vista is the way to go now. i've got an uncle that's a computer tech and builds servers for corporations and he advised me to get vista over any xp. plus, if you can spare an extra $100.00 usd, the following 780i mobo might be a better investment for the long run: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813188024 this way, you'll have 3x pci-e x16 slots, two of which are 2.0 compatible for future video card upgrades that can handle 3-way sli, like the new 9800s and GX2s. just a thought tho.