To be honest, I do not see a marked improvement by using DDR3 over DDR2. Machines today with 64 bit can handle up to 8 gigs of RAM. That is a lot of RAM and I suspect none of us will every use the full 8 gigs.
Multi-cores: IMO, multi-cores are a must. Vista is a huge hog but runs well if you feed the hog. Most consider Windows 7 just a Vista service pack (although Vista is getting a SP2 in a month or so). As far as Vista, I run it and it is stable. The headaches that it started two years ago are completely gone. I really enjoy Vista. Looking at Windows 7 and the packages MS plans on offering, I do not see much difference between Vista and 7.
http://www.vistax64.com/vista-news/2...announced.html
After reading this and seeing what 7 Premium has over my Vista Premium, I stick with Vista Home Premium and save my dollars. Anyway, 7 is a hog also so feeding the hog with multi-cores and plenty of RAM. Might as well make the plunge because XP will not last forever which is unfortunate but to be honest, after Vista, I find XP old and drab. I would probably think differently about XP if Vista was really that horrid and unstable. Also, two years ago MS stated and pushed "Vista Ready Computers" knowing full well these so called Vista Ready Computers were no where near powerful enough to run Vista and be Vista Ready. Currently MS is being sued and successfully to the tune of billions because these computers were not Vista Ready, made the Vista OS look like crap and unstable which it was. Just a bad mix and bad claims that sunk Vista from the word go that in all reality is unfounded for Vista. Just need to give it the power to run. Imagine if you would attempting to jog with you hand over your mouth. You would become unstable and crash also as you have no oxygen energy to keep on trucking.
In short, computer parts are very inexpensive right now. Building a rig to run for you over the next 5 years should be relatively inexpensive. You certainly do not need Alienware at $3500.00 or more to run upcoming games. I certainly recommend you stay way from the usual HP, Gateways, etc because of bloatware and other garbage the load you your drive. Not to mention, last time I looked at one (Christmas) these computers just looked and felt cheap.
Most importantly, do not shy away from Vista. Really, it ain't bad at all!
Anyway Subman1 nice board! What vid card are you thinking about getting?