First time builder and i just want someones opinion and a little help. This is what i got

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 Processor BX80562Q6700 - 2.66GHz
Samsung Spinpoint T166 500GB Hard Drive - 7200
XFX GeForce 8800 GT Video Card
OCZ SLI-Ready Dual Channel 4096MB PC6400 DDR2
EVGA nforce 780i SLI Motherboard - A1 Version
Apevia Black/Black X-Plorer ATX Mid-Tower Case

Im a little iffy on the processor, the computer will be used for heavy gaming at weee hours of the night but mostly graphic design like photoshop, Flash, 3DS max and so on and even though its a quad its at 8mb cache and also does everything work well together?

Hi there,

Quad-core is overkill. Most programs and games won't use more than 2 cores. Thus I recommend you to buy a dual-core CPU and with the money you will save buy a faster video card. Nowadays 3D performance does not depend much on the CPU like in the past, i.e. the video card is the component that sets the 3D performance of your PC, not the CPU anymore.

Cheers,
Gabriel.

But i mean i will be running multiple programs at once around 4 to 5 and if you still think i should get a dual then what graphics card is good

Hi,

Running multiple programs has nothing to do with the number of cores the CPU has. All CPUs have a capability called multi-tasking, which is the ability to run more than 1 program at once. If your 5 programs can't recognize more than 1 CPU all of them will be running on the same CPU core, leaving all other CPU cores idle, doing nothing!

Cheers,
Gabriel.

Changed the setup

NZXT Apollo Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2477938&sku=A406-1069

Silverstone / Olympia / 650-Watt / ATX / SATA-Ready / PCI-E-Ready / Active PFC / Power Supply
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2929621&sku=S35-1150

Sony DRU190A 20X DVD Rewritable Drive
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3569869&sku=S167-4514

EVGA GeForce 9800 GX2 Video Card
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3830976&sku=E145-9820

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Processor
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3574211

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1TB Hard Drive
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3346290&sku=TSD-1000AS

XFX nForce 780i 3-Way SLI Motherboard
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3528165&sku=P450-9114

OCZ SLI-Ready Dual Channel 4096MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3404049&Sku=O261-8038

Then im adding Vista Home 64 bit, is it good?

Excellent setup, congratulations!

64-bit OS must be used only if you plan to install more than 4 GB RAM. It doesn't improve performance and lots of users are complaining about 64-bit drivers.

Cheers,
Gabriel.

I never thought about the drivers.

Gabriel, you have really been a HUGE help. Thank you.

you should get a small raptor drive to run your OS off of, and use the 1TB for light programs or as temp space...

I just find my xp runs better off a 80gb sata raptor and leaves room for all important programs well a 400gb drive stores and works as a temp

i think i got my 80gb raptor for about $80