I am building a new system(core 2 duo), and have been researching a lot about motherboards. I am only firmiliar with amd's because they have been the performance champs.

First of all, is the p965 chipset the best for overclocking?
Which P965 should I get?

I don't care about SLI, raid, or any other features really. I just want a realiable, stable overclokcing board. I want to push the e6300 as far as it will go. I will be using a 7800gt and the system is for gaming.

Venice 3000+ 278 x 9 = 2500mhz
A8N-SLI-Deluxe Flashed to Premium
2 x Corsiar ValueRam DDR400 @DDR266
Gigabyte 6600gt @590/1180

Generally, the 975X chipset actually edges out the P965 based "Conroe" motherboards as far as overclocing is concerned, however the much newer 680i chipset outmuscles both of them, but it will cost considerably you more and may not be worth it.

With the P965 chipset go for Gigabyte's GA-965P-DS3 or the cheaper GA-965P-S3 if you do not really care for the all-solid cap design on the DS3. And if you prefer the 975X and do not mind spending a bit more, go with the P5W DH Deluxe from ASUS.

Thanks, everyone seems to like the DS3 except for Tom's Hardware. That is my number one choice right now.

If I wanna hit 3.0 Ghz on air, is a ZALMAN CNPS9500 LED overkill? Is an Arctic Cooling Freezer Pro 7 good enough?

Venice 3000+ 278 x 9 = 2500mhz
A8N-SLI-Deluxe Flashed to Premium
2 x Corsiar ValueRam DDR400 @DDR266
Gigabyte 6600gt @590/1180

Considering price/performance, I'd go with the $25 Arctic Cooling Freezer Pro 7.

On the hand, for the additional $60 that the ZALMAN CNPS9500 will cost - you are more than better off getting an E6400 and using Intel's stock cooler.

On the *other* hand...