MB + CPU = ~$500. But what MB & CPU !?! :)

[aquadark]

OK, I've been having mu current system for more than 2 years now (P4 1.8@2.6, ASUS P4S8X (YEAH, I KNOW). Anyway, I have decided to buy a new mobo and cpu.
I have ~500USD (but there is 20 % VAT, so I would actually have to pay 600 bucks). The new system will be mainly used for gaming and amateur video edit, so game performance AND stability is the key. I don't have any particular Intel/AMD preferences, so...
I've read many reviews and tests, but I can't be sure in my choice, ESPECIALLY after 2 years ago I got my current CRAP mobo, again after reading some great things about it.
So I'm not risking again.

Things to consider:

2x256 DDR400 GEIL
It has to have 2 or at least 1 ATA133 channel, 5.1+ Audio, IEEE 1394, LAN. (the standart stuff for most pro and deluxe models).
Prices here tend to be 40-50 USD higher than the best Newegg offers.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Gorankar]

Well for gaming AMD's FX and 64 is the way to go but, video editing software seems to favor Intel P4 in many cases. If you game alot and don't mind waiting a little longer for video to encode and you don't plan to do anything else except maybe surf the web while video is encoding then I recomend any top brand nforce3 ultra socket 939 , and the fastest socket 939 AMD 64 you can find with whats left.

I would wait a couple of months though and get a Nforce4 mobo..

 

[Specialist[X]]

if you are only asking for a mobo and a cpu for a budget of 500$ you have waaay more than enough.

my choice would probably be the amd a64 s939 winchester core 3500+ along with either an abit av8, asus a8v deluxe, msi k8n neo 2 platinum. should only cost you total about 400$ more or less.