SATA is just as easy to set up as IDE. The only thing to watch is the power connector; SATA drives have a unique power connector. Some SATA drives also have the old style four-pin power connector. Either one will work but you should not connect both of them.

Water-cooling is costly, subject to leaks, more complicated and is not necessary for standard/ non-overclocked installations.

Sides off is ok, but most cases are designed to take air in on the front and exhaust air to the top/rear. Running with the sides off stops this flow.

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