best ''Tricked out'' PC config?

[hotstepper]

This summer I plan on building a tricked out PC for 3D apps! Recommendations anyone on the Graphics card, AMD/Intel? Anything to watchout for and possible pitfalls.
Primarily I am using Adobe products, Photoshop, Illustrator and am adding Maya and Zbrush to my repertoire.
I know this is a volatile subject as everyone has their fav's but I am open to advice.

[knightsilver]

Go with Intel's Conroe CPU (CORE 2 DUO w/4MB cache)
QUADRO 1500 and if ya need cheaper go with Quadro 560
As much ram as you can afford.

If your using Premiere or AF go with 2 SATA2 harddrives in RAID 0.
thanks,
shane c.

[pappu]

i would say 64 bit dual core , dual processor AMD prefered coz of perfomance for the price we pay, witha minumum of 4gb of ram, 512 mb graphic card quardo prefered, SATA2 harddrives... u'll find a difference in the perfomance with such a config. but to get the most out of such config u should b usin 64bit programmes like softimage...

lets hope soon maya, max n all the softwares shift to 64bit

[knightsilver]

Core2 is 64bit/dualcore and look at Intels $$$ roadmaps.

[hotstepper]

This is what I have planned so far Asus A8N 32-SLI-D Motherboard, AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+, 2GIGS RAM. I am leaning to nVidia Graphics card, probably the NVIDIA Quadro FX3000. With case, and other stuff I am at $1600-1650.
I don't know much about Conroe and I am sure it is capable but reading alot on the web is leading me to favor AMD even though the price advantage has narrowed I believe it still is the best bang for $$.
Anyone has any suggestions on graphics cards I would like to hear from the ATI group.

[knightsilver]

compare this,
http://www.pny.com/products/quadro/fx/1500PciEx.asp
to the 3000, the 1500 has a 7900 series GPU and 256mb,
thanks,
shane c.

[hotstepper]

I looked at the 1500 first but somehow when I did a search the 3000 came up at a better price but today I can no longer find it.
Thanks