Okay, i got like 140 burning a hole in my pocket. I get like 20 a week, and about 300 from relatives for christmas. So, the big question is, what should i get, and when should i get it?

I got a flat screen monitor that i am happy with, as i just bought it, so no lcd until next year maybe. I got an AthlonXP 1900 on a K7S5A mobo, and i hate the mobo, i might change it. Now the graphics card, thats where the problem is. I paid 300 for an ATI Radeon 8500 64mb ddr at christmas, and its the biggest peice of shit ever. I heard nothing but good things about the 9700 running doom 3 demos at Quakecon though. So i was wondering if i should stay ATI or go nvidia with their next gen cards that will equal the 9700. That and ram are really the only things i need besides a kick ass sound sytem.

If you plan on gaming use nvidia, if you use your comp for graphics and video editing stay with ATI. ATI is one of the worlds best brands for video and graphics editing and its alot cheaper then nvidia. As for the mobo, if you plan on replacing it i would recomend either an ABIT or Asus product (specificly the Abit KR7A-133RAID).

Have you considered laptops?

Actually, my dad gets a laptop from work. It is a spiffy p3 or p4 with a nice 3d card, cause it plays quite a few 3d games. I only have to use it every once in awhile when we go on trips or something, because most of the time i am at school(high school) or at home in front of one of my pc's. I am more into gaming, so i guess nvidia it is. Money isnt really an option as long as i know what i want, my parents will put money in. So i was thinking top of the line nvidia card. I need to know if i should wait for the new ones or just get to 4600?

The 4600 is well worth it for gaming, it has the highest rating out of all the nvidia cards and quite frankly i think the newer nvidia modles will be about the same but will cost way more, I suggest the 4600.