Let me try this again...

[Scottler]

Okay everyone.  I've read your replies, and I've taken your advice into consideration.

How about this setup?  Would this be any better?

- Gigabyte GA-8IPE775 G  Motherboard
- Intel Pentium-4 Processor 540 3.4 GHz
- Hyper-Threading Technology
- Dual Channel DDR memory support
- Built-in 6 Channel Audio
- 8X AGP and 5xPCI slots
- Eight USB 2.0 Ports, 3 ports IEEE1394
- 2 Serial ATA 150 and ATA133 Controllers
- Marvell 8001 (GIGABIT) LAN
- SATA 150MB/s data transfer rate w/RAID 0/1
- ATX Mid Tower 420 Watt Case

Then it would just be a matter of finding the perfect card to put in there.  I can keep my existing gig of RAM, which would give me a little extra leverage with the wife.  lol  (j/k btw...she's awesome when it comes to my frivalous spending!)

[congo]

With this CPU, or faster?

Intel Socket 775 Pentium 4 640 3.2G/800/2M Prescott HT EIST EM64T XD C

Can you find a mainboard with that chipset and PCIe instead of 5 PCI slots and AGP?

Or do you need the 5 PCI slots for some reason?

[Scottler]

With this CPU, or faster?

Intel Socket 775 Pentium 4 640 3.2G/800/2M Prescott HT EIST EM64T XD C

Hmm?  The one I listed is a 3.4  How do you mean?

As for PCIe v. AGP, I could prolly find one with PCIe, I'm just not sure if that's the way I want to go or if I'd rather stick with AGP.

I'll look around and see what I can find.

[GunnerMan]

Its 3.4 but look at the model 640 compared to 540, the 640 has a 2 Mb L2 Cache and is 64 bit ready you are going to see better performance from the bigger cache than 200 more Mhz. PCI-E WILL take over AGP in the VERY near futre and as far as I see it AGP is a very bad investment you could make right now, why PCI-E? More power, Bandwith, and it will take over AGP. What does AGP have going for it: The way of the dinosaurs. Please don't buy things that will be obsolete in a matter of months AGP is not the way to go if you want any really good upgrade possibilities.

[congo]

Its 3.4 but look at the model 640 compared to 540, the 640 has a 2 Mb L2 Cache and is 64 bit ready you are going to see better performance from the bigger cache than 200 more Mhz. PCI-E WILL take over AGP in the VERY near futre and as far as I see it AGP is a very bad investment you could make right now, why PCI-E? More power, Bandwith, and it will take over AGP. What does AGP have going for it: The way of the dinosaurs. Please don't buy things that will be obsolete in a matter of months AGP is not the way to go if you want any really good upgrade possibilities.

What he said!

[the_autopilot]

Go with the 640. Its intel's 2nd to best CPU behind the extreme editions.

[Scottler]

Budget isn't too much of a concern, as long as it's reasonable.  (I'm not poor, but I'm very cheap.  lol)

I'll look at your suggestions and modify from there.  Thanks!  You guys are a tremendous help!

[imchief]

hyperion,

maybe we should swap shoes.  I am poor being that i'm in the Marine Corps and married.  since your cheap i'll give you my budget and you can give me yours.  I think that would alieviate both our problems.  lol.  

[Scottler]

Seeing as how you're a Marine, it's tempting!  lol

Ooh rah.