What is a great motherboard for Intel Core 2 Duo E8500?

I an planning to build a PC around the Intel Core 2 Duo E8500. Most techies recommend Asus P5Q Pro for the E8500. I am just looking to compare a few more brands/models before I make a decision.

I use my PC for Web surfing, watching streaming and downloaded videos (but I do not make videos,) and gaming. Mostly, I surf the Web and watch streaming videos — they make up 80 to 90 percent of my computer activities. I will use Windows XP Pro and avoid Windows Vista (and Linux/Unix) with the new PC.

I intend to play upcoming RPGs (e.g., Mass Effect 2, Dragon Age, Diablo III) and strategy titles (i.e., StarCraft II, Heroes of Might and Magic VI.) I definitely do NOT and will NOT overclock the CPU.

I want a high-quality motherboard, which should not cost more than 0. It should have a moderate number of slots for expansion. Longevity is a very important consideration: it should last for at least five years. (My current PC uses an original Intel motherboard. It is over seven years old and still working fine, and I am extremely happy with it. That is the type of longevity I want.)

Please recommend.


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Video games with complex magic?

My boyfriend REALLY loves Eternal Darkness : Sanity’s Requiem and he played Dragon Age for a week straight till he beat it. He likes games that have complex magic systems that involve combining spells to make more powerful ones. The more complex, the more he likes them.
We have a gamecube, A PS2, a really powerful PC, and soon a wii. Any of those platforms are acceptable.
Also, is it true that the PC release of most games have better graphics than the console counterparts? I think I read that somewhere.


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