If you shop around you can get a IWill XP333R which supports IDE 133 on board, has on board audio, Raid, DDR memory for around $120. Also has extensive BIOS fiddle capability if you like to overclock.

Some models of Asus (for AMD stuff) do not support the T-Bird chip, just the newer XP. Might as well avoid the models with an AMR riser slot too. Ram compatibility....but this is stuff you know. All kindsa onboard stuff now, like 1394, USB 2.0, 5.1 surround sound...etc. $200 buys quite a bit.
Rest assured that they all seem to work. I love my Epox, my friend loves his Soyo, Asus seems to be very popular, Abit, IWill.....the list goes on. You may hear bad things about the VIA equipped mobo's......AMD has good chipsets....nVidia is doing well.
I wouldn't pay much attention to VIA horror stories anymore.

happy shopping

Billyboy,

Is the IWill XP333R what you use? I have never heard of that brand but that is surely not saying much! How does it compare to say a Soyo or Asus?

Also, should I just spring now for a new processor? I have had wonderful results with my Tbird but since I'm upgrading the Board should I just go ahead and upgrade to the XP series CPU? Or can I find a board that will run my TBird and be compatible with the XP in the future? Thanks again. -Shon

Yes, what I currently have for my fastest machine. Quality wise it is up there with ASUS. One word of caution on the XP AMU CPU's. They fudge the name to make you think the speed is faster than what it is. For example I got a XP 1900+ and the actual speed without overclocking is a little over 1600. Just a marketing stunt.

review:

http://www.motherboards.org/articlesd/motherboard-reviews/1048_1.html

If you get one, get version 2.1 or later. Since this is a new model the original boards may be less stable.

Yeah, that AMD rating is supposedly working well for them. I hate it, but....more power to them if it helps sales. It is confusing. You have to go hunting around to find out/or rememer what the actual speed is for every new model they release. I guess the XP 2400 is (almost) available. Price is prob'ly rediculous.
Check Newegg.com I believe I saw the XP 1800 (1.53GHz) for under $130....somewhere.

Hay, Shon...

I just upgraded to an XP 2100+ for about $140 at General NanoSystems
in Minneapolis. (www.generalnanosystems.com)

I just built my computer last week, and got all the parts there.

Another place to look at for info is Tom's Hardware. (www.tomshardware.com)

Thanks Stiffler,

Yeah, I know General Nanosystems quite well. They are great there. Say, what MoBo are you using? I am considering going to the XP line of athalons but the MoBo is needed, shall we say, immediatly!

If you're wanting cheaper, check out ECS. They also offer boards compatible with both SDRAM & DDR, if you've got the older stuff, which can save you a bit of money now that you can then spend on a faster CPU, & upgrade the memory later.

Sr C...

I went with the BioStar M7VIF mobo. GNS suggested it, and I went with it. It's probly not the best mobo out there, but it has everthing I wanted and need right now.

Everything is working great now, and I'm happy with it, but do a little research first on the mainboard (I didn't).

It was very satisfing building my own system, and I learned alot.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Just a bit of info on what I did:

I bought a case, motherboard, DDR, and the CPU. Then I installed all my parts from my old compter (firewire card, modem, video card, etc...)

I cost me about $350, and now I can upgrade my kids computer with my old parts.

Oh...mikkie has a point...I did get a faster CPU over memory (at the time), and I will just add more ram when I can afford it.

Also, my mobo will take SDRAM and DDR Ram.