AM2 mobo for workstation and home server.

Haven't bought or kept up with mobo development for a few years.

Looking for a work station to do some Linux development (kernel compiles, application development, maybe Gentoo), and as a home network server for files, backups, MythTV, and a small thin client network. I will also have multiple virtual DB servers (Oracle, PG, MySQL, etc.) running for development, and possibly to support a small web site. I don't play computer games, and not likely to set it up for anyone else to burn CPU cycles doing so either.

I want stability and reliability without sacrificing a lot of performance. This thing has got to run 24x7x365 supporting a small, but varied mix of server applications, and support professional workstation applications. Some will be constant (firewall, network intrusion detection, internet caching, honey net, etc.), and some intermittant heavy hitters on the cpu, disks, and network (kernel and/or Gentoo compiles. backups, MythTV, etc.).

For the biggest bang for the buck, and in anticipation of AMD's new quad core technology, and being able to afford it down the road, my current thoughts are:

An AM2 board (ASUS, Tyan, Gigabyte, ?) with an Opteron AM2 AMD-V processor (1210 HE), and ECC memory (2G kit (2x1G) either at 800 Mhz for upgrading to 4G (6G?) later, or a slower kit for complete replacement later, if there is a significant cost saving now). I would like to be able to have 2 high resolution monitors (think 2D pixels, not 3D frame rates) supported. Don't know whether it makes sense on board, or to add video cards -- suggestions welcome!

I think 2G of memory will be enough to start with for a workstation, a firewall/router/security virtual server running constantly in the background, and maybe popping up a virtual Windows XP server occasionally for testing the virtual security server, or infrequently running a Windows only app.

Anyone have an opinion on which AM2 board(s) would be a good buy for me?

ECC memory suggestions?

Pete