Need Motherboard recommendation

[Mattlock]

I've been out of touch with hardware for the last year but I've gotten to the point of needing to upgrade my system...

Here's my current setup:
Asus A7V600 Motherboard, Via KT600
1024 MB DDR SD RAM, PC 3200
Athlon XP oc'd to 1.955
ATI Radeon 8500 All in Wonder

I want to keep my case, harddrives, DVDs etc.

I found this deal which seems pretty decent..

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ Windsor 2.6GHz Socket AM2 Processor Model ADA5200CSBOX - Retail
Item #: N82E16819103759
* CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model WIN2X2048-6400C4 - Retail
Item #: N82E16820145034
$236
-$30.00 Combo
--------------
$206.99 +tax (if applicable)
-$40.00 Mail-in Rebate (Cosair memory)
--------------
$166.99 free shipping


1) What is a good motherboard recommendation? (not into overclocking any longer....)

2) Also what is a good video card recommendation? (for "very good" gaming graphics but doesnt have to be the best

thanks

 

[mervin338]

How familiar are you with the Pentium Core 2 Duo processors? If you're looking for a new system I don't think there are too many people around here who are going to recommend an AMD system given the vast performance superiority of the intel systems. AMD still makes great processors, but they just don't compare to newest intel processors.

 

[Mattlock]

I am not familiar at all.... Does anyone have any specific CPU/mobo recommendations? I'd like to stick to a price point of around $500 (cpu/ram/mb and video card)

thanks

 

[mervin338]

For $500 you're really going to be stetching yourself thin. You're definitely not going to be able to put together a quality gaming system for that price tag. What are you going to be using the computer for exactly?

Keep in mind that most video cards today are power hungry, so you might need to throw a power supply into the mix depending on what you've got now.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

1. Abit IP35-E @ MWAVE...$71 AR

2. E2160 CPU...$70 to $80 boxed with CPU fan

3. HP/Crucial 1.8V DDR2 667 RAM...$15 AR per GB. Free shipping. Limit of 5 GB. See Hot Deals forum.

Final cost is around $180 for 2GB of RAM. System is capable of 3.6GHz with an excellent chip. You'll probably be limited to about 3.0GHz overclock with the stock CPU cooler. Go to the MB forum and check out the Abit IP35-E thread. Plenty of overclocking tips at the 1st post. Many 1st time overclockers with 3.2GHz rig.

 

[Mattlock]

thanks. Most of my computer use will be simple internet stuff with occassional gaming (battlefield 2 etc)

Any thoughts on a good middle of the road video card?

Mattlock

 

[o1die]

Newegg has an xfs PV-T86J 8500gt card for $55 after rebate, with directx 10 support.