Maximum PC

Hi, All -

I'm new to the forum, but not new to building a PC. That said, it's been awhile. This is probably more information than y'all need, but my last PC was built with the following:

Case: Aspire mTower ATX X-Cruiser BL/420 (that's with a 420-Watt Power Source)
Mobo: ECS PT890T-A
Chip: Intel Core 2 Duo E4400, LGA 775, 2.0GHz, 64-Bit Dual-Core
Video: Geforce 7100GS 256MB (PCI-E 16x)
RAM: 1.5 GB DDR2 800MHz/PC6400

I've been running two Optical drives for a number of years, but recently, they've stopped working. I'm figuring - since I've tried different ROMs/Burners and different cables - that the IDE slot in the mobo is hosed.

So, that said, I have two questions:

1) Can I use my existing case with the current Mobos on the market? (Seems like they'd be the same fit, but I've had other disappointments lately so I'm asking you all as the experts)

and

2) Is there any kind of "Bundle" out there that will save me some money in upgrading the Mobo/Chip/Ram & Power Source together?

I don't need a lot of power, as I'll be running Linux on it - but I need everything to work properly, so I'm looking for the simplest answers first.

I've also considered buying a refurbished version of the current motherboard & chip and using everything else I have, but haven't found one yet.

Any help anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated - thanks!

Pax, harmonia,

BGPhilbin

If want to resurrect that system, get another 775 / ddr2 board while they are still available, here is a decent one

BIOSTAR T41 HD LGA 775 Intel G41 $60 free shipping

and do the linux install will be decent. Replace the PSU while you are at it, the apevia / aspire power supplies are junk and can hardly handle 1/2 of what it stated on the label. Get one of these...

COOLER MASTER GX 450W RS450 $45 + $2 shipping & $10 MIR
Rosewill Green Series RG430-S12 430W $45 + free shipping ($20 instant)
CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 V2 430W $45 + $2 shipping ($5 instant and $10 MIR)

pretty good deals and much better quality than the one you have.

You can re-use that case, IMO they are meh quality, not the greatest airflow for sure - the newer bottom-psu mounted ones offer much better cooling capacity, and 120mm fans make it a quiet task. Here are a couple I posted earlier for reference

HEC Blitz Black Steel Edition ATX Mid Tower $40 w/ free shipping ($25 instant) ** excellent deal (I would pick this one, pretty sturdy case)
COOLER MASTER Elite 311 $45 w/ free shipping (one of the standard cases I use in budget builds)

cheers