For work (and this is why this will be tax deductible) I need a computer capable of doing some hardcore 3d rendering. I was thinking about buying several slave computers to do the job, but I know that's overkill, not to mention expensive and a pain in the arse. Especially since I don't know about building high powered PCs.

So it's probably best to build one decent computer, and since its tax deductible I may as well go the whole hog. Are these motherboards special purpose, if not what kinds of things can they do? Obviously they're suitable for CAD and 3D rendering programs.

Which one of these two would better suit my needs? Do you have other suggestions (other models, brands, etc)? They're both capable of 12gig of DDRAM 400(?), so that should quench any programs thirst for rendering shit. Everything else is jibberish to me. I'm a cowboy, not a technician.

http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=36_62&products_id=35536
http://www.centrecom.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=36_62&products_id=35700

Also, I want to run Linux, so I may dual boot it (along with XP) - is that possible? But I don't know if there's even any programs I would use that work with Linux. I am pretty sure all of them on work with Windows. Is there a point?

Or should I go Mac? I hear they're pretty capable. I don't know if they'll run the programs I work with though. I don't know the first thing about Mac though either.

you will be better off with a server based mobo with multiple CPU sockets and plenty more DIMM slots