I am saving up for a new PC and want to give my current one to wife and kids. However, I may be forced to at least replace the motherboard and so I was wondering what you have found to be a good motherboard/CPU combo that is stable? Both Intel or AMD combo suggestions are welcomed. I refuse to go cheap, but I don't want to break the bank either. Also,what RAM would you suggest and how much?

Plus, how do you test for a valid CPU speed?

I suggest you take a PCIx Mobo and a 64bit Athlon 3200+. I'll check out the good mobos if you want? But be warned, most PCI Express equipped motherboards haven't got an AGP slot, so you might have to take a few more $$ to get a new graphics card...

Is there anything in the works that motherboards will offer both AGP as well as PCI Express slots? I mean the manufacturers are still making slews of AGP cards that are hogging all kinds of power. Plus with the Athon 64 and the soon to come 64 bit apps Windows OS so much will be history as we know it.

one of the biggest questions.. whats your budget?

And the fact that 64bit processors arnt fully utilized at the moment and dont look like they will anytime soon is a problem aswell.

Actually, I was wrong, sorry. Because of the LGA775, by Intel, that is used in all of the PCI Express equipped motherboards there are no Athlon models. But, a HT Intel processor might be great too. But, as Hark stated, the biggest question is: what's your budget? The mobo itself is 200$, the processor is 300$ and a graphics card can range from 150$ to 1000$.

Exactly. Until platforms and games start fully supporting them it's typically a waste of money in buying one (I think Unreal 3 will, but that's a ways off). All you ensure is that yours will be outdated by the time they are.

Let's say budget for CPU and MObo around $450.00 As for the 64 bit application thing, everything I have been reading lately is that game manufaturers are salivating over the gaming potential. As for a new PC say $1,200 to $1,400 but that would include everything.

They do have potential - it's simply not really needed yet. AFAIK no games currently require or take effect of 64-bit architecture, and certainly don't need the clock speed most are at. Unless you need 4GB+ of memory (which really might not be that far off for gaming) there's not much of a point unless you're going for the best possible. Personally, I'd buy a higher-end 32-bit processor until 64-bit is abolutely _needed_.

[ 10-04-2004, 01:44 AM: Message edited by: silencer ]

Actually im pretty sure that 64bit processors allow for 8gig+ of RAM, you can have 4GB of RAM with a 32Bit processor, but thats just what ive heard, and how many people here have even close to that?? Not me :(