Well, I have about 2.5 cents to offer you too. I have had a bit of experience in this with the death of my old rig. I have to say that OC is overrated. Sability, and performance always outweigh clockspeed.
Just look at Intel. Up until just recently, all Intel could do was look at AMD's tail lights. AMD was kicking the tar out of Intel in all the gaming benchmarks. Largely to to the fact that AMD has always had a superior floating point algorithm.
Intel chose fewer decisions per clock cycle and more clock cycles. Whereas AMD stuck with the tried and true game plan. More decisions per clock cycle, and pump up the clock cycles slowly. This means that the AMD will trounce the competition even though they operate at a slower clock speed.
Lesson: Clock Speed means BUGSQUAT!
I recommend going with a dual processor rig similar to my own. I dig Tyan, but if you want to spend less, and use a smaller case, go with the Asus. Asus and Tyan both make good boards. What most people dont know is that Intel uses Tyan boards now. Check it out for yourself. You will see I am telling you the truth. Tyan usually picks up where the competition leaves off. Most manufacturers leave off at 150 - 200 bux. Tyan picks up around 150 - 600. But you get what you pay for
Bottom line is, I dont wait to do stuff while I am doing other things. For example: I download files, update newsgoup headers, unrar filesets, rip VCD's, and play Jedi Outcast ALL AT THE SAME TIME without missing a stormtrooper! I would invite any overclocked single proc Intel boy to try and match that!
If I had to go Intel. I would get the Asus P4T533-C. Get 1GB PC1066 RDRAM, mate them with an Intel 2.8GHz processor, and get myself a ATI Radeon 9700 Pro. The only reason I would even consider Intel is for the sake of this thread, but anyway, I would do it this way because that is exactly what you would get if you bought a Voodoo EGAD.
If you can't get the best, ask for money in your stocking, and wait until you can! You will be much happier in the long run.
nuff said