I also have an NVidia 6600 and really like it. I've had about 4 NVidia cards and haven't had issues with any 3D apps (LW, Vue, Bryce, as well as compositing and editing software). I have used a couple of ATI cards and found that they each had issues with one app or another. Could have been poor model choices. As for drives, I also have had problems with Maxtor dives, although I "hear" that they are much better than they were. I've had great luck with Western Digital until just recently when I've had two failures within a couple of weeks within each other. It may not have been the drive's fault however; we have had issues with our power lately, (outages and probable spikes) and everything seems to be MUCH more solid since I bought a UPS. (That would make a great gift also). I'd also like to take this opportunity to say I want your wife. Mine gives me looks that could kill when I make any computer-related purchases, let alone encourging me to spend time researching components on the internet for Christmas gifts. If it's not for the yard or "home improvements" and I buy stuff for the computers I've learned to sleep with one eye open.