My "existing" mobo is a 2001 HP Pavilion 7955....and it already has firewire....but it's not feasible to upgrade this rig......and I want to give this one to my father-in-law to use.

I want to assemble a new (my first) computer and it must have firewire.

My next purchase is the mobo and I'm looking for assistance on what mobo to buy.

Appreciate your input debro.

Does it have to be an AMD system?
The Core2Duo's perform better than the AMD X2's for the power consumption (and hence heat).
If anyone finds a better performing Core2Duo+Mobo combination, rather than the same price AMDx2+Mobo combination is that still ok?
The Core2Duo's can also be seriously overclocked to a level that most AMD X2 processors can not rival.

It doesn't have to be AMD, but I would prefer it be since I've already bought the AMD processor.

I'm not going to be overclocking it anyway.....or playing games on it......just some minor video editing.....hence the firewir (my editing hardware connects via firewire).

Can you still help me? Seems like you can probably help me. Sure would appreciate it.

Do you guys think AMD is going to be able to keep up with Intel processors?

PC World seems to think maybe not......just wondered what you thought.

@rolling56 I just finished a core2duo 4300 and it was the first intel. All my others were amd. I was just curious about how much pressure to put to the cpu heatsink fan. Amd is entirely different and you know for sure when it clicks it's there but the Intel just says push. How do you know it's fastened correctly and if you want to remove it for a better cooling fan what is the best way not to damage anything. Info is an amazing thing and i could use dome. By the way haven't been back to Sam's yet.

Johnny my CPU heatsink/fan has push pin type that clicks when you have it on right. Also you can look at the back of the board and see if it's all the way in. There should be directions with yours?

When you take it off you just twist the push pin to release it.

Thanks much I thought I had it on right(temps ok) but I also bought a better cooler and was a little leary of changing it out. My paperwork showed little arrow things on the push pins and they were supposed to be in a certain direction if I read it right But the eyes aren't what they used to be. By the way thats an awfully beautiful machine you built. Ditto on the drool thing.

Yep certain direction and all that etc... and thanks. I really like it it's been a work horse it's amazing what these C2D's can do!

johnnyd, why did you switch to intel? Just wondering.

Have you built one using the 3800 Windsor? If so, what mobo did you use with it.....and did it turn out well? I already have the processor, HD's, SDRAM, but still need a mobo, video card, and XP operating system.

I'm buying parts for my first computer assembly. Any thoughts you can share with me? I'd appreciate hearing from you about your experiences using AMD processors.

The Intel Core2 processors are much faster than the AMD rated equivalents.

I own all AMD CPU's in my PC's though.
My last overhaul was the X2 3800+ (S939) in December 2005.

I'm still running DDR(v1) ram

I sure you meant to say.....the "Intel" Core2 processors.....are much faster.....debro.

Thanks for the input. My (now old) 3800 is a slot AM2 processor.

Aye, the 3800 needs ebaying ... you can get very recent AMD X2 (AM2) cpu's dirt cheap now :|

The better choice is a low end Intel Core2 + serious overclocking.

Ain't that the truth. About 4 months ago I paid $130 for my AMD 3800 socket AM2 now it's on sale for $75 and less.....who knew the price would drop so fast? Not me, if I had, I would have waited.......

How much is the intel Core2?

@burnselk I had just always stayed with AMD but when The new Intel got faster and cheaper I had to build one. I still love all the AMD based ones I still have. It's the love of the hobby don't you know.

Hey rolling excellent graphical presentation thanks.

Me too.

@TCAS i wondered when you would come across my new build. Thanks man

Nice choice of case and mobo, which happen to be the exact same as I have except for the fact that I didn't get the WiFi version of the P5B Deluxe so I don't have the little antenna/AP dongle.

I don't use it i just got it with it in case i needed it. We have talked before about you having the same case

Don't know if you noticed but i'm getting a couple Plextors soon.

I wouldn't have bought the mobo with the Wifi inbuilt.
802.11G has a limited life expectancy
802.11N is right around the corner - 248Mb/s ... wooot!
Of course, you'll probably upgrade the PC by then, and it's backwards compatible anyway

The WiFi module isn't really built in, it plugs into one of the USB headers on the board and can be removed.

I was expecting that soon or later you would build the new toy but not that soon, so you have made me jealous to go ahead and build one that tops yours.

@rolling56 My mb came with overclocking proggy Ai booster which i used to oc to 20%(my first oc attempt and it say it went 2.167. That sound about right ? Temps went down to 31-32 degrees from 50-52 just with a Freezer Pro cooling fan. Neaty yo.

I've never used the Ai Booster. I just bumped up my FSB and put a little more voltage to the processor and RAM in the bios.

How you like it so far.

@rolling56 Very well indeed but as you can tell I have a lot to learn about ocing