good inexpensive CPU/Mobo

[Bdee1]

i am looking to put together an extra system to control my home automation and to do cd/dvd burning and that sort of stuff. i am looking for a a good cpu\mobo\ram combo that a good performer but inexpensive (under $300). it does not have to be the latest greatest but anything that is very reliable and over 2.5GHz (or 2500 in AMD terms). any suggestions?

 

[sh1ft3d]

<A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-452&depa=1" target="_new">Socket 754 2800+ AMD64 $120</A> + <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-128-262&depa=1" target="_new">Socket 754 Gigabyte Mobo $70</A> + <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-146-299&depa=1" target="_new">2 x 512MB Mushkin $86</A> = $276, $24 under the $300 budget.

--------------------------------------------
In just two days, tomorrow will be yesterday.

 

[Bdee1]

thanks for the suggestion - only problem is that although it got all good reviews on newegg, i have never had good luck with gigabyte boards. any recommendations for something in an MSI, ASUS or shuttle?

 

[Rugger]

My recommendations would be:
1. <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-180-061&depa=1" target="_new">Soltek SL-K8AN2E-GR</A> for $78
2. <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-127-190&depa=1" target="_new">Abit NF8</A> for $94
or
3. <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-123-242&depa=1" target="_new">Epox 8KDA3+Pro</A> for $95

For the Asus:
<A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-498&depa=1" target="_new">K8N-E Deluxe</A> for $125. You definitely pay a premium for that name...
__________________________________________________
<font color=red>You're a boil on the arse of progress - don't make me squeeze you!</font color=red>

 

[endyen]

For the Asus:
K8N-E Deluxe for $125. You definitely pay a premium for that name...

or <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-512&depa=0" target="_new">http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-512&depa=0</A> not.

 

[Rugger]

True...I was listing products with similar feature sets. The K8N doesn't have the 250GB chipset so it loses firewire and Gigabit LAN. The K8N is close, I should have listed it and pointed out the differences....

__________________________________________________
<font color=red>You're a boil on the arse of progress - don't make me squeeze you!</font color=red>