Build a PC

Hi,
I live in Mexico and I have a crazy idea, I want to build a new PC. I have read that it is easy to assemble a new PC. On the other hand, I do not want to be Delled anymore¡¡¡
I understand that the most important part of a computer is the motherboard and the chipset.
To tell the truth, I do not know much about motherboards, but I have already seen an Intel® Desktop Board, the D845PEBT2 which supports the Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor with HT Technology. On the other hand, a vendor offered to me a Soyo KT400 Dragon Ultra Black Edition Socket A Motherboard for $159. I do not know which of these motherboards are the best option to me. Are there another option?
You see, I would want to build a powerfull multimedia computer. I also need to search for the rest of the equipment (video and sound cards, hard drive...). I want a powerfull video card and a lot of RAM. Could you suggest me anything?
Regards and sorry for my ignorance¡

Marco Antonio Vazquez.

You see, I have spent almost $3000.00 dollars in 1999 for my Dell Dimension XPS T600. I think that I could spend more or less the same if I choose the best components.

not crazy at all.i wish i had that much money at my disposal.you can build anything you want for that amount of money.

no matter how hard you try, you can't polish a turd. :]

I suggest you source your parts though me! How far south of the boarder are you? Anyway, I wouldn't use either board, as the Intel board won't let you overclock at all, and the Soyo board is using a VIA chipset. BTW Soyo is the ABSOLUTE WORST COMPANY I've ever had the horror of dealing with for service, it cost me more in time and money to get service than the last board I got from them cost me!

You have a lot of choices. On a budget P4 I'd recommend the Asus P4S533 (their last good SiS board) and PC2100. Next step up I'd go with the Gigabyte GA-8SG667 or 8SG800. Now, you have to spend a WHOLE LOT more money to get better performance from that point (skipping all the Intel DDR chipsets) and go straight to RDRAM boards with the i850E.

Of course their's always new boards and chipsets on the horizon.

<font color=blue>There are no stupid questions, only stupid people doling out faulty information based upon rumors, myths, and poor logic!</font color=blue>