Putting together a PC

[nunchohai]

I want to build a stable high end gaming machine with some thought put in to cater to the future. I have an idea of what I want, but I would like to get some input to make sure I am on a good track. My budget is 2 or 3 thousand. I would like a dual core processor, preferably athlon and a full featured nvidia motherboard. 2+gb of memory. Overclocking potential is secondary to stability but if there is headroom thats great, maybe at some point I'll tinker a little 8)

Here is what I'm looking at so far:

video card $599.99
XFX Geforce 7950GX2 PVT71UZDL9 Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150161

or $734.99
XFX Geforce 7950GX2 PVT71UZDD9 XXX Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150159

HDD $274.99 (-40 rebate 234.99)
Western Digital Raptor 150GB 3.5" Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136012

CPU $632.00
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ 2000MHz HT Socket 939 Dual Core Processor - RETAIL
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103544

MOTHERBOARD $189.99
ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131568

MEMORY $190.50 (-40 rebate 150.50)
OCZ 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Dual Channel Platinum System Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227210

POWER SUPPLY $95.99
Antec TruePower 2.0 TP2-550 EPS12V 550W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103932

CASE $129.99
COOLER MASTER Wave Master TAC-T01-E1C Silver Case without Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811119023

2033.45

I have a sound card/dvd drive/keyboard/mouse/display already that I'm going to use and I have a largish HDD that I can use for bulk storage so 150gb should be adequate for OS and games. I'm not sure what I should use for heat dissipation. I have given some thought to going with liquid cooling but I not sure I'm brave enough to put something like that into my machine.

Few questions -

Am I limited to DDR 400 (PC 3200) when choosing a non socket am2 athlon processor?
Would there be a compelling reason to dive into am2 at this point?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Leonardo]

Am I limited to DDR 400 (PC 3200) when choosing a non socket am2 athlon processor? Would there be a compelling reason to dive into am2 at this point? Without a designed-for AM2 motherboard, yes, you will be limited to DDR(1). But you won't be limited to DDR 400. There is higher rated DDR, but I'm sure you know that anyway.

[nunchohai]

But you won't be limited to DDR 400. There is higher rated DDR, but I'm sure you know that anyway.

I think you give me too much credit :D Would there be any benefit to putting a higher speed rack into this specific MB/CPU combo? Looking at the MB specs it lists "DDR Standard DDR 400 (PC 3200)" is that not the maximum? Maybe I'm not following you. Are you referring to a different mb/cpu setup? If I can find a MB/CPU combo 939 socket that faster memory works with, I'd be all for that.

[Leonardo]

You can usually use a higher rated physical memory with a motherboard, but that wouldn't necessarily make your system faster unless you overclocked the CPU to take advantage of the faster RAM.

Would there be any benefit to putting a higher speed rack into this specific MB/CPU combo? Sorry, I'm afraid I don't know what you mean when you write "rack."

[nunchohai]

You can usually use a higher rated physical memory with a motherboard, but that wouldn't necessarily make your system faster unless you overclocked the CPU to take advantage of the faster RAM.

Sorry, I'm afraid I don't know what you mean when you write "rack."

Ok, I'm understanding you. I'm not focusing on overclocking, so the memory I have picked out should fit the bill then. I was referring to a memory module when I wrote rack, sorry for the confusion. Maybe my terminology is a bit old :-/ thanks for the replies.

[Leonardo]

That memory would fit in with the rest of your components beautifully! Great memory - good price.