Buying a new CPU

[Spartan Mustang]

Three years ago I bought a brand new Dell with a pentium 4 1.8 ghz CPU. I am now in the begining phases of building a new computer. I have desided to move to AMD. I am leaning towards the AMD 3500+ . It is clocked at 2.2 ghz. I really dont want to buy a new CPU that is not at least twice as good as my old one. So my question is an AMD 3500+ twice as good as a 1.8ghz P4? Also any websites or books you can point me to on building a computer would also be great... Thanks

 

[MDE]

You'll see a very healthy jump going to the Athlon 64. For a guide, I know none better than mechBgon's walkthrough.