New config - need suggestions

...because I haven't kept up with all the latest models of motherboards... and because I haven't built my own computer in a loooong time (I think the Athlon had just come out) ...and because I'm not going with a Dell at this time.... here is what I'm looking at:

-I'm getting DEMONSLAYER's old GEforce 8600GT-fatal1ty (2 for SLI).
-From that, I am partial to AMD, so I thought I would go with a Phenom 9850 Black Edition.
-fan?
-I'm also stuck on the mobo - does anyone have any preferences?
-I'm probably going with 4GB RAM and SATA drive, etc..
-and still not sure I really want Vista.

If you have a similar config (or a convincing argument for Intel - I'm not against it, just have a soft spot for AMD for incorporating some of the old DEC Alpha technology in the Athlon line) it would help me make a more informed decision. I'm not in a hurry, as I will be purchasing the components over 3 or 4 months.

On a side note: it is much easier to select technology standards for the enterprise!

Ok so you need a SLI board that will take an Phenom 9850 Black Edition.

4 gb ram, sata,

I think that I would go with something like this if I were making what you intend

Asus M3N-HD/HDMI Motherboard - NVIDIA nForce 750a SLI, Socket AM2+, ATX, Audio, HDMI, PCI Express 2.0, Hybrid SLI, S/PDIF, Firewire, USB 2.0, Serial ATA. RAID

I have no experience with this one but it gets pretty rocking reviews.

Thanks Griz! I had just looked at ASUS boards (on Newegg) but I dismissed this one only because I wasn't sure what "Hybrid SLI" meant or how it affected the cards I will have.

Thanks again

Hybrid SLI® technology, based on NVIDIA’s industry-leading SLI technology, delivers multi-GPU (graphics processing unit) benefits when an NVIDIA® motherboard GPU is combined with an NVIDIA discrete GPU. Hybrid SLI increases graphics performance with GeForce® Boost and provides intelligent power management with HybridPower™.

right from the Nvidia web page.

The 8600 gt is not on the list of hybrid enabled cards on the hybrid explanation page, but it is more advanced than some of the cards on the list.

HERE: http://www.nvidia.com/object/hybrid_sli_desktop.html

Grizzled_Imposter wrote:

Ok so you need a SLI board that will take an Phenom 9850 Black Edition.

4 gb ram, sata,

I think that I would go with something like this if I were making what you intend

Asus M3N-HD/HDMI Motherboard - NVIDIA nForce 750a SLI, Socket AM2+, ATX, Audio, HDMI, PCI Express 2.0, Hybrid SLI, S/PDIF, Firewire, USB 2.0, Serial ATA. RAID

I have no experience with this one but it gets pretty rocking reviews.

I agree...........get everything sata--both hard drives and optical drives so you will want at least 6 sata ports. However, remember that the 8600GTs are not Directx 10. As to the CPU fan, there have been posts on the latest cooling fans. I have a Zalman 9500, but there are better ones out there. NO VISTA!!!!!!

See my posts on my computer at http://www.disastrousconsequences.com/dcforum/posts/list/2695.page

and other posts at http://www.disastrousconsequences.com/dcforum/posts/list/3624.page

I agree...........get everything sata--both hard drives and optical drives so you will want at least 6 sata ports. However, remember that the 8600GTs are not Directx 10. As to the CPU fan, there have been posts on the latest cooling fans. I have a Zalman 9500, but there are better ones out there. NO VISTA!!!!!!

I thought that they were direct X 10???

Here is the quote:

VIDIA's Unified Architecture GeForce 8 Series GPUs - First to Support Microsoft DirectX 10 Games and Applications.

NVIDIA® GeForce® 8 series graphics processing units (GPUs) redefine the PC gaming experience. With a revolutionary unified architecture and full support for Microsoft® DirectX® 10 games, GeForce 8 series GPUs deliver unprecedented performance, extraordinarily detailed environments, and film quality game effects.

From: http://www.nvidia.com/page/geforce8.html

Of course I agree with the no vista for gaming, so direct x 10 support is out anyway

Grizzled_Imposter wrote:

I agree...........get everything sata--both hard drives and optical drives so you will want at least 6 sata ports. However, remember that the 8600GTs are not Directx 10. As to the CPU fan, there have been posts on the latest cooling fans. I have a Zalman 9500, but there are better ones out there. NO VISTA!!!!!!

I thought that they were direct X 10???

Here is the quote:

VIDIA's Unified Architecture GeForce 8 Series GPUs - First to Support Microsoft DirectX 10 Games and Applications.

NVIDIA® GeForce® 8 series graphics processing units (GPUs) redefine the PC gaming experience. With a revolutionary unified architecture and full support for Microsoft® DirectX® 10 games, GeForce 8 series GPUs deliver unprecedented performance, extraordinarily detailed environments, and film quality game effects.

From: http://www.nvidia.com/page/geforce8.html

Of course I agree with the no vista for gaming, so direct x 10 support is out anyway

So much for me knowing what I have..............

Thank you Griz and DS!

Grizzled_Imposter wrote:

I agree...........get everything sata--both hard drives and optical drives so you will want at least 6 sata ports. However, remember that the 8600GTs are not Directx 10. As to the CPU fan, there have been posts on the latest cooling fans. I have a Zalman 9500, but there are better ones out there. NO VISTA!!!!!!

I thought that they were direct X 10???

Here is the quote:

VIDIA's Unified Architecture GeForce 8 Series GPUs - First to Support Microsoft DirectX 10 Games and Applications.

NVIDIA® GeForce® 8 series graphics processing units (GPUs) redefine the PC gaming experience. With a revolutionary unified architecture and full support for Microsoft® DirectX® 10 games, GeForce 8 series GPUs deliver unprecedented performance, extraordinarily detailed environments, and film quality game effects.

From: http://www.nvidia.com/page/geforce8.html

Of course I agree with the no vista for gaming, so direct x 10 support is out anyway

So much for me knowing what I have..............

actually, from what you have posted you have a very fast rig!

Thank you. So far, it has handled everything I've thrown at it thus far, including Crysis.