Motherboard preference for Intel Conroe

[Bob]

I've seen a number of ads with the ASROCK MB and the Intel Conroe CPU
but can't find a newsgroup on that particular brand. I want to build a
newer suystem with Windows XP Media Center 2005 (already have a copy)
and would like to go with the dual core CPU. From what I've read the
Intel Conroe is supposed to the best between them and AMD. I know I'll
probably get flamed but that's life. What I'd like is suggestions for
a motherboard and the Intel Conroe CPU.
Thanks,
Bob

 

[R. McCarty]

I've built 3-4 CD2 systems, from State of the Art to an economy model
Here's what I'd recommend based on usage needs:
Gaming/Overclocking Asus P5W DH Deluxe $250 *Hard to Find
Mid-Level, No OC'ing Intel DG965RY $120 Brand New
Economy System Asus P5L-MX $80 ( Only 2 RAM Slots )

There are so many new entries for C2D and as of yet, I've not had a chance
to build with Gigabyte or AsRock.
I just delivered an Entry level machine to a customer over the weekend. Got
an email on how it was working with a single word answer "Awesome".

 

[Bob]

I've conviced myself to go with the ASUS P5W DH Deluxe motherboard.
Still a little undecided which duo core I want but noticed that it
took 240 pin memory or 184 pin memory.? I'm a little at loss here to
know which is better other than I want matched pairs of whatever. The
comes the question of a video card. I would think that would go in the
PCI Express slot. Need a little help getting all this together if you
don't mind.
Thanks,
Bob