This sounds really stupid, but is a 3.* GHz Pentium 4 processor better than a 1.4GHz Core 2 Duo processor? You'd think the answer would be pretty obvious, but maybe there are a few things in the "new technology" of the Duo that somehow makes it better?

If the P4 would be better, I'll totally buy it, because it's cheaper than the Duo... (Example: P4 is $55. Core 2 is $120.)

EDIT: Would that P4 be compatible with this motherboard?

The pentium 4 is not even close to the Core 2 Duo. The core 2 series was developed for lower temps, lower wattage, etc. The pentium four is at least 5 or 6 year old technology, and was designed for higher frequencies, it has higher power needs. if you go here: http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu.html , you can run a comparison of the two different processors that you are interested in.

Aside from the obvious price difference, the P4 is becoming obsolete. I'd just stick with the Core 2 Duo because it provides you a better value in the long run. I'm running a 2.4 Core 2 Duo myself and I couldn't love it better.

There's plenty of Core 2 Duo-compatible motherboards that are affordable, take a look at newegg.com.

*EDIT* The fundamental difference between the processors is that the Core 2 Duo is capable of splitting tasks into two different processors, thereby making it far more efficient, whereas a P4 cannot (having to utilize its entire CPU to perform all the tasks).