thx much for both of your help. I'm starting to get second doubts about whether i should spend so much on the conroe and motherboard. I found this deal

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...Tab=0&NoMapp=0

for $99 for the AMD 64 3200 and motherboard, it looks like a steal. Considering that I want to use this pc for games for the next 4 years or so, will it be a negative to step backwards for an older but much cheaper deal as opposed to going conroe?