Looking for validation here...

[RandomGoon]

I finally got the wife-oid's blessing to build a new box (my PII-333 just ain't cutting it anymore) and just wondered if I'm making trouble for myself with the parts I intend to use:

Mobo: Asus A7V133
Processor: T-Bird 1.13 or 1.2 GHz (266 FSB)
HSF: ThermoEngine (with Delta fan)
RAM: Crucial 256 MB CL2 (prolly x2)
Video: Elsa Gladiac (already have it in the 333)
HDD: IBM 75 GXP
DVD: Pioneer 16x
CD-RW: Plextor 16/10/40
Sound Card: Phillips Acoustic Edge
Modem: Need a recomendation here - non-Winmodem, Lucent chipset prefered

So what do y'all think, help a goon out?

'Goon

[golfcart]

I think it looks great so far. I cant think of any conflicts off the top of my head. All of those parts should work well together. As for the modem, I dont think the a7v has any isa slots so you will need to choose PCI or External. I wouldnt use the optional AMR card.

[RandomGoon]

Thanx Golf...I know for sure the A7V133 does not have ISA slots; my bother-in-law just got one http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif Do you know of any PCI hardware modems based off of Lucent's chipset? Oh, and I have no intention of using the AMR/CNR whichever the bloody thing's called.

'Goon

[This message has been edited by RandomGoon (edited 04-20-2001).]

[elroy]

Regarding the cpu fan, if you're talking about a Delta 38cfm fan. They are VERY Noisy. I bought one, used it about a week and replaced it with a quieter fan. You could hear it all the way in the other end of the house.

[AuraEdge]

Yea, the delta might make the "wife-iod's blessings" into curses http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif.
I'd back down from the delta to keep the happy household.

[Bovon]

I would also be interested in any PCI based hardware modems. Winmodems simply will not work at all for my location, due in part to my mom and pop antiquated systems.

I am qrdering parts along and along for an upgrade, and must have a legacy ISA slot for a USR/3Com 56-K V-90 modem, which, by trial and error, appears to be the only one to work for me.

So far, only a few boards still offer one ISA slot, among these are, Iwill KK266, Abit KT7A, and Soyos entry with a KT133a chipset.

The Iwill KK266 seems to be my best choice so far. It is stable and does a good job, if we do not try to use a SB Live! sound card (All KT133a boards)...and then, there is still the 686B southbridge glitch which is affecting all mobos running the KT133A chipset boards.

[RandomGoon]

Thanks Elroy and AuraEdge, I'll keep another fan on standby just in case. Recomendations?

'Goon

[RandomGoon]

<prepares for the onslaught> What glitch with the 686a Southbridge? I've not heard of, or at least can't recall hearing, problems with the chipset. Elucidate, Bovon, if you will.

'Goon

[This message has been edited by RandomGoon (edited 04-25-2001).]

[Dave_H]

It's a little pricy, but USR makes a PCI hardmodem called the "Performance Pro".
Not sure what chipset it uses though.
U.S. Robotics® 56K* Performance Pro Modem (http://www.usr.com/products/home/home-product.asp?sku=3CP5610A)
Dave

[RandomGoon]

^<bump>^

[Kuasimodem]

The Abit KT7A board does have an ISA slot for that hardware modem that you have.

[Michael Chiew]

RandonGoon

Your selection of components for a new set-up is fine. I do have some reservations.

The Elsa Gladiac card may be a performance/compatibility issue with the A7V. It must meet the A7V's AGP2.0 specifications for 4X, 2X and 1X AGP modes.

The A7V's AGP is a Pro Slot targetted at 3D graphical applications supporting 133Mhz 4X mode.

Things you need to know about the A7V. It is an excellent motherboard but it does have its oddities.

Ram
It's extremely picky with ram. If you've been through some of the postings on the A7V, you'll get the picture. My A7V works fine with Hyundai PC133 SDRam. The retail outlet from which I bought the A7V mobo warned me about Ram. Now I'm alerting you!

KT133 Chipsets
The North Bridge System Chipset (Via VT8363) and the South Bridge System Chipset (Via VT82C686A PCIset) are ultra sensitive to incompatibility issues. These two so-called protectors of the realm can cause sleepless nights if you don't shore them up with chipset driver upgrades.

Promise IDE controller
Here's another chip that needs to be considered as a potential trouble spot. Be aware that you may need to upgrade the Promise ATA 100 driver.

BIOS
Upgrades are available on Asus web site. The latest upgrades boost system performance of one sort or another.

Before you assemble your machine, check out the FAQ site at Asus and also download the latest drivers and BIOS upgrades.

Pre-empt any attempt by the motherboard components to deny you your right to peace of mind. TO BE FOREWARNED IS TO BE FOREARMED!

Heat sink/Fan for CPU
With the AMD TB 1.2GHz, you should not settle for anything less than an approved heat sink and fan. The Taisol CGK Ultra is an excellent buy if you can get your hands on one for TB 1.2GHz.

The heatsink is made of forged aluminum, not extruded aluminum. What does this mean? Well, extruding is how most heatsinks are made, which is when the metal is shaped by being forced through a die. The Taisol CGK is forged though, rather than extruded, which makes it more dense, and therefore better at transferring heat.

Power Supply
You didn't say anything about your power supply. Consider an adequate capacity power supply, one that will meet your future expansion, if any.

Installation
Here's how I do it.
One component at a time. It's time-consuming and irritating but when things go wrong, troubleshooting is a breeze. The last component in is the first to be singled out as the troublemaker.

Have fun!

Michael Chiew

[RandomGoon]

Nice writeup, Michael, very informative. I was planning on flashing to the latest BIOS from Asus as pretty much step one. For memory I went with Crucial as they seem to be top rated around the techie websites; I suppose I could have gone with Mushkin or Corsair but I believe the Crucial will do just fine. The powersupply is a 300w model listed on AMD's site so it should have no issues. The HSF was a top rated model, provided you use the Delta (I know it's noisy but want the performace, not quiet http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif fan. Went with the Phillips Acoustic Edge for my sound to preclude the VIA/SBLive conflict. 1 part at a time is right on advice. I intended to do that from the start - seemed the smarter thing to do. And I don't even consider doing a format without having the latest drivers on hand - I hate searching for them after the fact http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif

Thanks again for your very well written post, Michael.

'Goon

[RandomGoon]

Just for closure (thanks for reminding me Ed_S), I finished up this box and it smokes!! I'm loving it and so's the wife; she's not even woried about the noise from the Delta fan! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif Oh, and for my modem I went with 3Com's 56k perfomance pro.

Now if I can just get all my cards off of IRQ9...

One happy 'Goon

[This message has been edited by RandomGoon (edited 05-18-2001).]

[Brangwen]

I'd lose the Asus and go Iwill KK266 (non-Raid). And I question the HSF choice. Check out Taisol. Otherwise your component list looks great.
www.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=1424 (http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=1424)

Good luck!

Brangwen http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[Brangwen]

RandomGoon:

"Ooops!" I didn't see your last post. Strike what I wrote and enjoy! Sorry!

Brangwen http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif