I use a dual p4 xeon system @ work..so here's my unprofessional thoughts. Get a dual processor system if you do tons of rendering. If you do more modeling then rendering then you would be 10,000 times happier with dual monitors over dual processors. Dual monitors would make your life sooo much easier...esp in the real of video editing. As for intel vs. amd .... amd is blistering fast. Carrara renders faster on my 900mhz tb then it does on my friends 1.4gig p4. Just make sure that the motherboard you purchase is an awesome motherboard. There are some really sucky motherboards for amd. The compatablitiy problems you may have heard about where all the motherboard manufactors problems. BUT...the p4 definatly has its place. Toms hardware just did a review of a fan failure....the p4 cuts its speed in 1/2 and then a few minutes later the motherboard shut down before the processor burnt down. The AMD athlon was so hot I think it took about 45secs for it to start smoking and burn out. I love athlons..they are rock solid, very very fast, and much much cheaper to purchase. The problem is that if you do animations like I do and you have to leave the computer on for days or weeks at a time you may want the security that comes with a intel chip. just remember that most programs do not support dual processors. My feeling is that in terms of editing I would rather edit on a p3 500mhz computer with dual 21" monitors then have 1 19" monitor and dual processors. Dual processors are great, but dual monitors (IMHO) are much more worth the money.