Building my own recommendations needed

[Johnny]

I want to put together a list of the best hardware in order to build my own system for music, audio, recording, mastering etc..
I would like recommendations on the best motherboard to start and build from that.
If anybody has a system with that in mind already, please help me out.
I have always bought bundled packages that never seem to handle the quality and speed well.

Right now I am using :

Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2
System Manufacturer: INTELR
System Model: AWRDACPI
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.00GHz
Memory: 1024MB RAM
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904

2-120g hdd
1-80g ext hdd
2 cd/dvd rw drives
usb-2

This is what I use for non music related things like web browsing and business related things.

I have replaced, reinstalled, reformatted, rewired and updated so many parts in this computer as well as 2 others that I am feeling confident that I should not buy bundles anymore but build it myself.
So----------
Does anyone have recommendations on the hardware of your dreams?
Thanks for any help!

Johnny

[pop pop]

I'm sorry, I don't get the poll box. Are you asking which component is the most important? Cause that's all you can do with that, the way it is set up.

[Grumper]

There is a way to get a great machine idea and build it yourself.

Go to Computer Shopper, locate a computer you think is wonderful read the specs and build it---change this and that and Im sure you will come up with a winner. Go to AnandTech.com and see the reviews they have.

Building a new great rig might save you a few bucks, but we all know its the fun and satisfaction of getting it up and going, and not to mention knowing whats what and whats where.

The new rig Im building is costing me $1563, the nearest combination I can find [ to buy it from a jobber] is about $1800 / $1900, and I did what I suggested you do pick one out and go to it.-Have Fun

[jlreich]

How about a budget. Nothing like a $ amount to get the juices flowing, and thinking what they could build with that much. :p

First decide what CPU you want or can afford, then pick out the mobo and PSU. Those are the three most important. ;) Everything else is built on this foundation, so if these are of poor quality, it won't make much difference how good the other components are. Then video card if you are a gamer, and ram.

Spend your money on those first, then decide how much you can spend on the rest.

And welcome the the http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif

[Grumper]

You want a motherboard , take a look at the ASUS A8V Deluxe, socket 939 , AMD64 architecture, Dual Channel , DDR 400 Memory $125 American, AGP 8X, Intergrated audio, lan, 8 USB 2.0 and it goes on and on. This is not a PCI Express mobo, I think they need a little more time on that style, too new for me.