Expert: Karl Zick - 5/17/2008

Question
Hi im thinking of building a pc, can you recommend good value motherboard, also which cpu you would get AMD - Athlon 64 (S AM2) - Dual Core X2 5000 + , Brisbane Core, Dual Core 2.6ghz can you recommend Thanks

Answer
Hi Rid,

Stick with the Athlon 64 X2 - it is a great CPU and AM2 socket motherboards are the thing these days.  Speed wise, you will not be able to tell much difference between a 4400 and a 5000 so buy the one that has the best price.  As far as motherboards, ASUS has always worked for me and I just put a system together with an M2N-MX SE+ that I am very happy with.

One warning on motherboards, video cards, and Vista.  If you plan to use Vista and install a PCI Express video card, do not buy a motherboard with on-board video.  Vista has a serious bug that will not let the 2 co-exist (which I just found out the hard way).

Have fun with your new system.