SuperBiiz has the AMD ADX250OCK23GM Athlon II X2 250 Regor 3.0GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor (OEM) for $49 - $5 off with coupon code TIFA8005 = $44 with free shipping. Features Direct Connect Architecture, high-bandwidth low-latency integrated memory controller, CPU power management technologies, and Enhanced Virus Protection-enabled.
Aged tech now, but plenty for a office/email/web or HTPC on the cheap.
The retail box Intel Celeron G540 will beat the hell out of this CPU for about $41 after coupon TOPTECH and shipping, here: http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=G540BOX
how much for an intel motherboard vs amd?
it is still too much for this dual core without heatsink and fan.
It is about equal to a quadcore amd price.
^ then you get the quadcore and still want to buy a different heatsink... $++