Operation Delta 3 - 002

[greengoose1]

This begins Operation Delta 3-002 in the building of BT, the third in a series of Operation Delta computers whose threads are designed to help you build a computer if you so desire. This computer will be for my use and right now we are in the aquisition stage for the various components needed. The two WD 40Gig HD's and Ram have been purchased and now the case, MOBO, CPU are being reconsidered from the original list due to the price drops and improvements that are now available over what they were.

The various members that are contributing have made this possible for no more a reason than the tremendous amount of knowledge they collectively posess and are willing to share all of us that need help.

If you have questions or need help as we go through this be sure and break in with your question or comment.

Phigo, I reread your thread to make sure I had it right.

So, any new thoughts on A MOBO that could take the place of the Abit 133BX Raid board?

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[Abhoth]

Well all I have to say is you'd best get that thing built before it's obsolete! ;-) Good thread.... try Tom's Hardware Guide at http://www6.tomshardware.com/mainboard/index.html. He's got some excellent info....

edit... and maybe post an updated list early in this thread of your updated components, highlighting those that have been purchased thus far....

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Just 'cuz you're not paranoid doesn't mean they're still not after you!

[This message has been edited by Abhoth (edited 08-30-2001).]

[bistro]

Whoa there, Kimo Sabe ....all depends on the CPU you want. Athlon, Pentium, cheapo used Cyrix, Super-cooled Warp23 Universal Dilithium Crystal? Pick the CPU, then a good reliable board to go with it.

[Abhoth]

Agree... but think he decided on a P4, but not sure... that's why I'd like to see an updated parts list.......

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Just 'cuz you're not paranoid doesn't mean they're still not after you!

[Sarrkazztic]

Just gotta know....does that BT stand for BIG Tex!!!!

[Abhoth]

(B)lindingly (T)hpeedy... I think. ;-)

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"Some mornings it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps!" Emo P.

[greengoose1]

This computer was obsolete before we made the original list that I posted at the beginning of thread 001.

Here is the list;

Two Western Digital 40 GB 7200RPM (ATA What?)
Motherboard Abit BX 133-RAID ( socket370-type)
In Win S 500 ATX 2.01 compliance Mid Tower 300watt Power supply
Intel Pentium III 866MHz FC-PGA w/256KB
RAM 128PC-133
GeForce2 based or Diamond Viper ultra series Video Card (AGP type)32MB
Modem 56K (not winmodem)
Sound Card -Sound Blaster Live series
Global Win heatsink/fan
Two Network Card
Linsky'S Router
Burner (Need Recommendations)
19" monitor

I want the most for the money spent, and if I go to something faster can I see the increase in speed say to a 1. some odd Ghz CPU. I am still not convinced that the Abit 133BX Raid is not the way to go. Maybe because I know more about it than anything else. I know there is one computer with it that runs like a top last I knew.

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[This message has been edited by greengoose1 (edited 08-30-2001).]

[Abhoth]

...Efforting.

So o.k., don't hate that montherboard... assuming yur using the RAID for the two drives. CPU... Using Tom's product finder I see a P3gig processor for $188... also a P4 1.5gig for about $50 less. Humm, I'll let you figure that one. And that would change the setup... if P3 is it that's cool. Running a P3 1gig here and very pleased.
CDRW... Plextor's the man on that one, opinion, yes.
Nuther opinion is Athlon.... probably more bang for the buck and DDR RAM speeds... humm.
Building can be so much fun, way much info!

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"Some mornings it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps!" Emo P.

[This message has been edited by Abhoth (edited 08-30-2001).]

[bistro]

If you want some good stability with a P3, the Asus CUSL2-C mobo comes to mind. If you want additional features, the Abit SA6R is a possibility. With any board, there are pros and cons with either one. (But an 815EP chipset board will offer some good stability with the P3). If you are going to get a sound card and vid card, it makes no sense to get a mobo with those integrated into it (unless it has other features you want/need).

[Abhoth]

AND... you can get an Athlon Thunderbird 1300 MHz 266MHz/256K for $104.
Real point here is that Bistro's right... CPU and MoBo... them's the guts. If you're going to spend some $$$ that's where it should go. Although VIA is coming out with a DDR MoBo for P4...

" Now that Intel is selling Pentium 4 at rather aggressive prices, all it takes to make the processor enter the mass market is a reasonably priced platform. The i850 chipset with its requirement of the expensive RDRAM is still unable to offer that. While Intel's upcoming value-chipset for Pentium 4 will initially only support the rather slow PC133 SDRAM, VIA's P4X266 is ready to bring fast DDR-support to Intel's flagship processor. "

Hummm, options galore...
Just too fun eh?

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"Some mornings it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps!" Emo P.

[Abhoth]

Don't see integrated sound or vid on that MoBo Bistro???? Now, if it does, then I hate it! ;-)

"The BX133-RAID features today's most advanced hardware specifications, including an onboard UDMA 33/66/100 and RAID controller, plus SoftMenu III for setting CPU parameters. SoftMenu III provides ABIT's customers the easiest and safest environment to achieve ultimate performance. With 2 USB channels, 3 DIMM slots, AGP support, and hardware monitoring, the BX133-RAID gives you the absolute best solution for the BX chipset."

oops, my bad.... you be talkin' 'bout the 815ep you mentioned. But at least it has an AGP slot for upgrades.
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"Some mornings it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps!" Emo P.

[This message has been edited by Abhoth (edited 08-30-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Abhoth (edited 08-30-2001).]

[bistro]

Yeah...Some of the mobos I've been considering for an upgrade have some real decent features. I can live with the integrated crap as long as I can turn it off. One stick in my craw are the mobos with some really great features, but have a dadblasted CNR slot included. I need that like I need a 5.25 floppy drive...

[Abhoth]

yup, when building there are tons of options. Will make the eyes water.... but gotta ask... CNR slot?

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"Some mornings it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps!" Emo P.

[Sarrkazztic]

CNR????? AMR possibly? Audio Modem Riser here is a link about them but I do not know anyone yet who has used one... http://developer.intel.com/update/ar...ories/top2.htm

[jtdoom]

CNR
Acronym for Communication and Networking Riser. Developed by Intel, CNR is a riser card for ATX family motherboards that was developed in order to reduce the cost to OEMs of implementing LAN, home networking, audio and modem subsystems widely used in modern connected PCs. The CNR Specification is an open industry specification that defines a scalable motherboard riser card and interface that support the audio, modem, and network interfaces of core logic chipsets. The specification is supported by OEMs, Microsoft and silicon suppliers. The specification defines the CNR architecture for both standard and low-profile risers and includes electrical, mechanical, and thermal requirements of the riser interface. In addition to supporting current technologies such as Ethernet and analog modems, the specification can be expanded for developing technologies, such as DSL.

AMR
Short for Audio Modem Riser, an Intel specification that defines a new architecture for the design of motherboards.


AMR lets manufacturers create motherboards without analog I/O functions. Instead, these functions are placed on a separate card--with the codec chip--which plugs in perpendicular to the motherboard so that the motherboard and "riser" card form a right angle.


Separating the analog I/O functions from the motherboard means higher audio quality and reduced production delays. Prior to the AMR specification, motherboard analog I/O functions went through a lengthy FCC and international telecom certification process.

taken from webopedia



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Remember, there is always something we forgot to ask.
And, it's only FREE advice!

Kind regards, Jaak