It's decision time and I need everyone's help!

[felix726]

Well it's time to get my new PC http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif and I need everyone to help me make a few critical decisions.

First, I know that 128MB of RAM is pretty much the magic number for right now but how long do you think it will be before that much is no longer enough? I'm getting RAMBUS so I figure if I'll be running smooth on 128MB for at least another year or year and a half I won't shell out another grand now to get 256MB. The price of the stuff will have to be more reasonable by 2002(at least I hope! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif)

Second, Do you even need a CD-ROM if you have a DVD or a CD-RW? I plan on having a DVD drive that can read CD-ROM's at 40x, and a CD-RW that can read CD-ROM's at 32x. Can you guys(and girls) give me any reason why I would need a plain old CD-ROM drive also?

Third, I might be a bit paranoid but I was wondering what everyone who has cable modems do as far a surge protection is concerned. I have everything going through a surge protector now including the phone line for my modem, but when I get my new machine I'm going to high speed (thank God!!!!! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif) and I'm worried about frying my $3000.00 PC. Am I just being overly paranoid?

In case anyone is interested here are the system specs(I'm buying from DELL so some components are not exactly what I want, but close enough to keep me happy http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif)

intel mobo http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif (not sure exactly which one)
PentiumIII 800 (133mhz fsb)
128MB PC800 @ 400mhz
geFORCE 4x AGP (DDR version)
Maxtor 27GB ATA66 HDD
8x DVD
Sony 8x/4x/32x CD-RW
Sound Blaster Live! Value
Harman Kardon HK-595 speakers
3Com 56k
3Com 10/100 NIC
19" (.24-.25) FD Triniton Monitor
Windows98SE

Hope to hear from lots of you. thanks
-felix

dang keyboard http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif


[This message has been edited by felix726 (edited 12-20-1999).]

[grandslammer]

Hey there!

I'd say your more than covered with the dvd and the r/rw. Like you said, the dvd will read cd's and so forth......

As far as the cable modem goes, I would definately talk to your isp (cable co.) about that. They should (?) take care of that for you. (although they MAY try to sell you additional protection.

Good luck, and you will LOVE cable modem rates. I have gone (although rarely) to 65KB/sec, but my average is 35 - 42,45KB/sec. As opposed to 5.xKB/sec with my winmodem.

Have fun and congrats on new setup.

Mike P.

Oh yeah

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

PS, are you getting the Annihilator Pro?

[This message has been edited by grandslammer (edited 12-20-1999).]

[OuTpaTienT]

Get an Athlon.

[Stan]

Hi

Looks like it's going to be a hell of a PC...

One thing though... Instead of 1 big HD, go for 2 (or more) 13.6 Gb HD (like the IBM 34Gxp, 7200 rpm, 2Mb cache, www.storage.ibm.com (http://www.storage.ibm.com) )).
Then, install the Promise FastTrack RAID IDE and configure the HD in RAID0 (stripe).

That's what I am using in my PC and it is faster than a single U2W disk.
I have bought another 2 HD and will re-install my PC...

Four IBM in a stripe, that must really fly...

Stan

[Donkey]

I agree with OuTpaTienT get an Athlon and also make the CD-RW a scsi one even if it is just using a cheap scsi board to just control the CD it will make writing a lot more trouble free. Also check the check the drives capabilities for overburning etc..
Nice system though, have fun!

[jad1097]

I went to Home Depot and bought a cheap surge protetor for the cable. I just ran the cable line through it then to the cable modem.

[ANTONIO E GUERRA]

I am not sure that will be a good idea to buy the newest chip in the market. In fact, Intel has been pushed to release this one because of Amd's competition and I am not sure this chip is ready yet. However, that computer looks great in paper and Dell will give you excellent technical support. I agree, it will be better to have 2 hard drives in a stripe set. They will be running faster. By the way, I would consider the AMD Athlon, especially the 733 mhz. That 's a great system.

[This message has been edited by ANTONIO E GUERRA (edited 12-21-1999).]

[OuTpaTienT]

Hmmmm, it's all coming back to me now. I tried to block it out, but this thread is making me relive it...

I can tell you from experience, you are making a huge mistake by purchasing the flagship of the CPU manufacturer. I once also "just had to have" the fastest CPU on my block. So I purchased my the fastest CPU money could buy at the time. I spend $525 (+ tax) for the CPU alone. Another $15 for heatsink/fan.

It cost me an arm and a leg, but I now enjoyed what I thought was the ultimate speedy computer. And it was, I guess, for maybe a month. The price of that CPU had dropped by half within 4 months.

I was heavily into 3D modelling/rendering at the time and was tired of waiting the extremely long rendering times of a photorealistic 3D scene (easily 10 - 20 hours for many scenes). And now with my "speed demon" pricey machine I found myself only waiting 5 - 10 hours for those scenes. (Should've thought it through a little better. BTW, the CPU was a Intel 486/DX66)

Anyways, the top of the line for any CPU, and especially Intel is going to be WAY, not slightly, but *WAY* overpriced. Not to mention, last I heard, Intel is having trouble producing a stable 733mhz PIII...and you want to buy a 800mhz PIII from them??? (sigh!) And if you're going to just literally waste money, then go all the way and buy RDRAM.

I guess if maybe you recently won the lottery, then what the hell, go for it. Otherwise, you could spend that money alot more wisely.

[Nutcase]

OuTpaTienT I agree with you! My dad did the same thing 4 years ago. He spent $5000 on a BRAND new pc. It was a 486 DX2/66mhz Top of the line and all that. How long did it last? Well he is still using it but that is because he doesnt want to throw a PC that he spent $5000 on. I wouldnt go with the top of the line unless you HAVE to have the fastest PC in the market and even the how long is it going to remain the fastest? People have their computers up to GHz now... are you sure you would rather spend $800 on the chip? and not just build your self a duel processor system?

[felix726]

Man talk about taking the wind out of a guys sails! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif thanks for the advice.
-felix

[OuTpaTienT]

Sorry to be a downer, but such is life sometimes. Look at the bright side. You can get an Athlon system with ALL those goodies for about half the price. Or even if you really wanted to stick with Intel, then I'd advise maybe getting a PIII/600 and see if you can overclock a little more juice from it. That would tremendously cheaper.

You have more $$$ for maybe 256 or even 512 of SDRAM. Given the choice I'd take 512 of SDRAM over 128 RDRAM a-n-y-d-a-y, a-n-y-t-i-m-e, a-n-y-w-h-e-r-e.

[Todd Beck]

Besides the cpu being incredibly expensive, when will the system actually be shipped to you?

Get an Athlon.

[Todd Beck]

Not to rub it in or anything--
http://www.theregister.co.uk/991221-000012.html

[felix726]

OK OK I give up LOL http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif You guys finally talked some sense into me:
http://www.sysopt.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/003080.html

thanks
-felix

[BBA]

I have a Promise Raid controller...works great! I have 2 13.5G 22GXP IBM 7200RPM drives on it, and they rock!

burst of 66M/sec and continous data read 33M/sec, small file continous of 19M/sec.

It's cool!

PROMISE! (http://www.promise.com/)

[Dkay]

Stan can you give me some more links to some sits about the IDE raid controller

[Stan]

Sorry Dkay for not having replied earlier... but I just came back from Belgium where I spent Xmas with my family and friends...

But I see that BBA has already answered your question... Don't forget to check out the links with the reviews !

I should receive another 2 IBM 22Gxp sometimes next week. That will complete my RAID0 system... 4 IBM 22Gxp in RAID0... cooool...

Stan

[welsh wizard]

Stan done the work, but maybe go for AMD and 256meg of ram once win2k is out you win need it http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
WW

[Stan]

Yep, I agree on the 256Mb RAM. That does make a difference.

I bought my 2nd 128MB stick when it was only 56 UK pounds... the price has changed since then...

Stan