Super-Budget Intel Mobo Suggestions

[BigGreenMat]

I am looking for a super-budget Intel Mobo that is just ROCK SOLID. My only requirements are Pentium D and Core Duo accepting (not sure yet if a Pentium D would cause a power problem, PCI-E built in sound (doesn't have to be awesome, just there), built in NIC, can use SATA HDDs, and isn't screwed with Vista. I don't think that is much to ask. There will be no OC'ing on this box. I just want it to run well and be inexpensive as I am building this for my parents who will just use it for general word processing, internet, and other easy stuff.

Here is an example of what I thought might be a good idea since ASUS is a good company.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131090

Also I planned on Intel just because I think they are more comfortable with it, but would it be a better idea to go with an AMD setup for savings?

 

[moosey]

You could also go with the Intel 945P chipset over the VIA on the Asus board. That's probably what I'd do.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...7171083+1071716775&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=280

What all do you need to buy and what's the budget? How much did you want to spend on a processor?

Check some CPU reviews on the differences between AMD and Intel in your price range. Something like this even could help
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2736&p=5

This is your cheapest Dual Core Pentium D w/ HSF at Newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116001

Cheapest AM2 Athlon X2 at Newegg w/ HSF
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103735
Here are the AM2 boards
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?N=2010200022+1070921489&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=22

 

[Adidas4275]

i would not build anything that is a Pentium D...

go with the e4300 C2D

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115013

its $175 but if you build a PD you are limiting your OS to 32bit and its really slow..

if you want to stay low budget get a A64 AM2 3000+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103031
$75

and it will be much more responsive than a PD even with 1 less core... and its 64bit with ondie mem controller and will allow further upgrades later... even a AM2 sempron would be better IMO

 

[cerebrex]

frys E4300 w/ ECS mobo (which can actually OC a little) 159.99

cheapest I know of.

 

[JSF35rhino]

well if you get a via 775 lga core 2 motherboard . you can run a core 2 6000 series or e-4300 and use regular 184 pin ddr 400. which would have an additional savings --no expensive ddr2 ram required. i would think this is a option if you have 2x512 of ddr-400 or 2x1g ddr-400 layng around . most ddr/ddr2 via mb's only have two slots for ddr-1.

the ddr-400 running tight runs much like ddr-667 with any core 2 --.

the core 2 is not bandwidth starved like the old p4's-

-that ecs fry combo is the least expensive i've seen --if you can live with that cheap-o mb--lol