Hi,
I just need some expert advice from the motherboard experts. I’m looking to get a new computer which I will build myself. I’m A+ certified and had been a technician for a year before being layed-off from the bad economy here in US. Ok, I have been away from the latest PC hardware area and need some help from you guys.

I am planning on buying an AMD XP 1800 processor for $105. Now the question is what motherboard to get for it. Motherboards were never my strongest point of knowledge.
I want a motherboard without onboard sound or video. I will get my own sound and AGP.

I think I will get the Mid ATX 300W case.
Here are my options for the motherboard:

ABIT
KX7 $149
AT7 $169

ASUS
A7N $189
A7V333 $149
P4S533 $149
A7M266DM $259 (Not an option cause I feel it’s way over my budget)

I feel pretty safe with these two brand names, I may be wrong. But with the AMD XP 1800 processor, which one of these motherboards would you recommend? I ask you guys rather than the sales guy cause I know he will persuade me (poor in college) to buy the more expensive one when I really would not need it. So I came to you guys for help.

I would like to put a fairly decent AGP card, something like a GF4 MX or maybe a GF4 Ti4200 ($199.00). I really need this computer for my sound and recording. I will probably put in SB Audigy Platinum on it as I save more money.

Will have:
Phone modem
Connected to a network with 2 other computers (NIC card)
Iomega 650 CDR-W
40 gig Maxtor HD
Win XP pro

If you need more info on other hardware I will have on it, plz ask. If you know of websites where I can buy my processor and motherboard cheaper than the price I listed, plz let me know. It really would help me out. I have a 400mhz Celeron right now and anyone in college who are paying for their own education knows how poor I am.

Thnx for any advice or comments.