I never said you CANT use SSD with XP I said it's not a good idea as XP lacks TRIM. If you don't have TRIM your SSD can clog up with stale blocks and your expensive hardware becomes as slow as a 5200rpm laptop drive. That's really smart use of your money isn't it?
You sound like the guy who crossed the Atlantic in a rubber dingy. Yeah, he did it so he can recommend it to everyone instead of taking the Queen Mary II or a 380 lol.
SSD's do not need trim. Firmware takes care of that. That is if your willing to flash the FW with the manufacturers upgrades.
But you do not upgrade your hardware, remember.
You really should get a new calendar, its 2014 now. Maybe read some literature on modern equipment. Trim does not function with a RAID array either.
I know I do not have all the answers. That's why I still try to learn.

5+ year old SSD's. I do not think their clogged.
The Queen Mary is a museum now. Beautiful old gal, I used to watch her come into port. That is the original Queen Mary anyways. She's haunted as well.
Tinkles,
Sorry to hear your game machine is down. Hope you do not have to burn a lot of cash. The old rig will be quite useful if you still plan to build your own. The internet will be invaluable as to answering questions that come up. Remember to corroborate everything tho, do not settle for just 1 stated answer, including mine. Get a dozen.
After you decide on a set of hardware, double and triple check that they will work with mobo selection. The mobo manufacturer should have a QVL on board. Quality Vendors List, will tell you what brand ram has been tested by manufacturer for your mobo selection. TBH, I would not get anything older than a Intel X-58 chipset board. It uses QPI, no FSB. I found them easier to deal with.
Look at the PCI-E slot layout, big vid cards have a tendency to cover up other PCI slots. All depends on your extended plan for new machine. ie: sound card............many ducks to line up....................
Also make sure you keep "all" purchase receipts and register "all" components with the manufacturer right away. You could be sold bad hardware, you never know. If you manage to brick the hardware by carelessness or ignorance, they "might" allow you an RMA'ed replacement.
Part of the duck thing..........