Which motherboard/cpu for gaming?

[wscreate]

I want to build a Windows based pc from a basic kit. I want to be able to use the pc for gaming. I am currently looking at different Motherboard/CPU combos. However, I have noticed that motherboards can vary wildly.

This is an example of the type of combos I am looking at.... From what I read, AMD Athlon processors are a good choice....
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...=MBM-CK8D-2800

Am I on the right track concerning the motherboard?

Do you have any recommendations/site urls that might be helpful?

Thanks. I can't wait to get started once I choose the motherboard/cpu.

[bombledmonk]

That would be a great combo, especially for the price, but be very very careful with tigerdirect rebates. I got burned for $60 because of tigerdirect's mistake(still working them...over 9 months) and I'm not the only one. Many others have lost large quantities of money to their rebates.

I haven't read up on that mobo, but I think you would be satisfied. It doesn't have the newest chipset in the Nforce3 150 but it would probably give some good gaming.

[wscreate]

Thanks bomble. So far, that combo is at the top of my list based on features -vs- price.

[John Prophet]

you have ot be a little careful sometimes with tigerdirect..sometimes they use sort of old stuff...or models that seem non-standard.

I would go to soyo's site first and look up that board and make sure I can get drivers and bios updates for it etc.

[wscreate]

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Prophet

you have ot be a little careful sometimes with tigerdirect..sometimes they use sort of old stuff...or models that seem non-standard.

I would go to soyo's site first and look up that board and make sure I can get drivers and bios updates for it etc.

I appreciate the advice.

[John Prophet]

also of course, if you do any rebates..MAKE SURE you copy all the stuff you send in..make copies of

1)upc
2) filled out rebate form
3) receipt

if you dont keep copies you are at the mercy of the rebate center...and their job is to mak emoney..which they do by turning down rebates, lol....so if they reject your rebate..for whatever real or imagined reason..and you dont have copies of the stuff..you are out of luck.

so make copies and you will get the money back

if you arent the type to be diligent about making copies and sending stuff in on time etc...dont count on the getting the rebate

[wscreate]

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Prophet

also of course, if you do any rebates..MAKE SURE you copy all the stuff you send in..make copies of

1)upc
2) filled out rebate form
3) receipt

if you dont keep copies you are at the mercy of the rebate center...and their job is to mak emoney..which they do by turning down rebates, lol....so if they reject your rebate..for whatever real or imagined reason..and you dont have copies of the stuff..you are out of luck.

so make copies and you will get the money back

if you arent the type to be diligent about making copies and sending stuff in on time etc...dont count on the getting the rebate

That is good advice and helpful. Thanks.

Still mulling over the motherboard combo thing. I found another mother board that sounds pretty good. I would need to buy the CPU separately which is no biggie.

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...uctCode=241426

It seems it requires an AMD XP CPU. But, it does have dual channel memory, which I have heard is good.

I am comparing the combo above to this one.... "
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...=MBM-CK8D-2800

Which allows an Athlon 64, which I have heard is better than the Athlon XP. The one at TigerDirect does not seem to have dual channel memory though.

Anyone have any comments or advice about these two mobos and chips? Keep in mind, I am not too worried about price... that is, if pay $100 more for one over the other, it will not matter to me as long as I choose the best mobo and cpu for my intended use (Games, mostly).

Thanks.

[Underclocked]

Newegg has a couple of Athlon 64 combos.

http://images10.newegg.com/uploadFil.../AMD/land2.htm

[John Prophet]

the athlon 64 retail cpu at newegg is $165..that is the retail cpu with heatsink and 3 yr warranty.

I think if money isnt critical Id go with that an djust pick a nice athlon 64 board from newegg.....newegg has a great name and return policies etc....

I think id go that way as opposed to tiger direct....plus you are getting to CHOOSE a board and not just get the one td is pushing....sometimes they push a board cuz it aint selling, lol

[proffit]

i think u should go look at some thing like a 2500+ and a asus mobo i dont like the idea of bundles( victum of 3 scams. 1 time i didnt even get my 2400+) so just be on ur guard for this if u r gonna go threw with it. but as i said if u get a 2500+ it can be over clocked to speeds of the 3000+ or even faster. and asus boards r a good price and have some nice features( 5.1 in most of them, and gigabyte lan if u pickthe right model.)just a little food for thought here. good luck.


ps what graphics card and how much ram u thinking of getting ?