Please help me build a computer

[awallen23]

I just put together a computer with a LanParty nf4-slidr and AMD socket 939 processor, for the second time (first time motherboard was bad, this time it looks like motherboard is bad again or more than likely processor is bad). I'm thinking about RMA'ing those both and starting over. I've heard a lot of people talking about the Core 2 Duo processors lately. Would you guys recommend that over socket 939?

I'm not a big time gamer, but I do play a ton of online poker and my current system (POS Dell) slows down a lot when I'm playing multiple tables (like 4-8) at a time.

The system case I already purchased is just an X-Infinity ATX case, seems decent but please let me know if you have any other suggestions.

Memory: 2 x 1GB DDR333 (PC2700)
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 400 GB SATA

Basically I'm looking for a high quality motherboard and processor, for in the $300-400 range total. Please let me know what you guys recommend. I've heard many good things about ASUS mobo's but not sure which ones. If you think anything else needs upgraded please let me know. Thanks again guys!

[Alaron]

Core 2 Duos are excellent chips, I would recommend using one. You will not however be able to recycle your RAM, C2D's use DDR2, not older DDR. But that being said, you can still get a good CPU/Mobo/RAM combo for your budget.

Using www.newegg.com prices:

Core 2 Duo e6300 $183
1GB Corsair ValueSelect DDR2-667 $70
Asus P5B Motherboard $123

Thats $376. You can add another GB of RAM down the road.

[Staren]

I would probobly go for a C2D 6300 and an Asus P5B as well. Should work great for you.

It very well may be that your 939 motherboard and processor are fine, but that you don't have compatible RAM. It used to be a fairly common topic back when socket 939 was the standard. DFI nForce4 boards where known to be very picky about parts. I wouldn't have suggested that board to anyone that didn't know exactly what they where getting into.

[glc]

DDR333 is not recommended at all for Socket 939. It has to be run on a divider.

[awallen23]

Thanks for all your help guys. I'm just about to order the P5B, Core 2 Duo, and RAM. I do have a question about the Corsair DDR2 memory... You guys recommended the DDR2 667, but on newegg for the P5B board it shows DDR2 800 under the specs. Does that mean I should go with the 800 or will 667 be just fine? Thanks once again for helping out the computer newbie.

[blue60007]

DDR2-667 works well for a non-overclocking situation. You can put DDR2-800 in but you don't necessarily have to.

[awallen23]

Thanks Blue, I appreciate it.

Adam