For now, a 1.X GHz TBird is a MUCH better choice.
It will outperform the P4 in damned near anything, & costs 1/3 what a P4 does. Plus DDR motherboards will be available next month, most likely. P4 will blossom once it tops 2 GHz, until then it's still in beta as far as I'm concerned.
Viper GTS