of an upgrade after I sell my paintball gun...

I'm looking at going with:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz - 274.99

EVGA 122-CK-NF68-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - 219.99

mushkin 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) - 93.99

COOLER MASTER Stacker 830 Evolution Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case w/ Real Power Pro 1000W Power Supply - 379.99

Now the part that i'm looking for some advice... The GPU..

I'm real interested in getting one of the new EVGA 8800GTS(G92) -
Newegg.com - EVGA 512-P3-N841-A3 GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

My only concern is that its PCI-Ex16 2.0... Will that work with the EVGA Board even though it doesnt have PCI-Ex16 2.0? Or does the board need to have PCI-Ex16 2.0 Also... I'll be using this as my main computer, but foremost my Gaming rig. If I cant use the new 8800GTS(G92) what else would you guys suggest?

I've already got hard drives and stuff that I have on my current PC that i'll be reusing, so i'd like to keep the rest of the build right around $12-1400

I've thought about going the AMD Phenom/ATI route but the Intel/Nvidia route just seemed better price/performance wise. Lemme know what you guys think, and any suggestions are very appreciated.

Thank in advance

Coke

PCI-E 2.0 is backwards compatable with regular PCI-E 16X. But if you want to utalize its full potential, you might want to go with one of these boards...

Newegg.com - ASUS P5E LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Its Asus, very stable, very overclockable. What else do you need?

Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-X38-DS4 LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Almost same thing but Gigabyte

Newegg.com - ABIT IX38 Quad GT LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Abit flavor

about $50 more than the board you want, but its probrably woth it
Newegg.com - XFX MB-N780-ISH9 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI Intel Motherboard - Retail
Full Tri-SLI PCI-E 2.0 support. Imagine 3 of those G92s on that

Just a few suggestions

There is no card at the moment that actually needs PCI-E 2.0's increased bandwidth, so don't worry about it. It is also completely backwards compatible with PCI-E 1.

Instead of that EVGA 680i motherboard, have a look at some Intel P35 or X38 boards if you don't intend SLi. They are better overclockers and more stable.

The 8800GTS 512mb is a very capable card, but not a big improvement on the 8800GT 512mb, so if you want to save some cash get one of those.

Also, check out this thread:

http://forums.pcapex.com/hardware_ad...post1062221226

Thanks U8312 - I'll be looking at that XFX more closely. I want to stick with SLI boards for the chance that I MAY go SLI in the future... It's nice to know that the PCI-E 2.0 is backwards compatible so i just may stick with the EVGA board as i've been reading some awesome reviews. Then again.. The XFX sounds pretty sweet too... Ah the options!

Thanks for the info though

Woops.. Didnt see your post Reflux! Thanks for that link! Lotta good stuff on there

Muchos Gracias