Motherboards and Video Cards for gaming?

I am planning on building my first computer but I am haveing a hard time deciding on the right motherboard and video card. I am planning on using the Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 CPU and 2GB of RAM (for now. I would like to have the option to expand to 8 in the future). I would like a SLI compatable motherboard as well. I will be using the computer for homework, internet, and all of that kind of stuff, but it will be used mostly for gaming. I am willing to spend a decent amount of money on the motherboard but would like to keep the video card within reason (say around $150-$200 or so). Also I will probably not have the money to by both video cards at the same time so I would like to find one that works well both alone and in SLI. Oh, and one more question, correct me if I am wrong but SLI only works with nVidia chipsets? If that is true, how do nVidia chipsets compate to the Intel standard? Thanks for any help you can give me.|||Apparantly when he gave his "REAL" answer, he neglected to read the "REAL" question. This best video card you can get for $150 to $200 is this:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as… a 7900GS, while not the absolute best card out, still a very good card that I am sure you will be more than happy with.



As for motherboard, you do need an nVidia chipset motherboard to run SLI. nVidia chipsets work fine with Intel processors. Here is the problem, currently there is only one nVidia chipset that will support true full SLI, that is the nForce 590. The others will give you SLI, but the PCI Express slots will only run at 8x each, therefore not giving you the full bandwidth. nVidia is scheduled to release new chipsets next week, so you may want to take a look at those.



Here is what I would recommend however. Next year the new PCI Express specification is coming out, which will double the bandwidth of each slot. I would recommend just buying an inexpensive non SLI board now, and then upgrading to one of the new boards when they come out, especially since you don't plan on having two cards right now anyway.|||http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814170089



Nvidia G-force 6 or 7 series are the Best for gaming

if you want the Most bang for the Buck look for any Nvidia G-Force 6600GT cards in AGP or PCIE . They PWN for the Price|||Intel uses CROSSFIRE technoligy for 2 cards.|||You should try tigerdiect .It has everything for computers.|||Alright, heres a REAL answer.



Core 2 Duo is the best type of CPU on earth. You must compliment it with a good GPU. The GPU is ofcourse the MOST important piece of ur PC when it comes to gaming, and by FAR.



Current Generation cards that u can buy:



X1900XT 512MB - 275$

7900 GTO 512MB - 250$

or 7950 GX2 - 500$

These are the 2 best cards on earth and for the lowest price. GTO is known as the same card as the former "best" card but for a much lower price, and same goes for the XT.





Since the NEW Generation is right around the corner with the 8800 GTX/GTS, u should wait for those, or for the X2800 cards wich will come in Janurary.



8800 GTX - 650$

8800 GTS - 500$



The performance of the 8800 GTS is abt the same as the performance of the 7950 GX2, but the 8800 GTS is a DX10 card, meaning that has all of the new DirectX 10 features that will run in Windows Vista with the DX10 software.



Personally i think the X2800 series (RD600) from ATI will be even better than the 8800 series, so im going to wait for that, but if u want u can buy the 8800 GTX in a week when it will be launched.



-If u have any questions abt graphics cards, etc. Messege me.