After 5 years on the same system, I am having to upgrade my entire system because my main drive failed over the weekend. So, not knowing much about current technology, I've looked up some info on NewEgg and asked a few questions at the local Fry's.

This machine is our home desktop that the whole family uses (oldest kid is 7). See my sig for what I currently have. We don't do a lot of heavy gaming, mainly internet stuff, photo editing, video capture, and home office software. So, a high-powered machine is not needed.

I was looking at the AMD triple-core X3 processors and motherboards on NewEgg. But, when I went to Fry's to look at them in person, the worker there told me that I wouldn't need anything more (based on the 2nd paragraph above) than a dual-core X2 processor. It looks as though the X3 processor, motherboards, and DDR3 (most mobos look to take the DDR3) add about $100-$200 to the total price of the X2 processor, mobo, and DDR2.

What is the general opinion on suggestions for my "new" system? I found out I'm also going to need a new video card, hard drive (mine are IDE currently), case and power supply (600W+, really?!?), and DVD burner (again, IDE currently). Not sure about the sound card. I hear the new mobos have pretty good onboard sound capability.

I appreciate all of the help. Now I know what I'll be doing over the Thanksgiving holidays!