[insomniacRA]

im getting a new pc and need some recommendations from you guys
- im not going to overclock
- pc is for games, hd movies

which motherboard should i get if i want to get intel e7400 or e7500?
whats a good graphic card below $200? that can handle most of the newer games like COD, Bioshock etc etc
is a $200 Asus motherboard that much better than a $100 MSI board?

thanks for the help

[roastpuff]

1. Something recent, like a G41-based or P43-based motherboard. Whatever suits your budget, and go with a mainstream brand. No need to splurge if you're not O/Cing. Something like this (http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=36213&vpn=GA-EP43-UD3L&manufacture=Gigabyte&promoid=1069) would be my preference.
2. 4870 1GB is quite cheap nowadays, or a GTX260; both around $160 before tax. Both will handle new games OK if you're not expecting extreme performance or have a huge screen. 4870 1GB (http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=35105&promoid=1069) and GTX260-Core216 (http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=35504&vpn=896-P3-1257-AR&manufacture=eVGA&promoid=1069).
3. Not necessarily.

[insomniacRA]

sweet, thanks dude

[asian_XL]

if you are not planning to overclock....even a $70 G31 will do the job.

[Jmac]

I usually go with motherboards in the $125-$150 price range. They generally have all the basic features the more expensive motherboards have without the bells and whistles. When you start getting below $100, you start compromising a fair amount, IME.

[roastpuff]

Well, if you're not going to be overclocking there's no point, as the P43-based board I pointed out has most of the stuff you'll want, including Firewire (heh who actually uses that anymore besides video editors?), 6 SATA connectors etc. Gigabyte's also a good brand with a good rep. I use Gigabyte boards nowadays for my builds and they're worked very well.

Besides, it's a budget build.

[insomniacRA]

as long as its reliable and can last for at least 2-3 years, im good

[roastpuff]

as long as its reliable and can last for at least 2-3 years, im good
It should be able to do that just fine. :)