Opinion for new system

[ezzye23]

I am getting a new system and it will primarily be used for video/image editing and some gaming.
Need opinion on two configs I'm thinking about.
1. Pentium 4 3.6 Ghz
Asus P5AD2 Premium (I love the looks of this board)
PCI-E video card (maybe ATI x800 or x850, or NVIDIA 6800GT or Ultra)
2 GB DDR2 533 Ram

2. AMD 64 FX-55
Asus A8N-SLI
SLI cards (Nvidia 6800 GTs or Ultras when they are available)
2 GB DDR 400 Ram

Now several things I can't decide on. Is the difference in let's say DDR2 versus DDR that noticeable?
Are 2 PCI cards for SLI overkill/worth it?
Would one of these configs be that much better than the other or even noticeable?

Thank you for your time

 

[o1die]

Go with amd, but get the 3000 and overclock it. Ddram2 isn't used with amd systems. Their onboard memory controller doesn't need it. I would get a non-sli board. Sli is an expensive gimic that doesn't perform too well on some boards. Dfi will be out with new boards soon. Also, be sure to get a top rated power supply for your new rig. I like sparkle (fortron), antec, pcpower and cooling, and tagen. I use one with a side fan to remove heat away from the cpu. The single 12 or 14cm models are very quiet and move the most air.