Just about ready to build up a new machine, and I'm looking at updating my old one so it's not as pathetic as it currently is. I've been mainly playing games on my SO's laptop lately, but this machine will likely remain in service as the network printer service and oldies game machine for for a while. Since I'm stuck with the motherboard (due to XP activation), I can get a faster processor, more memory, and a better video card, and I can get them pretty cheap since this is all old tech anyway. The motherboard (Asus A7V8X) is SocketA, with an AGP video slot.

Rule #1 - this box must be able to run MTW
Rule #2 - this box MUST be able to run MTW. I don't know if my new machine will be able to (Vista, video driver issues, etc.)

My mobo can support up to a Athlon XP 3000+, so I'll be digging around on eBay for one soon. I'll probably be kicking it up to 2GB RAM as well.

So that leaves the video card. I've been looking at the ATI Radeon X1650PRO 512MB AGP video card. Anybody know if this runs MTW, and if it's a decent card in general? Any other cards out there you can recommend?

As as aside, does anyone know of a laptop company that still offers XP? I'm debating desktop/laptop for my new machine. And, yes, I am a Vista hater.