First, there's no such thing as A/V hardware. Well, not really. They're just saying that it'll be good for A/V, which doesn't mean that you should be paying top dollar BTW.
Second, avoid the i820 chipset if you're going to be using SDRAM. Why? 1) Intel has admitted that the i820 chipset is flawed when it comes to SDRAM support in that it will not properly detect all compliant SDRAM modules and that using ECC memory can cause crashes 2) Intel has admitted that the 440BX chipset with SDRAM can outperform an i820 even with RDRAM!! Seriously. Don't believe me? I did a quick search and here's the first couple sites I checked:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/990904-000002.html http://www7.tomshardware.com/mainboard/99q4/991005/i820-13.html
Problem: "But I need some of the features of the i820!!"
Resolution: No you don't...or at least you don't need them from an i820. Crafty motherboard manufacturers like Abit and Asus offer 440BX boards with advanced features like AGP4X, which you don't need, ATA66, which you don't need (onboard), 133Mhz FSB support (see also VIA133), etc.
Third, why would you pay top dollar for a SCSI CDRW...especially a slow one like that? Get an ATA66 controller on a BX motherboard and you'll be happy & save some $$$.
Fourth, BEWARE "premium" motherboards. Get the man. and model number and post it here. Otherwise you'll end up with an Intel Seattle or something. Puke.
Fifth, as suggested above, consider NT4 or better yet, Windows 2000. But be sure that there are drivers for the fancy soundcard you plan on buying.
In summary, what I would suggest:
- 440BX chipset
- Asus P3B-F or Abit BE6-II mobo
- Intel PIII600 coppermine
- Kingston or PNY PC100 or PC133 SDRAM
- Same hard drives as above
- Consider NT4
- BIG GIANT CASE WITH A BIG POWER SUPPLY
- ATA66 controller and an EIDE 8x8x32 CDRW.
Notes: Kingston makes great memory and they recently dropped prices to "earth" levels. I bought 128MB a few weeks ago for $92.
Also, the bigger the case the better as you'll discover later when you're installing more hardware. A big power supply isn't necessary, but they'll often be more stable and therefore reduce the chance of nasty hiccups.
Slackmaster 2000