"best" processor?

[madscientist]

of all the cpu's released in the last few years (anything pentium 3 class and above), which one had the best efficiency of power compared to heat, power consumption etc ?

i want to build a mid range computer, but i don't need a massive gaming rig and i would prefer to build it out of as much parts as i have lying about or can get cheaply off ebay.

also, is it possible to put a laptop processor into a desktop?
has anyone seen a chart of socket types for mobile processors? i can only find one for desktops.

[naptownman]

AMD mobile Athlon processors are killers for overclocking. They consume about 45 watts which is low for almost any CPU and the front side busses have plenty of room for increases along with the fact the CPU comes unlocked. When you couple it with the right board and memory, you can get performance to CPU's that are almost twice the price.

[fishybawb]

There are even 35W Mobile Bartons about... The Mobile models are intended for laptops, but work in any desktop that'll take regular Bartons.

[madscientist]

what kind of socket do they use?

what exactly am i looking for in a new motherboard to support it?

[scottluebke2003]

you are simply looking for a Socket A motherboard, but I would highly suggest it be based on the Nforce 2 chipset. A cheap board that will overclock well is the Biostar M7NCD Pro, which goes for $65