First build; got a sticky question

[roscoe46]

Hi, this is my 1st post here & I'd like to know if someone here
may be able to answer a question I've got.
In just a few weeks I'm going to try my 1st build, an SLI PC; I
think i can handle most of the assembly very easily; my problem
is my hard drive. I recently replaced it & paid to have XP Pro newly
installed, but I didn't get the disc, because I think it was an OEM
version. In the control panel under system there is a long # there
which I think is probably the product key #.

Will I be able to use my XP OS as is or will I probably have to do
a reformatt & afresh XP Pro install to get everything flying right?
My new system will be an XFX MOBO with Core 2 Duo E4500 & 2
gigs memory & XFX 8600 video card for now.
Any advice comments or help anyone can offer will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance
roscoe46 AKA Alfred

[RickyTick]

You're not planning on running 2 8600 cards in SLI, are you? :confused:

[The Wise Monkey]

You would need to reinstall XP - not a fresh install necessarily, but a repair install. To do this you would need the CD unfortunately.

[Jamie Nixx]

Yes you wouldn't be planning to do a stupid thing like SLi would you?

If you are, hold me back Ricky, a noob onslaught is coming :D

[RickyTick]

I'll hold him down. You can beat him. :D

[Jamie Nixx]

Sounds good, i'll do it with a pair of graphics cards as well so the message is loud and clear :D

[roscoe46]

Thanks for your replies. So, you don't think SLI is a good setup; ok
I'm open to other suggestions.
Here's what my shopping list looks like right now, all from Tigerdirect,
except the case.
1. eVGA E145-8620 GeForce 8600 GT 512mb DDR2 videocard - $115.00
2.mobo bundle XFX 680i LT & core2 duo E4500 - $220.00
3.Ultra x2 750 watt PS-ATX SLI ready power supply Ult #40121 - $100.00
4. OCZ SLI dual channel 2048 PC 6400 DDR2 800mgh 2x1024
pn# 0261-7054 memory - $80.00

I was also reading some other threads last night & it was mentioned
that nVidias chipsets are not that good for gaming & to look at the
intel P35's I believe it was; anyone care to comment or make
suggestions on this ?
I'm trying to build this PC on a budget of about $700. Am I doing this
right or can I build a better system with different parts & still stay
close to my projected cost.
If you should any ideas on parts & cost please make a list for me to
use as comparasions.
Thanks in advance & appreciate the help given so far.

roscoe46 AKA Alfred

[RickyTick]

The P35 chipset is much better option for building your own pc. The 680i is ok if you want to go SLI, but I wouldn't recommend it. Look for something like the Asus, Gigabyte, or Abit P35 boards.

The 750 watt psu is overkill. Check out the Corsair HX520.