Just got an ABIT VA20 mobo

[Hackworth]

Just picked up an ABIT VA20 (http://www.partspc.com/store/product569.html)
mATX motherboard to use as the basis for a new system for my daughter. It's
got just about everything (Sound, VGA, LAN, SATA, USB 2.0), so that will be
perfect for her needs and will make it easy for me to maintain. I have two
questions about it:

#1
---
I can't seem to find a definite answer as to whether the board supports the
newer 400MHz-FSB Sempron 3100+ or 3200+ processors and PC3200 memory. Is
anyone using the board with either of those CPUs? Or should I just play it
safe and get a 3000+ Sempron (using 333 MHz FSB)?

#2
---
Anyone recommend a good Micro ATX *tower* case to serve as the new home for
this mobo? I'm willing to lay out extra cash for something of quality,
that's quiet, and easy to work with. I read a review of eight mATX cases at
Tom's Hardware recently, but basically they all seem like junk. Also, the
case must be a true mATX case, not a mid-tower... she doesn't have the space
for anything bigger.

 

[sbb78247]

Just picked up an ABIT VA20
(http://www.partspc.com/store/product569.html) mATX motherboard to
use as the basis for a new system for my daughter. It's got just
about everything (Sound, VGA, LAN, SATA, USB 2.0), so that will be
perfect for her needs and will make it easy for me to maintain. I
have two questions about it:
#1
---
I can't seem to find a definite answer as to whether the board
supports the newer 400MHz-FSB Sempron 3100+ or 3200+ processors and
PC3200 memory. Is anyone using the board with either of those CPUs?
Or should I just play it safe and get a 3000+ Sempron (using 333 MHz
FSB)?
#2
---
Anyone recommend a good Micro ATX *tower* case to serve as the new
home for this mobo? I'm willing to lay out extra cash for something
of quality, that's quiet, and easy to work with. I read a review of
eight mATX cases at Tom's Hardware recently, but basically they all
seem like junk. Also, the case must be a true mATX case, not a
mid-tower... she doesn't have the space for anything bigger.

It's a socket A board, so the 3000 is about it in Sempron. The higher ones
are socket 754 so they are not compatible with this board.

As far as a case goes - have you checked NewEgg? They seem to have a fair
selection of different manufacturers so maybe one will fit your
needs/wants/taste.

Good luck

S