im hoping to build a new pc soon. i got everything pretty much picked out but theres always new stuff. anyways im not really sure how to buy a right motherboard. i found one 100 dollars more but practically the same specs and such. i plan on running a AMD X2 5200+. any suggestions for a motherboard?

Hi. It depends on what you want to do, and what you want out of it. For example, if you want to overclock, I'd say hands down that the DFI Lanparty motherboard is the best AM2 overclocking motherboard out (runs around $200 give or take). Asus is close behind. If you want an okay motherboard with just a few overclocking options (but still works well), then you can go the cheaper route--like ASRock (Asus's "budget" line of motherboards). I have a socket 939--DUAL939SATA2--I believe there is an AM2 equivalent--which also uses the KIA chipset. I am up in the air as to whether nforce boards are better--this one does all I want it to and more (except my overclock has stopped at 2.6GHz--probably need to go with better cooling, plus the VCORE only goes to 1.4v on my MoBo). The only thing it doesn't have is dual PCI-E x16.

So it all depends on what you want to do. If you don't want to overclock, then don't bother getting an overclocking motherboard (like DFI and Asus). But you might want to in the future, and it's easier to build your computer with the right mobo than swapping it out later. I hope the build goes well.

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AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ (@2.6 GHz)
2x1GB OCZ Spec. Ops. PC3200
ASRock Dual939-SATA2
Antec TruePower 550 watt PSU
80 GB Seagate Barracuda SATA 7200 rpm
300 GB Seagate Barracuda SATA 7200 rpm
120 GB Maxtor ATA/133 7200 rpm
ATI Radeon x1950 Pro

thanks ill have to check them out...i wasnt comfortable with the one i picked out lol