Need a cheap, but high quality mobo for my new system

[sash1]

I'm getting a Kyro II and a fast (probably a 1GHz Tbird or more) processor.

The only problem is, I have a tight budget, and I need a good motherboard (that is cheap as well) to hold me over till next year. I can spend up to $350 w/o shipping (so don't count the shipping charges), but the motherboard seems to be pretty expensive. I need a good one, but I also know that I need a good processor to make the kyro II run faster in the high-end games (which I will play, but my VD2 can't handle them ). It is kind of a toss up.

Would it be worth it to get a Duron 750 and try to OC to 1GHz? Or would it be better to get a Tbird (which is faster and better because of its L2 cache size - thus it improves performance)? Any suggestions would be great. Either get a cheap (but quality) motherboard, or a slow processor and overclock.

Note: I will be buying all new stuff next summer, when I have a much better budget . I am just concerned with the longevity of a Duron 750, and if it will give me the TnL support I need from it. I don't want to have to get a new processor next year, just a new video card and motherboard.

Thanks in advance, everyone

 

[Athlon4all]

I'd go ahead and get the Duron 750 and oc it to 1GHz. Much better value, it's a $25 CPU! On the mobo, I'd look for if it doesn't matter on the Fsb support, an old A7V board. I just saw a few in the $70-90 range. It was a great board in it's time, and with plenty of ocing options for ocing the Duron, except for the fsb being limited to pretty much 112MHz because of the KT133 chipset, but you should be able to get around it. Oh and Duron's should still be supported in boards next year, AMD's stickin to Socket A so it should be fine.

 

[sash1]

<< I'd go ahead and get the Duron 750 and oc it to 1GHz. Much better value, it's a $25 CPU! On the mobo, I'd look for if it doesn't matter on the Fsb support, an old A7V board. I just saw a few in the $70-90 range. >>


Where can I get those for such a cheap price. I really only know of newegg and mwave. But neweggs 750 is $33, and neither of them have and A7V. Where should I look?

Thanks

 

[Athlon4all]

Look at Pricewatch.com for lowest prices on computer hardware. You'll have to look hard for A7V, only a few are still selling it. I was just saying that 750's are in the $25 range, and $33 close enough, but cheapest Duron 750 is $28, and there about 5 places selling A7V's (Some used), at AC Micro A7V sells for $75. btw, Pricewatch is a great site. I used it to find the mobo, CPU, and Case I used in my recent Rig.

 

[sash1]

yeah, ac micro has a 1.5 resellerating, so I think I'll pass on there.

I'll look on pricewatch, thanks.

 

[vampiro]

You might also want to take a look at the EPoX 8KTA3. It is only $89 from this place. I don't know how reputable they are, but it is a nice board and fairly cheap to boot.

 

[sash1]

Bunta has a 6.0 (very good) and 321 people have rated it, so I think it's safe to buy off there.

Newegg has the same prices (just about, more or less), so I dunno. Newegg is better, AFAIK

 

[vampiro]

The EPoX board is very good. IT got serveral editors choice awards when it first came out. Hope you are happy with whichever one you get.

Vampiro