Standard, will this rig be OK thread

[So]

Ok, I am going to do the traditional "Does this look good, before I build it?" thread. I apologize beforehand for the length.

First I will state my priorities:
1. Stability - I am not running a server or anything, I just expect my PC to be able to run stably for a few days at least w/o any problems, under Win XP Pro.
2. Price - I am on a fairly limited budget for this upgrade, so I can't to dual processors or anything :-/ .
3. Speed - I like FPSs, so the more performance, the better however, mentioned stability is a bigger concern than speed (I had 686b problems back in May, that caused me to go back to my KT7-Raid)

What I do:
1. Gaming: FPSs such as RTCW and Ghost Recon, along w/ Tribes 2; Strategy games such as Civ. III and AOK.
2. Office apps - some web design and a lot of paper writing.
3. Web surfing
Obviously, 2 and 3 don't require massive performance, and what I have now is more than enough. The real reason that I'm doing this is because I want to put together another system.

Essentially, this will be a system overhaul, not a completely new system.

Items to be carried over from the old rig:
NIC
IBM 34 GXP 12.6 gig HD (I don't even remember the advertised size, I'm just going with the formatted size)
Maxtor 30 - ish gig HD (7200 RPM, ATA 66)
TDK 12x CDRW
Kenwood 72x (despite the problems that many have had, mine has worked fine
.)
Elsa GF3 (original, not Ti 200 or 500)
New Items:
Epox 8kha+
512 mb Crucial ddr pc2100 (got it just before the price hikes!)
Athlon XP 1700+
Thermalright sk6
Chieftech CT1030 (newegg name for the antec SX 1030)
Maxtor D740X - 40 gig model
Promise ATA 100 card (unless someone knows where I can get the Maxtor HD/ ata133 card combo)
Turtle Beach Santa Cruz

Principal Concerns:
Like I said, stability is my first priority, the 8kha+ has been well received, so I think it is my best choice, if someone has a better suggestion I am open to it. HSF - I am probably not going to do any major over clocking immediately, so I don't need to spend the $ on an Alpha pal 8045. Case - I currently have an Addtronics 6890A. I am out of room, so I need a new case, but I may not need a new power supply. If anyone is familiar with these PS's, could you tell me if my 300w model (that came w/ the case) will keep the system running stably? How well will the one that comes w/ the Chieftech do? Finally, the sound card are there any major problems with the TBSC and the 8kha+ (or the motherboard you recommend) How well will my SBLive fair w/ the 8kha+? I am happy with the sound quality of my SBLive, so if there are no stability issues with it, I may just keep it.

Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to ask all my questions in one place, thanks for reading.

Oh, BTW - links to my current case: Addtronics 6890A
and the Chieftech model: Chieftech

Yes, I realize that It doesn't come with fans, but I have 2 80mms here however, If you feel that I will need more, tell me.

Again, thanks a lot for reading all this

 

[ed21x]

bump ^^

 

[AkumaBao]

I almost doubt you would be able to pull a system like that with a 300W PS. Even though you're not going to OC, I would suggest looking at a Themaltake Dragon Orb 3 H/S Fan. Good cooling, and you'll never over-heat. (unless you try to) As for a case, you might try a A-Top toolless case. Good case and good air flow. I saw that you mentioned the ATA 133 drive. If you want to use that try an Iwill XP333 with built in ATA133, and there is a RAID version too. You can get the non-RAID version for $107 and the RAID version for $124 here. It also comes with a 1 year warranty. You can also probably find your DDR cheaper there too. I know there 2700's are reasonable. I think that's all.

 

[So]

Thanks for the advice, I will have to look at the Iwill board closely. How stable is it?
If I probably can't run the system w/ my current 300 watt power supply, what one should I look for? Any reccommendations? I seem to recall hearing that the enermax models having trouble w/ the 8kha+ - is that correct? If so, how reliable are the sparkle models (I've heard good things about them)?

ttt for other opinions?

 

[MisterNi]

If you don't plan on doing any O/Cing then why are you even buying the SK6? That sucker's loud as hell since it comes with a delta from the manufacurer. I'd strongly suggest the Alpha Pal 8045 as it's only a few dollars more than the SK6 as seen here. And what about the Soyo Dragon+? I've been hearing great things about the board and it offers a lot of features for the price and Soyo is known for making quality boards.

 

[So]

I didn't realize that the SK6 was so loud, Thanks - I think I will go with the Alpha 8045!
How good/loud are the YS Tech fans offered here? I admittedly am rather weak in the subject of HSF's .

 

[So]

one more bump because I am impatient, and hoping to get as many opinions as possible

 

[CraigRT]

<< I think I will go with the Alpha 8045 >>



I do believe that one is loud too.. there is a trend in using the stupid screaming delta fan.. the one I had in my case for a single LAN party only and could not take it any longer.. The best cooler for the noise level AND money, is the TaiSol CGK760092 with the copper inlay.

I would not get an Enermax PSU with your setup, I would infact either buy a Sparkle, or an Antec, or even an InWin Powerman, those are all decent since i've used them all more than once.

cheers!

 

[So]

So nobody thinks that there is a chance that my current PS can handle the load?I think it is generic, but it hasn't given my trouble w/ my current rig (see my sig). If not, I guess it is a sparkle or antec supply for me.
For the HSF, there seems to be some controversy over weather or not the 8045 will clear the capacitors near the socket on the 8kha+. It seems that nobody has had a major problem with it, but I figured I might as well ask.

Yield: Do you have any links where I can find info on the Taisol heatsink?

 

[E3Art]

i think your currint PSU is fine, most of us here are power hungry and have to have the most. the fact remains that you can get by with a 250W PSU. I know i just gbuilt a AMD 1600+ with a 250 and it runs fine, so i think your 300 should be plenty.

I have an Ennermax 330 with Amd 1800+ and Epox 8kha+ no problems so far

that my humble opinion of course

 

[So]

Ok then, I guess my remaining concerns are as follows:

1. Is it worth it for me to upgrade from the SBLive! to the TBSC - I like the features, but if there aren't any problems w/ the live, it may not be worth it to me. Opinions?

and

2. HD/Controller - does anyone know where I can find the add - in Promise ATA133 card? Is it worth it or should I just go for the Promise ATA100? If the 133 card is worth it, I can wait until Jan. and just stick with my current drives for a month. Any advice on this?

 

[Maggotry]

The SK6 isn't loud. It's a chunk of copper. The FAN is what's loud. And like most heatsinks, you can put any fan you want on it. I use an SK6 w/ a panaflo fan, not the delta 6800rpm howler monkey.

 

[scoobydooby]

How come you want a new cooler if you aren't going to OC? I think the 8045 is mostly for those that want to OC as much as possible, I would look into something a little cheaper if I was you but that's just my opinion. Also I think I've read that the epox board has more stability problems than some others, but I hear it's the best board for OCing. Check out www.amdmb.com and go to the epox forum to see if that's actually true or not. Hope that helps
Scoob

 

[So]

Hmm, I have to decide what motherboard I am going to go with...
The 8kha+ seemed good, but I am growing angsty over potential problems with stablility...
So what motherboard would you choose?
How about the Shuttle AK31A - how stable is it? Is it better or worse than the Epox?
How stable is the MSI K7T266 Pro2?

I am still leaning twoards the 8kha+, but I would be open to all of these boards.

 

[So]

midnight bump ^

Oh, and thanks to everyone who has replied so far!

 

[So]

One last bump to look for as many opinions as possible on motherboards.