But then you end up with an AMD CPU. As much as I want to back the underdog, they are still a generation behind Intel with their CPU's. If you are on a budget, you are likely to get more for your money with an intel. The main difference with the intel chipsets is the CPU's they support - the X48's will support the later 1600mhz FSB CPU's, X38 is limited to the 1333mhz FSB CPU's. The P45's will accept the 1333mhz ones and the P965 will only take the older 1066mhz ones.

As for the Nvidia chipsets, the 680i and the 780i and 790i are the top of their lines, but a generation apart. The 650i and 750i were the mainstream versions. However, unless you want SLI, you are better off with the intel chipsets.

Could you put off the GPU purchase for a bit?

Core i7 920, the lowliest socket 1366 lays waste to even the 6 Core Opterons. Any benchmark they exceed in is urely comparative to the Daily Mail announcing in the early 90's that the Escort TDi was 'quicker than an Escort Cosworth', and they were not lying....the TDi would do 30-50 in fourth gear quicker than the Cosworth, as if that was a relevant comparison, even though the Cosworth would do what the Tdi could do in 2nd and 3rd in a third of the time !

Sadly no, I currently have a AGP rig with a P4 and DDR PC-3200 ram xD

Contemplating saving some money with a used gfx card, but I dont trust second hand leccy's xD

If I were to go for 2gb of ram and then add more when I get some more money and buy a cheaper lower spec gfx card and upgrade that, it might work out cheaper :S