well intel is only taking over with their new core 2 duo. the cheapeset one at newegg is 230$... an average mobo for it will cost ~100$ asus is a good brand http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList....=&maxPrice= so this is the best performing chip out right now. now you could go pentium D which isnt rly better than the amd dual cores... but if i were you i would save up some money and wait for prices to drop a little, unless you need the computer right now.