CPU and Mobo opinions needed

[darkecho2788]

I'm not looking into heavy gaming, so I don't need the greatest stuff out there. Occasionally I may play games here and there, but nothing too serious.

So i was looking at this cpu originally. I haven't built a computer in quite some time and thus newbish with the subtle differences in specs.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103773
Considering that I won't be playing games so much, I began to wonder if spending this much was worth it, and then considered this following link.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103211

Any opinions between the two, long term speaking? In terms of price vs convenience speaking. I don't think I need a quad core do I, everybody here seems to always suggest quad core. If you have any suggestions for other processors, that is also appreciated (but also please leave comments about the current two).

As for the mobo.... I originally thought this would be my buy
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130161
But I'm not too sure after browsing through all the other mobos, any better suggestions that would be more compatible with the cpu of choice?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

 

[jj463rd]

For light gaming the AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Brisbane 2.6GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Processor would be fine.It doesn't put out a lot of heat and it's inexpensive.The AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 125W Dual-Core Processor puts out a lot of heat but is a slightly better performer.

However I thought that your choice of motherboard was way too expensive and not neccesary.
Here is one that is inexpensive and upgradable too if you do later on want a quad core Phenom or perhaps it might even take a upcoming AMD AM2+ Deneb (Phenom) CPU in early 2009.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131324
It has very good integrated graphics which would work good for light gaming but if you want a nice inexpensive graphics card for it this one would be nice.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127383

Another alternative would be to build an Intel based system which would be faster than AMD.The Blood Raven mentioned such an inexpensive system here.An inexpensive Intel CPU and inexpensive motherboard would cost about the same price or perhaps only a little more money.
Look at the last post.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/253927-28-information-computer-components-computer-buying

For light gaming or perhaps average gaming I would still choose a ATI HD4670 graphics card which has about half of the performance as an HD4850 graphics card.

If you're more comfortable with building an AMD system then go for it.
AMD does have an easier CPU mounting solution.But if you would like to build a faster Intel system that's O.K. as well.

 

[bobbknight]

Oh god no don't buy an Asus board, if you sent it in for repair you will be very sorry.

 

[jj463rd]

So bobbknight you have had bad luck with Asus?
Hmm I've never had a problem so far with one of their motherboards.
I have 7 Asus based systems going back all the way to 1998 and all of them still work fine.

 

[darkecho2788]

Yea I kinda don't want to mess with Asus anymore, I only built one computer before and had a bad experience with asus board, I know it isn't right to judge from just one experience, but first impressions do have a lasting effect =P

Could you suggest another board, and I'll just stick with amd for now. Looks like I'll be getting the brisbane.

Any other opinions?

 

[ainarssems]

I have always had problems with Asus boards, also laptops. My choice at the moment is Gigabyte.

 

[Hellboy]

I have always had problems with Asus boards, also laptops. My choice at the moment is Gigabyte.

Ill second that I have built 75 machines with gigabyte motherboards and have never had one fail on its own accord...

One did when some one removed the video card when switched on...

Go for a Q6600 while you can, it will last for ages over clocks like a gooden and although not the highest performer its so good for the price its been ages for AMD to do anything to catch up...


These are so well priced at the mo too get one for less than 200 dollars...

go for it...

 

[jj463rd]

O.K. then here is the Gigabyte version of the 780G motherboard.
It's very inexpensive but it's also very popular.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128090