>I'd like to replace the current motherboard with a FIC VA-503+. I've
>heard good things about that board from users of this list, and I think
>it would fit in her AT case and allow her to continue to use her
>existing RAM.
I have used these...they are very fast and since 233 is near the entry level
CPU for the board plenty of unpgradeabilitiy....already the board is
approved for the 400+ mhz AMD CPUs...the Via chipset is flakey with win95,
but the drivers are on the CD supplied with the board to make any necessary
fixes....WIN98 does not need any adjustments,.....

>I also plan to add a Creative Ensoniq AudioPCI sound card


I have this card in a machine and I like it....it definitely is superior to
the generic cards and doesnt cost much more.....

>and a low-cost video card that still offers some measure of 3D gaming
>ability. She's strictly a 2D (text and productivity) person, but when
>her kids come to visit they'd like to be able to play a game or two. I'm
>thinking an ATI Rage 16 MB card would fit the bill.
Rage is a decent card, I have used them in 4mb versions and find them very
useful, not much to complain about since I am not an avid gamer and any
games clients, myself or kids have used, the card was more than
adequate.....

She wants to keep
>the AMD 233, the two hard drives, and the CD-ROM drive.
>
No real reason to replace these, good idea......I think you have covered
everything well, especially with the premise of keeping cost reasonable and
improving performance and reliability......

David Olds

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