Building a PC

[b_squared]

OK, this relative beginner is taking the plunge and building his next PC. I've already decided that gaming is the most important factor, so I'll be looking at an Athlon XP. But how high should I go? Should I worry about overclocking just to save a few $$$? What's the best mobo for such a high-end gaming machine?

I figure to go after the highest-end video accelerator and sound cards currently available; of my existing components, I only plan to keep my 40GB and 60GB HD's with the ATA-100 card (unless a step up to an ATA-133 is more desirable), and my 40x10x16 CD-RW.

But I digress. This is the mobo board, so all I really need is good mobo advice. Appreciate it in advance.

[BipolarBill]

Depending on OCing to obtain your comfort level is not a good idea. Besides - Athlons don't OC too well anyway.

The best Athlon boards at this time are VIA KT333-based. EPoX is the OCer's board. Asus and MSI are the feature-ridden ones. MSI has 4(!) KT3 boards for your perusal.

I would buy by feature-set. The EPoX is a real stripper.