new pc suggestions? P4 or AMD?

[smokinreefer]

OK, so if i go AMD 64 3000+ thats rated 1.8Ghz... but am i right in assuming that the chip is supposed to be comparable to a 3.0Ghz rated P4 chip?

For AMD i've heard i should look for a 'Venice' chipset...

$206.39 for a 3000+ 1.8G
$268.58 for a 3200+ 2.0G
$377.42 for a 3500+ 2.2G

i can see that the rated speeds of the chips arent that different, but is there a particular chip i should get... i know some chips outperform others and can be overclocked better etc.

thanks again.