OK, my CFO (I call her ma'am and my children call her mom), has tentatively approved some upgrades to my system (so I can upgrade hers with my left over components.  I have somethings I am keeping, but other things I need guidance on.

The video card I am thinking of getting is the EVGA 512-P3-N879-AR GeForce 9800 GTX+  (Cannot believe it is almost $200 less than the 8800 GTS SSC version I bought in late December 2007)

I have 6 GB of DDR2 800 RAM sitting around so I am going to put 2 in my CFO's PC and keep 4 for mine.  I don't want to have to by more memory, so I need to be able to use this.

I am looking for advice on motherboards.  I am thinking about the [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131255]ASUS Striker II Formula LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i[url], but worry because of reports I saw that it runs hot on the northbridge.

Cheaper would be better, but the prices on these items (through NewEgg) are agreeable to me (and the CFO).

Comments, suggestions, thoughts?  Any feedback would be appreciated.

About 6 months from now you might wish you had gotten a gtx 260 for a few bucks more. When you buy graphics cards they often offer a few game and free shipping. I like the best of the Asus line, also. Look for changes in price. They just can't sell all of these cards that have already been manufactured.
Whatever you do Newegg is the way to go. Often times tiger is acceptable but I prefer Newegg. As far as the ram goes 800 isn't much different than 1066 or 1333. Check the specs over real, real thoroughly. Hope my 2 cents worth isn't like the market.

The 260 is only about 50$ more than the 9800gtx, I would go with that but like Wes said check the specs and compare prices real good like.

If you read the comments on that mobo you have there, theres a lot of issues, I like the XFX brand, heres practically the same board, except a bit better and cheaper.

XFX NVIDIA nForce 790i
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813141009


Here are a couple of video cards that are both cheaper and are at least equivalent to performance to the one you selected

XFX GeForce GTS 250 512mb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150365

XFX GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512mb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150314

XFX GeForce GTS 250 1Gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150356



They all run around 140$ and comes with free copies of cod5, but honestly I would shell out the 200 and get something that will last twice as long, like this...

XFX GeForce GTX 260 896mb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150361

Also, you didn't mention if you had a strong PSU to run these cards, they all pretty much require a minimum of 500 watts, so dont forget that.

Thanks, everyone, for the feedback.

STRAND: I'd like to go with that XFX motherboard, but it doesn't look like it will support my memory (at least, not that I could find on the product site).

However, I am considering the more current version video card (the 260).  The prices are just to close to pass up, I think.

Also, I looked at XFX, but have never bought from them.  Always went ASUS for video and aBit (until they collapsed) for motherboards.  Went to EVGA for my last video card.

Thanks again.

EDIT: My PSU is a 700W unit.

yea, i like xfx for vid cards, they always come with free games and there pretty good quality

Dude get a GIGABYTE board at new egg for 100 bucks and get a GTX285 and you will see a better performance over the 790i and a 9800GTX...you are spending too much on a buggy board and not enough on a GRFX card (Which along with the processor is what carries your system)..Also EVGA all the way!...thats my two cents.I have a gigabyte board and a evga gtx 285 I get 197 to 200 fps on cod5 with all settings MAXXED full AA and EXTRA texture 1900x1200 resolution!

Hey Guys this all good info which I am taking notes on as I will probably be upgrading or buying a new system soon.

Hey, guys:
I Thought about everyone's input and suggestions.  I did a little looking and comparing and now I thinking I will get the following:

Motherboard: ASUS P5Q-E

It was commented that I shouldn't blow a lot on the motherboard.  When I thought about it, they are right.  There is no need to put a mint into the motherboard.  So, I decided on this one as it is an improvement on the old one and almost $100 less than the one I was going to get.  Also, no baggage (read: problems) that the other nForce 7 series boards have had).

Video Card: EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275

Most everyone said I should bump up on the video card.  After looking and doing price comparisons, I agree.  But when I saw that the GTX 260 I was looking at and this version of the GTX 275 were only about $10 apart, I figured the jump was worth the money.

So, before I commit, does anyone know of reasons these are bad choices?  Any personal experiences or reviews or other input?

My CFO only gets agreeable every so often for this sort of thing, so I have to make the most of it  

This is a REAL nice mobo/grfx card combo..you will LOVE that set-up! (so long as you dont have a pitiful CPU to bottleneck the whole system)!!...You are looking good now!

Ok guys since Smacky's and Doby's post it's had me thinking . So I am really going to upgrade also. Currently I am running an Intel Core 2 Duo 2.66 GH with a Nvidia 8600 gt graphics card and  2 G of ram.  Screen is a Viewsonic  21" LCD. Using a G15 keyboard (don't know how to maximise its use though) and a MS sidewinder Mouse (has extra buttons that don't seem to work or I am useless at binding them).
I've had this system for about 12 months.
The specs on the new rig (haven't ordered yet as would like feedback from  my BK mates in the know) is as follows:  Oh by the way I am not a hard core gamer like some of you guys.  

CPU Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 (3.16GHz/1333FSB/6MB/LGA775
Motherboard: ASUS PSQ - Pro (intel P45/LGA775/DDR2?ATX
RAM: Kingston 4GB kit (2x2GB) DDR2 PC-8500  1066Mhz
HARD Drive: WD Caviar Black 3.5" 1TB 7200 rpm  32MB SATA
LCD Monitor: Samsung 23" Wide 5ms 1,000:1
Case: CoolerMaster Centurion 5   460W PSU
Graphics Card: Sapphire ATI Radeon  HD4850  512MB  DDR3  PCI Express 2.0
DVD: Pioneer DVR 217BK  20x DVD+- RW SATA

Total build price:  AUS $ 1,760.00

Any feedback would be appreciated.

DiggerBaz

First off..I hate to say it cuz I was a ATI guy for years BUT they cant hang anymore...get a nvidia card...also what kind of PSU would you be using Smacky cuz you'll need a nice one to power a 275...and Digger your PSU will limit you alot as well bro!

I agree on the PSU.  Don't skimp, buy a good one with plenty of juice.  I don't bother with any less than 600W nowadays.  I'm a fan of Antec, CoolerMaster and OCZ.  2x or 3x 12V rails for those power hungry vid cards and drives.

My existing PSU is a 700W OCZ.  Pretty rock solid, so I think it will hang with the new upgrades.

Have to agree with Seattle on the ATI cards.  Tried one a while back...ended up selling it and buying myself a good nVidia.  Have never been dissapointed in an nVidia card.

Well as all of you know, my computer actually burnt up, Ive smelt better popcorn and liver, its bad, well I do not have a computer with TS or COD at this time, I must say I didnt know my setup would be this intresting, I hope I do not have any problems with this. Iwould take seattle advice and go with nvidia though, and thanks again to BK for helping me decide to build on, my Kon-puter will be ready Tues. or Wed. I hope I will be back online tearing lids off, but in the meantime good luck to you all and hope all is good....