New Pc - Need Help

[TheBaby]

Hi guys

Well I fianlly need a new PC my P 3 1GHZ is crashing on me all the time so I have to put some thing new together

The problem is I have been studying 3D the last few months and I am not up to date on all the latest and greates CPU's and MB's .... the last time I was researching for a new PC was when the 1.6a, Abit TH7II were the best bang for the buck. Even today I want the best bang for the buck so I would appreciate anyone tell me what currently is the best combo out there ... I dont care if its DDR or Rambus ... I just want the best bang for the buck ... and no I dont mean ' Mustang Ranch "

I am more interested in Intel than Amd. I have an XP server but I want the workstation to be Intel if at all possible .... so what combos should I look at

 

[acejj26]

P4 1.6A retail
Abit BG7 (with 6 channel sound, including bracket for optical connections, and a LAN port)
Samsung 512 MB PC2700
ATI Radeon 8500LE 64MB (250 core/275 mem)

all from newegg.com for $516 plus shipping

 

[microAmp]

If you are going to build a new one together because it's crashing, why not format first and make it stable again?