Was easier to understand the older stuff
We were saying the same thing when Socket 370 came out while we were used to Slot 1 Pentium IIs.

The above components will be the core of a nice system. For those graphics needs, if you can afford an 8800 card now (here's a good one, not top-shelf version but right up there) and avoid upgrading later, you'd save money in the long run. If money's tight now, go the 8600 route. Either way, you'll like the result.

In case you're wondering, the RAM I use in this system (the one in the Everest report) was GSkill. It torques me off that I paid twice as much for it just six months ago - and it was a deal THEN at $190 for a 2 x 1GB kit.