Building new system - need advice pls

[osage]

I'm still running an ABIT BH-6 with an overlcocked Celeron III in a slotket thingy on Win98SE with a Saitek x-45.

It's time to build a new system.

I'm gonna get a really nice Lian Li case with a 450 watt power supply.

I want to go Intel with an ABIT mobo. I know to get the ATI Radeon 9700 pro.

I prefer Abit mobos to Asus, and I'd like to keep my upgrade path open.

I don't want a RAID mobo and I am leery of embedded sound (an 10/100 port is OK).

What is the best Intel chipset mobo/CPU/RAM combo to go with now?  I would prefer something tried and true.

I am aware of Saitek X-45 issues with Win XP, but I am pretty sure I can deal with them.

My budget is $1500 (no monitor)

Thanks in advance, guys.

[blackfalcon4]

Abit's 865 canterwood chipset is real nice, great oc'n ability and runs dddr @800mhz

If ya can afford it intels 3+ghz @800mhz is the way to go, but dropping to 2.8@800fsb is a real cost savings, just make sure its a 800mhz proc.

Get matching set of pc3200 modules to take advantage of the dual channel fsb.

[osage]

That mobo looks good.  I'm thinking about going with the following system:

Case: Lian-Li 6089A Mid Alum. Tower With Clear Side Panel
Power Supply: Enermax Whisper EG-465P-VE (FMA) (XP / P4 Ready) 460 Watt PS
Motherboard: Abit IC7-G Abit IC7-G GB-LAN/SATA Dual DDR (i875 Canterwood)
http://www.abit-usa.com/products/mb/products.php?categories=1&model=4
Processor:
Intel P4 478 2.8 GHz 800 FSB (Retail Box-
Memory:
1 GB (2 pcs 512) DDR (400) TwinX1024-3200LLPT Corsair XMS
Hard Drives 2 X Western Digital 120 GB SE 8MB 7200
CD Burner: 160506 - Plextor 48x24x48 CDRW
Video Card: ATI Radeon 9700 Pro 128MB 8X AGP
Generic Mitsumi floppy
O/S: Win XP Pro

Anything look funky? Was thinking about going with Monarch and letting them build and burn in the thing, then buying an Audigy sound card later and installing it with just the drivers.