N00bs new install on new home built machine

[mydogmutt]

Hi
I'm wanting to install gentoo on my pc but I'm alittle worried about getting the install right.
The reason is that I've tried evey live dvd that I have and none can get me to a working gui.
I subscribe to Linux format magazine so I have quit a few to chose from. Anyway my worry is that my pc
won't have drivers for it's hardware. I really doubt this, the machine hardware isn't cutting edge but it's up there.
Well that's what my wallets says anyway. I'm fine with working on the command line but just want any advice
on getting everything working right.
Thanks I'm looking forward to getting gentoo on this machine.

here's my pc specs
1 x Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz 6M 1.33GHz LGA775 (cpuine8400)
Asus Maximus Formula Intel X38 Socket T (LGA775) ATX Motherboard
XFX nVidia GeForce 8800GT PV-T88P-YSF4 Zalman Black PCB 512MB
PCI-Express Video Card *Dual DVI *HDTV-Out
1 MB00119
1 x Corsair TWIN2X2048-8500C5DF XMS Dominator DDR2-1066 2GB Kit
Silverstone Strider ST85F 850W Modular-Plug ATX12V Power Supply Retail
1 x Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB 7200RPM 16MB SATAII WD5000AAKS
x Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz 6M 1.33GHz LGA775 (cpuine8400)
Asus Maximus Formula Intel X38 Socket T (LGA775) ATX Motherboard
XFX nVidia GeForce 8800GT PV-T88P-YSF4 Zalman Black PCB 512MB
PCI-Express Video Card *Dual DVI *HDTV-Out
1 MB00119
1 x Corsair TWIN2X2048-8500C5DF XMS Dominator DDR2-1066 2GB Kit
Silverstone Strider ST85F 850W Modular-Plug ATX12V Power Supply Retail
1 x Western Digital Caviar SE16 500GB 7200RPM 16MB SATAII WD5000AAKS

[cwr]

Linux Format pretty much covers the waterfront on Live DVDs. If _none_ of them
will install, I doubt that a Gentoo install will be straightforward. Do the Live DVDs
actually boot to a GUI, or is it an installation problem? If they won't even boot to
a GUI, something odd is going on with your video card, and that's the direction to
look in. If they will boot but not install, then I'd start looking at the disk drivers.

Good luck - Will