Ok, so I'm new to all this. Here's my build:

Case: $160
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16811124123

Motherboard: $230
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16813131224

Video Card: $350
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16814130072

Processor: $240
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16819103249

PSU: $160
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16817703009

RAM: $170
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16820134430

HDD: $70
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16822144701

DVD-Drive: $30
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16827248008

TOTAL PRICE: $1410

Does anyone have any recommendations? I'm aiming for the best I can build right now, because I'm a heavy PC Gamer and most of the games out now I have to run at low settings to get them to run fine. Is all of this compatible? Also, is there anything being under-utilized in this build, like can the Motherboard not utilize the full power of the RAM, or can it use better RAM?

I'm really striving for the most powerful gaming rig (not counting SLI-ing at the moment, although leaving that as an option would be nice). I'd like it to be SLI-capable for future upgrades, and be the fastest processor at a reasonable price (I don't want to pay over $1000 for a .5GHz/per core increase).

Thanks for any help you guys (and gals) can offer:)

Go 4 Intel Q6600 and a board supporting DDR2 with either an Nvidia 780 chipset for sli or an Intel X38 for crossfire/single powerful Nvidia card.

Go for the 9800GTX(same price as 8800).

Go for the Antec 900 case.

Your PSU choice is solid.

Get G.Skill ram... everything else is fine.

The only things I would comment on are the following:

Mobo / CPU is an AMD setup. I personally like Intel.

I'd probably go with a 780i mobo and a q6600 or a penryn Q9450 (when more become available). But if you are set on AMD, that mobo / cpu setup is decent.

I'd also suggest spending another 20-30 bucks for a 500GB HD over a 250GB

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010150014+50001306+1035407760+1035507776+1035915133&name=SATA+3.0Gb%2fs or something similar

If you're going to use a 64-bit OS, i'd get 4GB of ram. If not, stick with the 2GB. But stick with a speed of 1066 or 1200 MHz if possible.

Also, I feel that a better video card alternative is the 8800 GTS 512mb G92 card. It performs better than the 8800gtx in a lot of benchmarks, uses a little less energy, and doesn't get as hot.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143119

or maybe

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130337

Just watch for the sales on clubit.com or newegg. Hope that helped.

To be honest, Intel is a better choice right now.  But if you want to go AMD, go for it.  That CPU ain't no pushover by any means, but similarily priced Intel alternative usually outperform it.

I actually think the 8800GTX is a good graphics card at that price.  The 9800GTX often outperforms it, but not every time.  It has more memory, so why not go for the 8800 if they are approximately the same price?  The 8800GTS 512mb cards that Willard recommended are still the best choices imo.  Performs almost as good as 8800GTX (and every once in a while better) and costs less.