Here assuming limiting choice to 754:
There have been reviews of some 754 motherboards with Nforce3 250 GB (with GB), hope should be on the street very soon.
The MSI K8N Neo is one that has received good reviews and it has x5 multiplier for the HT bus.
Other good motherboards may be coming soon, if can wait a little bit more.
I think for good
price performance,
- a 754 2800+ with CG rev, 512 KB L2, NewCastle core (CPU model AX), under $180 (?), target overclock to 2.5 GHz+
- or a 754 3000+ (other as the 2800+) which has x10 multiplier for overclocking
- a 754 motherboard w/ 250 GB with 5X HT setting, such as one above
- SLK-948 (or wait for the heat pipe version)
- 2 x 512 MB memory
(IMO, this combo is coming to a point that it is considered a better choice than a Nforce2 w/ mobile Barton for a NEW build, even considering price).
For around $100 more
- a 754 3200+ with CG rev, 1 MB L2, DTR (CPU model AR)
- other same as above
- would get above 2 - 10% better average performance, in game, ....
If can wait, there is always the 939 to wait for, ...
This link have some more info about motherboards, chipsets, CPU, various multiplier setting, CPU model numbers, benchmark analysis, ...
A64 CPUs, chipsets, motherboards