My son and I are planning a home-assembled system.

We would appreciate any feedback on our current plans.

The target os would be windows 2000, so we are interested
in probable compatibility with w2k.

We would love to hear suggestions about what we ought to
do, as well as a sanity check on our system --- compatibility
of various components with one another, as well as with
w2k, and the overall balance of the system.  We are looking
at microsoft's w2k hardware compatibility list (hcl).  We think
it is useful, but not exhaustive.  Do people think we should
reject components just because they are not on the hcl?

Here are some specific questions:

We are looking at the adaptec 19160 scsi adapter, but are
struggling with what 'scsi ultra 160' actually is, and what
disk drives we should be looking at to fully take advantage
of the card.  We would like a modern fast scsi adapter that
can support old scsi devices without degrading performance
of the main bus.

Still on the disk-drive question, we're looking at 7200 rpm
disks.  It seems that the 10k rpm disks are further up the
price curve, and so are not as attractive on a price-performance
basis.  Should we be looking at 10k rpm disks, or do 7200 rpm
disks make the most sense for us?

We are also looking at the leadtek geforce2 gts video card.
Does anyone have advice on compatibility and price-performance?
We imagine that nvidia geforce2 cards are broadly similar in
terms of the above.  Is this right?  Would their be any advantage
in buying a mass market brand based on nvidia's geforce2, such
as creative labs?

Lastly, the choice of a 750 MHz Athlon is based on the fact that
that looks like about the 'knee' of the price-speed curve.  To go
up in speed seems to start costing a lot for not that much
increase.  (Plus, at some point, increased processor speed
won't do much to help the speed of the overall system.)
Does this trade-off (and 750 MHz) sound about right?

Thanks for any advice and suggestions on this.

Proposed system:

motherboard:
   abit ka7 kx133
   (w2k hcl  --  n/a)

processor:
   athlon (750 MHz)
   (w2k hcl  --  pc 99)

case:
   in-win a500 (atx midtower case w/ 300 w supply)
   (w2k hcl  --  n/a)

memory:
   pc133 ram (128 mb) -- any recommended brands?
   (w2k hcl  --  n/a)

video card:
   leadtek geforce2 gts
   (w2k hcl  --  not listed; but nvidia geforce2 gts  --  pc 99)

scsi adapter:
   adaptec scsi card 19160
   (w2k hcl  --  not listed; but 29160N, 39160  --  pc 99)

hard drive:
   seagate barracuda ultra 160  (st318436lvw)
   (w2k hcl  --  pc 99)
   -- it seems than quantum, maxtor, ibm are other similar
      options --- any suggestions here?

floppy drive:
   teac floppy disk drive
   (w2k hcl  --  compatible)

nic:
   10/100 mbit ethernet (3com, smc, ???) -- suggestions?
   (w2k hcl  --  ???)

cd-rom:         old spare (external scsi)
monitor:                old spare
keyboard:               old spare
mouse:                  old spare
modem:          old spare
sound card:     none initially


     Frank R.Brown
     Frank.R.Brown@MailAndNews

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