So, I took the plunge, acquired an i7/X58 (MSI Eclipse), a couple of WD300GB Velociraptors, and a psu that will probably cause a brown out in New Jersey. Can't make up my mind about a video card(s). This will be a Linux box so nVidia chipset cards should be easier to incorporate, or have been in my limited experience. GeForce 200 series? Thanx in advance for your opinions. "I don't want the labor pains, just give me the baby" Willy Banks (Al Pacino)-Ocean's 13

"and a psu that will probably cause a brown out in New Jersey" A PSU only puts out as much wattage as a system needs so even you have a 10,000W Super PSU, if your system only needs 400W, that's all it will produce. See myth #1: http://www.pcpower.com/technology/m... As for the video card choice, you're going all out on everything else, so why not waste some more more on a couple of GeForce GTX 280's...lol. Make sure your Eclipse is the SLi version. "If my answers frighten you then you should cease asking scary questions" - Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) in Pulp Fiction

Errr, that was supposed to be a joke I'd bet. Depends on the amount of support. Windows is the best supported. Linux and it's various window managers and things like Compwiz may or may not (most likely not) be fully supported. Also depends on how much compiling you want to try. You'd be better off with checking linux forums for that. See also bug reports and other error searches. "Best Practices", Event viewer, host file, perfmon, antivirus, anti-spyware, Live CD's, backups, are in my top 10

Gentlemen, Thank you for your responses. I value your opinions and intend to pursue both. The 280's were my first choice and I consider Jam's condemnation of my wasteful pursuit an endorsement. I still prefer Linux over pM$, but will proceed with caution. BTW, "and a psu that will probably cause a brown out in New Jersey", was a subtle attempt at humor. Perhaps I should have said, "Rhode Island" "I don't want the labor pains, just give me the baby" Willy Banks (Al Pacino)-Ocean's 13