Motherboard help

[benhar]

I need some advice on motherboards:

I am re-building my computer, and have recently switched loyalties to AMD. I am looking at an Athlon 1.4GHz and ECS K7VZA motherboard combo for $170 at pricewatch. Is the K7VZA a good motherboard, or should I look at something else?
Also, since my old computer is a Dell Dimension with a Pentium II, I'll probably be needing a new case. Are there any recommended brands/models for $40-$60?

Thanks

 

[benhar]

Scratch that; same question applies, but I am now looking at a K7S5A cpu/motherboard combo for $180

 

[Boonesmi]

i buy most of my stuff at www.newegg.com good prices, and good service

as for a case the enlight 7237 is a good case the one with a 300w power supply is $50, one thing to note that powersupply is only approved up to 1.2 or 1.33 ghz(cant remember which, but i think 1.2) that doesnt mean it wont run a 1.4ghz, just that its not guaranteed.

as for the motherboard you asked about, it would probably work ok, but its really not one of the best choices, first off it uses the kt133a chipset (which was a great chipset in its day) but its getting pretty out dated for a new system to be based on, it also uses older pc133 ram, and not new ddr ram (with the current prices of ddr ram its a good time to switch, 256mb is less then $35)

the current best boards are probably based on the amd 760 chipset (but.... the new via, sis and nvidia chipsets are just around the corner) heck the sis is already here but limited to an ecs board which im not real fond of.

the kt266 chipset isnt a bad choice either (to bad the kt266a isnt here yet) and these cost a lot less then amd 760 boards, epox 8kha is a nice board and cheap

 

[benhar]

Hmm... that reminds me of another question... if I want to use 2 case fans, run 2 hard drives plus one CDROM, one CD-RW/DVD, one Zip drive, and the floppy drive, would the Enlight with a 340 power supply be enough? That may be a dumb question, but this is my first time building a computer so I'm learning as I go.

Thanks

 

[Boonesmi]

if the powersupply is on the approved list for a 1.2ghz, then it will be able to run 1.2ghz with multiple hard drive/case fans/etc and it will most likely run 1.4ghz with no problems, but if you start adding tons of other stuff you might run into problems

the enlight 340w is approved to 1.4ghz (and maybe higher, wont know till 1.5's come out, and then the approved list will be updated) so... yes enlight 340 should be able to run a 1.4ghz with multiple hard drives/fan/etc/etc

here is a link to amd's page of approved power supplies link

 

[benhar]

Thanks