Need advice on new MB

[White Widow]

I've been living on a laptop for 3 years, and it's time to return to the desk. I'm not trying to build anything fancy, just a system mid-level system (at a ~$1000 price) which can run a single video card and a Core 2 Duo. The only thing that will be stressing the system is gaming. I'm thinking a 4850 as a starter video card (for now...); should offer some improvement over my mobile x1600...

After some initial research, I am looking at:

1. Asus IP35-Pro
2. Gigabyte EP35-DS3L/R
3. MSI P45 Neo-F

I'd like to keep the price around $100, +/- $20.

Also, CPU suggestions would be appreciated. I'm aiming for 3.2GHz+ with more than 2MB L2 cache. I'm happy to spend an extra $50 on a quality HSF to help me do that (suggestions welcome), but I'd prefer a boxed CPU that can hit my target with stock cooling. Wit that in mind, I'm looking at the E7200 @ 8.5*400 or 9*400. Doable with stock cooling?

I could possibly talk myself into spending another $60 to get the Q6600 now that the price has dropped, or an e8400, but I'm not sure either would give me a lot more than the e7200, given my usage profile. Am I wrong? Seems like if anything I would be better off spending that extra $60 and getting a 4870 instead, no?

Thanks,
Aaron

 

[DSF]

I think the E7200 is a good choice. Any P35 or P45 board should be fine - P45 doesn't do much for you if you aren't thinking about running two graphics cards.