Yet another "Help me with my upgrade" post

[MrChad]

Hi all,

Since components are just so cheap nowadays, I'm considering upgrading my aging P2-400. Here's what I'm thinking so far:

• AMD Athlon 1.4 GHz (retail)
• Epox 8K7A+ Motherboard
• 256 MB PC2100 DDR RAM
• Enlight 7237 Case w/ 300W PS
• CardExpert / Gainward GeForce 3
• 2 IBM 40GB 60GXP Hard Drives to put in RAID 0

From my existing PC I'll have:

• SoundBlaster Live!
• 3COM 3C-905B NIC
• IBM 27GB 34GXP Hard Drive
• Pioneer 116 DVD-ROM
• HP 8100i 4x CD-RW
• Dell 17" Trinitron Monitor

So for about $900 or so shipped (if I bought it today, I'm waiting for end-of-month price cuts), I have an almost state of the art system. I have a couple of questions first:

1. I'm not planning on overclocking or anything. Will I be OK using the retail heatsink and fan for the Athlon?
2. How difficult is mounting the HSF on the processor? I've read about some horror stories about cracked cores, etc. I'm comfortable assembling my own system, but I don't want to kill a $130 processor.
3. I know IBM 75GXPs had all sorts of problems, but I'm reading mixed things about the 60GXPs. Some say they're more reliable, and others say they have the same reliability problems as the 75GXPs. My two previous IBMs have given me 0 problems, and I know that any hard drive I buy has a risk of failure, so what should I do?

Thanks for your input!

 

[NelsonMuntz]

That looks like a great upgrade!
If you are not overclocking, the stock HSF is sufficient. It isn't incredibly difficult to put on, but it isn't easy either. I would suggest using a big screwdriver and a small screwdriver. The big screwdriver pushes the clip down while you use the small one to pull the clip out so it can hook onto the socket. It helps to have someone assist you as well.
If you have enjoyed your IBMs in the past I say do it again. I had one IBM DOA, but the replacement has been running great. I have used Western Digitals and Maxtors with much success as well, so any of them work for me.

 

[MrChad]

Thanks for the tip.

Hopefully GeForce 3's will come down in price in a few weeks. It seems ridiculous that my graphics card will cost as much as my motherboard + processor + ram. Nvidia really needs some strong competition.

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

My suggestion for the graphics card? wait for the radeon 8500 to start showing up, that oughtta push those GF3 prices down, then again by that time desktop Athlon 4's will be on their way out, so you might be tempted by those... decisions,decisions....

-Ice