Basic pupose of the system:---
(1) word processing (2)a bit of cd writing (3)surfing the web (4) fairly long voice/ written chat almost daily with web cam.(5)occassional music playing.
(6)no gaming except solitaire/chess

shall appreciate very much some recommendations:-

mobo--- AMD OR GIGABYTE or INTEL (not very happy with asus though have tried only one-p4ge mx)

mobo chipset--intel or some other

Processor---around 2.5 Ghz--- celeron or sempron

power supply-- thinking of 400W

on board video or stand alone (any pros/cons for web cam?)

speakers--not  hi fi but decent sound output. hereagain on board audio or stand alone sound card?
RAM- 512 MB

have a samsung monitor and atx case with a case fan and will make do

finally the million dollar qoestion--o/s win xp or load win9x for time being and await "VISTA" MID 96?

BUDGET-- AROUND $500.(feasible?)

TIA----good day---Venkat

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