nForce 3 mobo, can't run OS past WinXP?

[Insert_Nickname]

OK, thank you!!! So, if I get your meaning, I'm better off going Intel on this. Just choose from the list that comes up in this search, posted by Cerb in post #10? (the link pasted at the bottom of this post) My first thought is to go Asus. I've read a lot of stuff and people seem to have better luck with Asus in general, but I suppose it depends on the mobo and there's a certain luck factor. I've had MSI and Gigabyte and others, had some not so great experiences, dead mobo killing my components, that kind of thing. I've never had an Asus mobo system... I'll read reviews at Newegg. Suggestions appreciated!

So long as you stick with ASUS, Gigabyte, Asrock or MSI, board quality is not an issue. Its not really an issue with the low-cost boards either, but those tend to have far fewer "extra" features.

Find a board with the features you need and go with that. There really isn't that much more to it.

The choice of CPU is another matter entirely, and almost deserves its own thread. The answer will depend on several factors, including (but not limited to) cost, what level of performance you need/expect, power-consumption, platform requirements etc.

 

[Cerb]

If the OP has the budget, an i3 would do just fine. Much more important would be making sure there is OS support for all 3 cards.