Is this system any good (performance-wise and stability-wise)?

[PieDerro]

OK. I have been researching for the last week and the crunch has finally come. I have to upgrade my ageing PII333@412 sometime, and now is the best time before University (I'm in Australia ) starts.

Please let me know if these parts work nicely together... constructive criticism will be treasured

Case: Lian Li PC10 Mid Tower with 350W Topower Power Supply
Motherboard: Abit KT7A (non-raid) don't want RAID
CPU: AMD 1.2GHz TBird (overclocked eventually)
Memory: 256MB Crucial PC133 CAS2
CPU Cooler: I dunno. We don't get much choice here, but I'm guessing either an Alpha or a Taisol.
Video: Hercules Prophet II GTS Pro 64MB (Great value at the moment)
HDD: IBM Deskstar 75GXP 30G and IBM Deskstar 75GXP 20G
Sound: Diamond MX300 (already have it) suggestions??... nothing expensive
Some 48X CD-Drive... as long as it reads CD-R and CD-RW.
Using my old Iomega ZipCD Burner (what is better in terms of reliability?)

Umm.... that's about it. I'll use my 17in monitor atm, might upgrade in the future.

How does this config sound? I want performance AND reliability...

 

[Biggs]

Unfortunately, you have to ditch the sound card if you plan to use Win2K.

 

[MCS]

Go for an SB Live! for the sound card.

Rest looks good to me!

 

[Biggs]

Or Philips Acoustic Edge.

 

[PieDerro]

Thanks so far Biggs and MCS.

SB-Live good is it?
I don't really wanna run 2000 yet, I'm sticking to 98se for the time being. I love my games!

Keep the criticism coming!!

 

[JimMc]

Actually the MX300 should be fine under Win98, it's W2K where you'll have trouble. I really don't see a SB Live as much of an upgrade over it. The Phillips may be worth it, up to you on how much slightly better sound is worth.

I'd opt for a MSI Pro 2A MB over an Abit, better overall MB and it should be a little cheaper.

If you get a retail TBird you may not need to upgrade the HS/F, otherwise it is hard to beat an Alpha.

 

[PieDerro]

JimMc,

But the Abit is a KT133A chipset, which runs the FSB at and over 133MHz... a must have

Keep the comments coming!!

 

[shiznut123]

keep the mx300. its good sound card