I'm doing a build to run legacy Linux distros using kernels 2.4.31 (DSL) to 2.6.29.6, and wish to check compatibility of possible components.

My parts list still has some holes that need filling, such as the video capture card, so user recommendations are needed. Some other components (such as the NIC) I'm deadlocked between two or more models and welcome tiebreaker assistance. Also, warnings of incompatibilities are welcomed. So on to the list:


CONSOLE- Requirements:full-size tower;at least eight 5.25" external bays;seven expansion slots...ports:2eSATA, 2 firewire, 8 USB2.0, & headphones jack. Would like one 3.5 external bay. Prefer construction of steel frame & aluminum panels, but will settle for all steel or all aluminum. Would like to make PC quiet. Looking at:
Cooler master STC-TO1-UWK
" " RC-810-SKN1
Thermaltake VA8003BWS
Xigmatek CCC-HSA0DS-U01
Antec Twelve Hundred

CASE FANS-
Enermax Marathon Enlobal UC-12EB
Noctua NF-F12 120mm

*CPU-
Phenom II X6 1055T (95W)

CPU FAN-
Noctua NH-D14
Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO
Zalman CNPS1OX

PSU- Various power calculators say I need 650 to 675W, but I'm wanting a bit more. Choices are:
Seasonic 760W 80Plus Platinum SS-760XP2
Corsair TX750
Kingwin LZP-750
Corsair AX-760

MOTHERBOARD- in order of preference:
GA-MA770-UD3
GA-MA770T-UD3
GA-770T-UD3P
GA-770TA-UD3
GA-770T-USB3

MEMORY- Depends on board chosen, but I want the high end sort, and to fill all DIMM sockets...if anyone wants to recommend memory modules for the five boards above, please do!

NIC CARD- in order of preference:
DGE-528T
Intel EXPI9301CTBLK PRO/1000
Netgear GA302T
Startech ST1000BT32

*SOUND CARD-
Asus Xonar D2

*GRAPHICS CARD-
Either Geforce 6800GS or 6800GT (PCIe x16, 256 to 512MB)

VIDEO CAPTURE CARD- Must include 'framegrabber' function.
No idea! Suggestions welcomed for PCI or PCIe card type.

IDE/EIDE DVD BURNER- Would much prefer one I can easily make into 'all-formats' or 'region-free'.
No idea! Suggestions welcomed.

IDE/EIDE HARD DISC DRIVE- 500GB size required. Maybe:
WD5000JBRTL
WD5000AAJB
WD5000AAKB
WD5000KS
WD5000AAKB-OOH8AO

IDE/EIDE HDD MOBILE RACK- Maybe:
PCTek KF-201DF
Lian Li RH-32
" " RH-600

SATA DVD (3Gb/s) BURNER- I'm considering Plextor PX-880SA, but welcome suggestions, just no Sony brand.

SATA HARD DISC DRIVE- SATA 3Gb/s & 750GB required. Maybe:
WD7500AVCS
WD 7500AAKS-OOBA0

SATA HDD MOBILE RACKS- Maybe:
Kingwin KF-201-DF
" KF-1000-BK
SNT-SAS136B
Vantec MRK-300ST-BK
iStarUSA T5F-SS
iRack MRA300

5.25" BAY DEVICE-
Lian Li BZ-UO1

5.25" HDD COOLER- Want two to fit between the three HDDs.
Akust 5.25 PC Front Grill Cooler #FG00-0037-AKS
Lian Li 5.25" Triple 40mm Extreme Bay Cooler
Evercool 5.25 Cross Flow Fan

EXTERNAL HDD DOCKING STATION- For making backups. Prefer eSATA or firewire
Orico 6618SUS-BK
Rosewill RX-DUS100

FLOPPY DRIVE- For internal floppy drive connector.
Bytecc BT-145
NEC FD1231

PCI/PCIe EXPANSION CARDS- Depends on motherboard chosen, and which chips Linux rejects, but will likely need at least eSATA and Firewire cards that work with Linux:
LaCie eSATA PCI Card #130823
Startech PEX1394B3 Firewire PCIE Card

LCD MONITOR- Require 1024x768. No touchscreen.
ViewEra V151HV-B

MOUSE-
Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer

KEYBOARD-
Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard

WIRED ROUTER- Require NAT & SPI;gigabit WAN.
TP Link TL-R600VPN
Netgear FVS336G
Trendnet TWG-BRF114
Cisco Linksys RVS-4000

UPS- It must cover minimum 675W, and have quiet operation.
Cyberpower CP1350PFCLCD
APC BR1500 LCD

MEMORY CARD READER-
Plugable Technologies Plugable 2.0

SCANNER-
Canon Canoscan LIDE 30

COLOR INKJET PRINTER- Require each color to have separately replaceable ink cartridge; above average color graphics & photo print quality, & easy Linux setup. Much prefer single-function printers.
HP Officejet Pro 8000 Enterprise
" " 6000 Wireless Printer
Epson WF7010

MONOCHROME LASER PRINTER- Require double sided printing (auto-duplex), use reasonably priced toner, have above average text print quality. Single-function printers much preferred.
Brother HL-2040
" HL-5370DW
Dell 2350D
" 3330DN
HP Laserjet Pro 400 M401DN
" " " " M401DNE
" " " P1606DN
Xerox Phaser 3250


* These components are already decided on, so its very unlikely I'll change them.