10.5.3+ on a TOH RC2 Nforce 650i system?

[Armentage]

I'm running on a MSI 650i based mobo with TOH RC2. I've managed to get up to patch 10.5.2, though I am still using Golden Kernel 9.0.0 (as per NetRoller3ds awesome guide from Nov'07). I'm trying to get myself up to 10.5.3 but I'm having a lot of trouble -- specifically:

 

* I have no idea which kernels to pick. I understand that there's Vanilla EFI kernels vs the hacked kernels for AMD/Intel systems, but I can't find much information about the various versions.

 

* Trying the Kalyway Combo Update patching method to 10.5.3 hosed my system halfway through the update. I didn't even get far enough to pick a kernel. Luckily I had a Time Machine backup!

 

* I've tried Netkas' update strategies, but my system hangs before I get a chance to restore my extensions.

 

Clearly something is going on; the system is looking for new extensions or trying to execute something that was just patched, and everything goes to hell.

 

Any suggestions? I really need to get up to 10.5.3...