I have $225 to spend on a new Mobo/CPU combo.. Please Help...

[IamDavid]

Quite simple,
I have ~$225 to spend on a new combo... I do not game or overclock but I do convert many videos.. I need it to use my old DDR 400 or 333...

So what do ya think? I have been out of the hardware scene for a long time now.. My last CPU purchase was a XP 2400 🙁 Now there are just to many choices..

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I'll assume you need an AGP slot, right?

Socket 754:
soltek motherboard
athlon64 2800+ cpu
total: $210 shipped

or same motherboard but 3000+
total: $235

Socket 939:
chaintech motherboard
A64 3000+
total: $225

 

[Ike0069]

If you don't game, the S754 is the way to go IMO. The above is a great combo.

 

[stackingreasyBBs]

Um, you can game fine on a S754 system with the right components. And I agree, that would be a great combo.

 

[airfoil]

Check out options here. You get a couple of decent games free in the process.

 

[Nohr]

Chaintech VNF3-250 (S754) - $74 + $2 shipping
A64 3000+ 2GHz Retail - $146
Total: $222

 

[IamDavid]

So the 64's are good for video editing/conversion? There are so many benchmarks and reviews everywhere I can't make heads or tales out of it..

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Actually encoding video is one of the areas where the Pentium 4 shines.

I would still go with an A64 myself due to better performance in games and 64 bit capability, but a Pentium 4 might be a good option too.

I don't know much of anything about P4 motherboards, but this might be a good alternative for you.
2.8 ghz Pent4 520
motherboard for it
total = $225

I'm not even sure if that will be better than an A64 option, but if you look at benchmarks on the programs you use, a 2.8 pent4 is what you should be comparing to a 3000+ A64 in benchmarks.