Currently sitting on top of an AMD64 3500+ here is a Zalman cooler seeing a max temp of 43C when loaded with the model seen at
ZALMAN CNPS9500 LED 92mm 2 Ball Blue LED Light Cooling Fan with Heatsink - Retail at Newegg.com
The MSI line has some good models along with Asus. I am presently caught on deciding with another Asus or MSI board for a new build. What brand memory are you planning to run? I've had some good results just running 2gb of Kingston Value Ram here for loads like gaming, video captures/edits, and full load of media playback. As far as the difference between SATA and SATA II,
"Sunday, June 26, 2005
SATA II does not mean 3Gb/s
Fast WD, the first to introduce an 8 MB buffer, has advanced the caching algorithms of this new and improved Caviar family of hard drives, resulting in next-generation high performance performance that beats all competing 8 MB-cache drives. Features: 160 GB, 7,200 RPM, For Desktop Computer, Internal Enclosure, Serial ATA Interface, 3.5" x 1/3H.
Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600JS 160 GB Hard Drive
The term SATA II has grown in popularity as the moniker for the SATA 3Gb/s data transfer rate, causing great confusion with customers because, quite simply, it’s a misnomer.
The first step toward a better understanding of SATA is to know that SATA II is not the brand name for SATA’s 3Gb/s data transfer rate, but the name of the organization formed to author the SATA specifications. The group has since changed names, to the Serial ATA International Organization, or SATA-IO.
The 3Gb/s capability is just one of many defined by the former SATA II committee, but because it is among the most prominent features, 3Gb/s has become synonymous with SATA II. Hence, the source of the confusion."
blog.ActiveServers - SATA II does not mean 3Gb/s