Attention more tech-savvy readers of this LJ:

I need to builds me a new computer.

I'm looking for any suggestions or advice you might have.

Parts that MUST be replaced: CPU, mobo, memory.

Part that I will almost certain replace: Graphics card.

I also intend to pick up a small SATA drive for complicated reasons; namely, I don't have a clean drive to install Vista on. I have two drives I'm nowhere near filling, but both have data on them I'm unwilling to format over, and my computer is such that it bluescreens over any significant data transfer. If I can overcome this I will, but right now I can't cleanly format either of them. I also am given to understand that with serial architecture it's a reasonable performance increase to have Windows on a drive separate from program data.

Specifications:

I prefer AMD processors, but only as a personal preference; I could be swayed if offered sufficient evidence. The core I'm looking at currently is a PhenomIIx4 @ 3.4GHz. Intel processors for the same price seem to be substantially slower. I may be misinterpreting the data, though.

The motherboard type will be determined by the processor type.

Memory will probably be 2x2GB, but can vary depending on price and requirements. Thus far I've found 4GB to meet my needs, which I don't anticipate will greatly increase with a new rig. My experience is that the processor is currently the bottleneck for my programs.

Video card: I prefer Nvidia over ATI. Again, a personal preference I could be swayed from.

Any suggestions or opinions out there?