I need help finding a motherboard/CPU combo and a good deal on one because my motherboard is dead, not sure if the processor is still good though. Here are the specs I am looking for. I am willing to pay around $200 but not a whole lot more. I am doing research on motherboards. Maybe there is a new technology or something I do not know about or something I should wait for. Are there any suggestions? Do I need to know about the different socket numbers? How well does Linux support dual core, quad core, and other new technologies?

1. Linux compatibility, it must run well and supported under Linux.
2. Four or more Sata 2 3.0 gb/s connectors would be good. Only two connectors does not seem like much. I already have a Sata 2 3.0 gb/s hard drive with cables and converter for the power wire.
3. 64 bit and dual core or quad core is needed unless it is not supported now or in the future with Linux or there is something better.
4. 16x PCI express. Is only one enough? Why do I need PCI-e 1x?
5. A few regular PCI slots are needed unless everything I would plug into them is already built on the motherboard. Then I would not need them.
6. A built on video card is not required, but if it does have one, it should be 16x PCI-e, Nvidia, and a big improvement from the card I have now that is a Nvidia 3dforce FX-5200 8x AGP. Otherwise, I need a way to use that card on the new motherboard. If I need AGP, it should be 8x.
7. Speed should not be below 2 ghz. My last processor was AMD Athlon XP 1800+.
8. It should have support for plenty of memory. Right now 2 gigabytes is enough, but I probably will not be buying another one for a while, and I want it to last me when programs and operating systems require more. Even though I won't be using Microsoft, I need support for a lot of memory.
9. Reverse compatibility with DDR1 and also taking DDR2 is needed. I probably will not have enough money left over to buy a lot of DDR2 memory right away, and I have 768 mb of DDR right now.
10. It should include a Gigabit LAN card to have when everyone goes to it or something I can plug in a Gigabit LAN card to in the future.

You need to up the dollar amount a bit.


$200 will barely buy a good dual core AMD 64 X2 socket AM2 processor. Anything less will come back to bite you in the future.

newegg.com:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+(65W) Windsor 2.0GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 (AD03800CUBOX): US$149.99

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+(65W) Windsor 2.2GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 (ADO4200CUBOX): US$179.99

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ Windsor 2.6GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 (ADA5200CSBOX): US$413.00

Better prices at zipzoomfly.com, but just try to get those a--holes on the phone when something goes wrong. And email isn’t an option.


The nicest motherboard I have built on recently is the Asus M2N-SLI Deluxe. US$141.99 at newegg.com. Ran CentOS4, FC5 and Suse10 nicely. Your mileage may vary.


AGP is basically dead technology now. You will need either onboard or a PCIe card.


DDR and DDR2 have different pin counts and are not compatible. And because “everyone” is upgrading to dual core, DDR2 has gotten expensive.