Is there any real advantage to getting a 64 bit chip and board right now? I know that the 64bit edition of windows is in some form of beta but if Iget that release of windows will i see any real performance boost or not yet?

depends. if you are getting a desktop...then wait a couple months (maybe till dec) for the amd64 mobos that support pci-e. Otherwise if you are getting a laptop and you don't wanna wait for pci-e to be released in mid-2005, then get one with an amd64 now. they are so much faster especially for games than a p4. 64bit edition will also be extremely fast. some advice....when buying 64bit...go with amd...they have a good lead on the 64 bit world and even if intel releases something, it is gonna be halfassed. (the memory controller on intels suck).

i just bought a Hypersonic Aviator AX7 with an AMD64 3700+ (2.4ghz). It will easily outperform the intel 3.4ghz HT Extreem Edition along with 3.6/3.8.