and for processor id go with a 2100 ($89, what i have) or a 2400 ($125) they are the most economical considering the ones right above them. also from pricewatch.com i forget what chipset the k3a is, but if you could, id go for the 8rda /8rda+ the first is $88 and the plus is $122 they have nforce2 chipsets. ive never used one of those boards, but thats what i ordered for the computer im building for my friend. also the giga-byte ga-7vax is a good board, its what i have, its stable, 6-channel sound, onboard LAN, usb 2.0, and 8x agp