current intel has been pimp-slapping AMD, both in raw power and value, especially if you're overclocking. And that's coming from someone who's mostly used AMD for desktops. I'd try to wait until the dust settles on the new intel 45nm chips that are coming out in November. A few things to remember:

- 64-bit chips only matter if you're running a 64-bit OS, which is still a little way off for a majority of the population.

- Multicore systems can give you a giant boost, if you're audio app can handle it. Reaper, for instance scales very well. You can get a 8-core system for under $2,000, under $2,300 including monitors, and it would be hard to imagine an audio project that this couldn't handle. I did a quick imaginary shopping trip on newegg, I'm not endorsing any of these products, it's just an example:

Qty.	Product Description	Savings	Total Price
1	LG Electronics LG LIGHTSCRIBE DVD-RW GSA-H44LB 18X E-IDE ATAPI 2MB 145MS BEIGE - OEM Item #: N82E16827136121 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy		$29.99
2	Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600AAJS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM Item #: N82E16822136075 Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy		$99.98 ($49.99 each)
2	Acer AL2016WBbd Black 20" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail Item #: N82E16824009108 Return Policy: [LCD] Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return Policy	-$10.00 Instant	$399.98 $379.98 ($189.99 each)
1	XFX PVT84JUDD3 GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail Item #: N82E16814150229 Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy	$20.00 Mail-in Rebate	$129.99
1	ZEROtherm ZT100 thermal grease - Retail Item #: N82E16835887010 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy		$5.99
1	CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4 - Retail Item #: N82E16820145034 Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy	$40.00 Mail-in Rebate	$98.00
1	ASUS DSGC-DW Dual 771 Intel 5000X MCH SSI EEB 3.61 Server Motherboard - Retail Item #: N82E16813131170 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy		$419.99
2	Intel Xeon E5335 Clovertown 2.0GHz Socket 771 Active or 1U Processor Model BX80563E5335A - Retail Item #: N82E16819117121 Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy		$697.98 ($348.99 each)
1	Microsoft Windows XP Professional With SP2C - OEM Item #: N82E16832116400 Return Policy: Software Return Policy		$139.99
1	hec RA448A00 SECC 1.2 mm heavy duty steel 4U Server Case - Retail Item #: N82E16811121008 Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS ATX12V / EPS12V 600W Power Supply - Retail Item #: N82E16817341010 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy	-$10.00 Instant -$15.00 Combo $15.00 Mail-in Rebate	$199.98 $174.98
Subtotal:			$2,176.87
Calculate Shipping Zip Code: 20737		Shipping:	$69.38
Redeem Gift Certificates Claim Code: Security Code:		Gift Certificates:	$0.00
Apply Promo Code		Promo Code:	$0.00
This cart qualifies for No Payments for 6 Months with Newegg.com Preferred Account
Grand Total:			$2,246.25