First-Time Builder, above-average home-computing build (Critique Please!)

[gldtiamat]

1 x Thermaltake Purepower W0100RU ATX 12V 2.0 500W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153052
1 x Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home Premium for System Builders Single Pack DVD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116204
2 x OCZ Platinum Revision 2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2P800R22GK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227139
1 x ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134
1 x Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Conroe 2.66GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6750
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115029
1 x MSI NX8600GTS-T2D256E-OC GeForce 8600GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127284
2 x Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136074
1 x MSI P6N SLI Platinum LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130081
1 x LIAN LI PC-60BPLUSII Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112100
1 x Pioneer 18X DVD±R DVD Burner Black E-IDE/ATAPI Model DVR-112D - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827129007

Total Cost: $1,156 - $135 (Rebates) = $1,021 Before Taxes

I think I'm going to get a 20" wide LCD max, and this computer will mainly be used for leisure, VERY light and casual gaming, and mainly watching Anime (I'm a nerd =\).

The reason why I'm getting an SLI mobo is because I want to be able to upgrade it for gaming if I so desire (right now I'm in grad school, so I really WANT to game, but I think I'll have to hold off until I graduate).

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated, so...yep. Also, I'm a first-time builder, but I have two friends who are avid enthusiasts that are helping me out.

 

[Dangman]

SLI is only needed if you have 24"+ monitor or want to game at anything higher than 1920 x 1200. Also, SLI is only needed if there is no single card that offers the performance that you want. There are plenty of cards out there that perform the same or faster than two 8600GTS in SLI.

Now you're probably thinking "I'll just buy one card now and that same card later. That'll give me a serious performance boost." That's a waste of money. At most you'll see a 20 -30% increase when you buy that second card. Most likely by the time you buy that second card, it'll either be A) no longer be available for sale by most retail outlets, B) be outperformed by a newer card for the same or cheaper price, or C) all of the above.

With that said, that mobo you chose is good choice if you want two IDE ports. However, if you don't even need an IDE port, I recommend going with a P35 based mobo instead. They're a bit more stable and run cooler than the 650i based mobos. Here's a few recommendations:
Abit IP35-E Intel P35 Motherboard - $86
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L Intel P35 Motherboard - $98
Abit IP35 Intel P35 Motherboard Motherboard - $124
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R Intel P35 Motherboard - $130

Just to help you out: If you don't need RAID, more than 4 SATA ports or legacy ports, then the IP35-E is a good choice. If you need legacy ports, than the DS3L. If you need firewire and RAID, than the IP35. If you don't need firewire but want 8 SATA ports, RAID, and legacy ports, than the DS3R is a good choice.

Also, ditch that Thermaltake PSU. The only good line of Thermaltake PSUs come from their Toughpower line. And remember that you shouldn't skimp on the PSU in terms of quality. A dead or dying PSU could/will take out the rest of your system. I recommend any of these PSUs instead:

Enhance ENP-5150GH 500W PSU - $69
Corsair VX550 550W PSU - $91
Corsair HX520 520W PSU - $104

Also, that Lian Li case might be a little noisy since it only has a 80mm fan for the rear. If you like the case, go for it but if you want a case with a little quiet, make sure it mostly uses 120MM fans for the Rear exhaust and front intake.

Oh here's a much cheaper set of RAM:
G.SKILL F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ 2 x 1GB DDR2 800 RAM - $66

Are you planning to overclock?

 

[thrawn86]

with games like they are now, I really wouldn't even recommend *trying* to game on less than an 8800gts or its ati equivalent. Hell, wait a week and pick up an 8800gt for 250$ and you'll be set for quite awhile. for reference, my x1800xt (2 years old or so) outperforms that 8600 by around 75% in most instances, and I bought it used for less than the 8600 is selling for now.

 

[stueyG]

You might want too consider an Antec Sonata 3 case - its a fairly quiet little unit, and the cooling and PSU is perfectly adequate for your setup (also has good reviews). It also looks really quite nice, is a decent box too work in, and has a front eSATA port (and 2 USB + audio jacks). I got it from Frys for $110 ($140 - $30 rebate) - I'm sure you can find it somewhere online for a reasonably competitive price - certainly save you a few bucks on your current case + psu setup.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129024

As people have already said - unless you want too invest in 2x8800's then an SLI mobo is largely a waste of money, especially if your planning on SLI'ing lower end cards like 8600's. Your better off getting a nice single slot option than an okay 2 slot one.

The DS3R is a really nice board, 8 SATA ports and a similar number (either 6 or 8) USB ports on the back are really nice and generally the board is well laid out (although the front Audio header is in a really dumb place).

A SATA dvd burner would probably be a solid investment (I got 2 for $30 shipped each on a newegg promo code) - having IDE cables running all over your case is so 90's

An aftermarket CPU cooler isn't necessary either - the one that comes with C2D's isn't that great, but unless your planning too overclock theres nothing wrong with it.

 

[gldtiamat]

Alright, I can definitely respect the opinions on the mobo, etc.

The reason I was getting something SLI compatible was because in the future, I'm not too sure what I want to do with the system, and I know that the 650i is a capable board, and would allow me to go beyond whatever build I would currently have. But honestly, I doubt I'd ever use the SLI stuff...so I probably should stick with a single card board. I was just thinking if the prices were the same (the 650 Platinum is actually cheaper than the the last Gigabyte after rebate, why not go with the SLI compatible board?). Heh...

The 8600GTS was just to tide me over for now, where I don't really need something too fantastic considering my needs. I'm honestly not sure how much gaming I'm going to be doing. In Law School for the next three years, so...yeah, lol.

As for the case...do you guys know of anything simple and not too flashy? I'm just looking for something quiet and efficient, without all the crazy LED lights and stuff that makes a computer look...well...crazy. Also not a big fan of doors...I just get annoyed, lol

And not planning to overclock. Mainly using it for media + POSSIBLY gaming. With that in mind, that's why I was thinking I can overlook the supposed release of the 8800GT and go with an 8600GTS.