Let me know what performance gain you see between the two. I'm about to bump mine from 1.5gb to 3gb. I just don't see my CPU getting hit hard, still. I mean, there's some--the instruments like Akoustik Piano that include an impulse verb as part of the instrument...but, it's also not my fave piano I've got, and you can always just clikc the impulse off.

Sure thing, popmann.

I also intend to do the /3gig switch thing...

but only after I've done my homework [[;)]]

sorry mike, i am late ...
i'd take one of those asus boards with 2 x 2 GB RAM (leaves the upgrade path to 8 GB open) - don't take one with the newer DDR3 chipsets, it is too early for the current chipset generation.

alternatively choose intel, eg. this one

if you wait for 2 or 3 weeks the quad-core CPUs will be available at a reduced price (i've read something about $ 266.-)

grafic card is of course PCIe then, but there are still *normal* PCI slots for conventional audio cards

you should actually be able to *transfer* or image your current system and just update/add the needed drivers - i have done this successfully with an older and a newer shuttle lately.
christian

Thanks Christian.

Should I go for IDE or SATA drives? Or is there not much performance difference these days?

All your advice is being carefully noted - much appreciated.

Mike.