Ok so far we have selected our case, power supply and motherboard the next step is to select a CPU (central processing unit) chip for the motherboard.  The CPU chip selection is based on your motherboard selection.  In the specifications for the motherboard you will the following parameters for your CPU. 

• Socket type
  • AMD
    • Socket A (462)
    • Socket 754
    • Socket AM2
    • Socket 939
  • Intel
    • LGA 775
    • Socket 370
    • Socket 478
    • Socket 479
• Processor Supported
  • AMD
    • Athlon XP
    • Athlon
    • Duron
    • Sempron 
    •  Athlon 64
    • Athlon 64 FX 
    • Athlon 64 Quad FX
    • Athlon 64 X2 
    • Geode NX
  • INTEL
    • Core Duo
    • Core 2 Duo
    • Pentium M
    • Pentium D
    • Pentium 4  
    • Celeron D
    • Core 2 Extreme  
    • Pentium EE
    • Pentium Quad-core
    • Pentium 3 Tualatin 
    • Pentium 4 Prescott 
    • Pentium 4
    • Pentium D
    • Pentium 4 HT
    • Celeron D

For a basic computer I recommend finding the processors that use the socket you require then arrange the list by order of lowest price to highest price.   You will notice that the prices have points where they jump quite a bit for the newer processors.  For basic computing you wont need the highest priced processor but one that will perform the tasks that you require.  Select a processor that is in the medium range of prices this will ensure that you are getting the most processor for your money.  By chosing one in this range it gives you the future possibility of upgrading your computer to a faster processor when the need arises.  I have created a page with selections for a basic computer to give you an idea of how to select the basic components of a computer.

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