New Build - advice welcome

[ricochet]

I last built a PC around 5-6 years ago. Time for a replacement.
I will be building a new PC to do music recording and editing.

Any advice on the following would be appreciated.
(I read some processor prices are dropping, any truth to that?)

Budget: Let's say $800 with some flexability (PSU, MB, CPU, RAM, HD)
Case: I'll pick one out (Don't include in Budget)

PSU: 500 watt
MB: (need at least 2 PCI slots for audio interface and video card)
CPU:
RAM: (2 GB should do it)
HD: 100 GB internal should be plenty (looking at NAS for capacity)

Video: No Need (Have a Matrox dual display PCI card which does plenty for my purposes)
Sound: No Need (I have a PCI based recording interface I use)

Advice on cooling would also be appreciated. Is stock cooling typically enough?
Also, this machine doesn't necessarily need to be upgradeable, if it's capable of doing the job now it should be all I need for the next 5-6 years as well.

Thanks ahead of time for all your input.

[DropPoint]

Is this build going to be AMD, or Intel?

[ricochet]

My last build was AMD, and it has performed quite well so I was leaning that way, I have read however that the Intel Duo Core are better performance for the price.

My lean is toward another AMD system, but I will listen to Intel suggestions as well.

[DropPoint]

[Edited:-* For AMD,The 5200+ is what I got.. Havent built it yet but its comming.. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103759 This is good, and cheap for the price.

I Also got this, CORSAIR is a great brand - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145590

Both free shipping :P

This Motherboard is compatible- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131022 But when I bought it, it as $92 It's got 3 PCI Slots

[chuck4456]

try this -

[ricochet]

Thanks for the input and links!

[blue60007]

Core 2 Duo prices are dropping in a couple weeks, so that might be worth the wait.

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=178916

The price drops should make a Core 2 build a heck of a deal.

[Katreat]

Intel definately gives the best bang for the buck and they are dropping prices. Also, the Core 2 Doe run substantially cooler and use less power than the older AMD and Intel chips so you dont have to worry as much about extra cooling. So, even if you dont plan to upgrade I would suggest you take a hard look at Intel before going AMD. It is just a much better and newer architecture. For an $800 budget without video card, I would look at the E6600 and you will be sitting pretty for years to come.