my advice.. ditch the computer and get married.. go on a holiday/honeymoon.. discover that games aren't the only thing in the universe..

when you get back you've had such a long break from gaming that wolfenstein 3D and street fighter 2 seem fun to you.. eventually you are sick of them and want to play the latest games again..

BUT, by this time your $400 buys you a quad-opteron 6500+ with triple-decker PCIultra, (and AGP), wireless RAM links, and hyper-mega-grand-poobah-transport AND it all fits in a funky aluminium match-box.

so you see... this is the perfect compromise, I challenge anyone to find flaws in this game-plan.

Balzi - master architech of lasting relationships involving significant PC hardware upgrades.

LMFAO!!! ur a funny guy balzi
cannot agree more *sigh*

anyway go for the opteron 148 along with ur ASRock mobo. i think u will really like the CPU and the mobo of course. FYI, ASRock mobos are made by ASUS.. =] i like ASUS hehe

and oh yea.. JUMP the opty before they sell out.. i dont think ull ever find these again. OC that to about 2.8ghz and yea.. wow =]]] aww then ull need a new video card.. well by then u'll have enuf money.. considering u didnt spend a grand on ur gf's ring hehhehehe