building a computer

I’ve been out of the loop for a bit, but I’m looking to build an inexpensive computer. What I am looking for is a good motherboard/processor combo. I would like to run Windows 7 (64 bit) and have some HTPC capabilities. What is good now for Motherboards and processors?

Well a 35w sempron CPU is 35 dollars, the dual core AMD cpu is 50 dollars.

If you want to build an inexpensive computer, you won’t be able to do it for as cheap as buying a new dell, unless you get a free copy of windows 7 or something like that.

I just priced out to build a cheap tower for a friend, with the basics and it came to $280 without windows 7.

New machines with windows are about the same, some of them come with a monitor also.

You don’t need a super expensive video card to do HTPC. I have a dual core intel setup here with 4gb ram and a 30 dollar HTPC hard with HDMI out and it does great for what I want it to do.

I don’t need that cheap. I am thinking about $300-$400 for everything. What’s a decent processor and MoBo nowadays?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010340343&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&Order=REVIEWS

It is simple to spend 300 on a CPU.

who spends money on operating systems? just saying. and just do some pricing on newegg and such, put together a few different builds and see what will work best. or even look into the barebone builds that are started for you