upgrade broken, old computer

[sathyan]

My Dad's motherboard died. As this is an old system, I'd like to take the opportunity to upgrade it.

The current system is:
AMD K6 450MHz
128 MB PC100 SDR
Soyo 5eh mobo
10 gig HDD
FDD
CDROM
Jaton 57p 2MB PCI vid card
TB Montego sound
Generic 250W AT PSU
AT box
Motorola USB cable modem
17" Sony CRT

The motherboard and PSU don't work. For about $200-300 of hardware can I make this into a decent system for writing (Word 97) , web and email. I have an extra ATI 8MB AGP card available if the Jaton should be trashed. OS will be Win98. Stability is important; performance is not. Internet is via cable modem

I was thinking:

ECS K7S5A $54 Retail
Athlon XP 1600+ $53 OEM
HSF - please suggest one I don't know
Antec case + 300W ATX PSU $59
maybe also a CDRW around the $50-60 range if funds allow

thanks for your suggestions,
sathyan

 

[jkersenbr]

The plan looks good to me. But I think I'd go for a 1GHz Duron in stead of the XP and put the $20 you save into a burner (watch the rebate deals over in Hot Deals). For what your dad's going to be doing, the Duron would be plenty.

Another thing you might think about going with a P3 setup. I got an i810e mobo on eBay last week for $16 shipped. Pop in a $70 P3 and you've got something very stable with enough performance. The onboard video would be similar to the ATI card too....

As for AMD cooling fans... For stock/not overclocked applications, I like This One. The same store has some sufficient cases for cheap too. If you're not in the case tinkering every day, you don't need to spend $60 on a case.

 

[clumsum]

For the difference in performance ......... stay with the XP1600+ (over ANY Duron) ....... and the P3!
It will be the best $20. you will spend, ....... and is well worth the difference! IMO
If you have to, postphone the CD-RW and go for:

Some good quality DDR memory (at least 256MB) and upgrade to
Win2Kpro or XP

For a hsf, I use the V60-4210 ThermoEngine (purchased locally for $15.) it's quiet, cools very well and fits everything.
If you are going for the K7S5A .......... stick with the Antec case/psu (or one of equal quality)!

 

[sathyan]

I just discovered a problem with this plan. There needs to be an ISA slot. Can you suggest any recent motherboard (i.e. supporting AthlonXP or P4) under $120 which include an ISA slot.

thanks
sathyan