Dual G4 Or Dual G5?, upgrading my home studio... Options

[ctklem]

I need to replace my old 350 mhz G4 with a newer machine. I'll be working with a lot of processor intensive virtual synths in Cubase SX as well as linking to Reason through Rewire. Naturally, the dual 1.8/2.0 G5 is the best choice as far as processing power. However, I'm on a tight budget--real tight!--and right now, dual G4s run about a thousand dollars less than the G5s. I can certainly put that extra thousand to good use in other studio equipment. Is the Dual G4 enough processor for runnning, say, up to ten soft synths? How obsolete will that be in two years? Is it worth saving the money or going with a more modern machine?

Any advice is appreciated.

[Jaysee]

Hi, after sitting on the fence for a while I've made my mind up to go for a G5. Although I wonder if its worth holding out a couple of months till the next crop of upgraded G5's come out, I should think a few good discounts will be on offer as dealers try to shift their old stock. I notice in magazines such as 'sound on sound' that a few mail order companies offer to 'pre configure' new macs for music/audio requirements.
Apart from asking them to stuff it full of extra RAM, what other stuff should I ask for, bearing in mind that I'm unlikely to do any 'audio' recording of vocals etc as most of my stuff is likely to be midi based instrumental.
Also can anyone recommend a good flat screen monitor which is a bit cheaper than the cripplingly expensive apple cinema display?
cheers.