Thanks for the input and recommendations guys. I am gathering the parts for a new 64-bit Win7 system and this will help as far as choosing components. I've been planning on an AMD 4-core CPU as well. I always go for the best "bang-for-the-buck". I want to install Carrara8 Pro, which I've already downloaded, but not before I have a system that can really handle it. I have a huge personal project with millions of polys and I definitely need a system that can address more than 3gigs of ram.