hmmm thanks! i think i'll go with that then, unless some other people make suggestions here. the non-ultra version is also a lot cheaper, even with more RAM. i'm also upgrading my memory from 256MB DDR to 768MB (adding a 512MB chip), or a full-on 1GB.

how do these specs look for maya (considering on my current set-up, a 12 second video at 640x480 with water dynamics took a full 24 hours to make)?

(old specs in parentheses)

Pentium 4 1.8 GHz
768MB or 1024MB DDR RAM (formerly 256MB)
GeForce FX 5700 256MB (formerly GeForce 2 MX400)
Windows 2000 Professional (formerly Windows XP Professional)

how much would those specs improve performance from the older ones in parentheses?