How about this set-up

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Slackmaster2K

Slackmaster2K

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The K6-2 will perform worse than a Celeron, PII, or PIII for audio applications that require heavy-duty real-time processing. I do not have the time nor the energy to repost the importance of good floating-point support and all the related benchmarks. Search down in this forum as this topic has been discussed many times.

Anyway, I recently read that PC133 running at 100Mhz will perform worse than PC100 runing at 100Mhz. Has anyone else heard this?

Slackmaster 2000
 
I don't own a computer yet and know nothing about them. I'd like to buy one and start recording with it. This is the set-up that Audio Computing proposed. What do ya think about it. I realize it's missing the monitor. They suggest I buy that locally. But how about the rest. Will this do the job nicely? Sorry about the first post. I forgot to paste the set-up.


Computer:

- Intel Pentium III 600 MHz (coppermine)
- built-in 512k cache
- 133MHz FSB
- Premium mainboard
- Intel i820 chipset
- 4x DIMM socket
- 1,024 MB max RAM
- 1 ISA, 5 PCI, 1 AGP-PRO 4X
- 2 serial, 1 parallel, 2 USB, PS2 Mouse & Keyboard, IrDA
- Dual Ultra DMA/66 support
- 128MB PC100 A/V-rated SDRAM
- 32MB AGP video card
- 10.2 GB EIDE Ultra/66 hard-disk
- 7,200 RPM
- < 8.9ms
- 28.5GB EIDE Ultra/66 A/Vhard-disk
- 7,200 RPM
- < 8.1ms
- 4x4x24 CD-R/W drive int. SCSI
- 3.5" 1.44MB Floppy Drive
- 104 key PS/2 keyboard
- 56k v.90 modem
- external USB
- 2 button PS/2 mouse
- Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
- AC audio / MIDI program collection on CD-ROM
- Adaptec Easy CD Creator 4.01
- ATX mid-tower case
- Intelligent 250W power-supply
- 4 5.25" open bays
- 2 3.5" open bays
- 1 3.5" hidden bay
- Aux 8cm fan

Your price: $1,667.- (plus shipping and handling)

Audio / MIDI:

- Echo Mona audio interface: $699.- (installed)
- Cubasis VST: $89.- (installed)
 
Sure, it looks like a kick-arse machine. A couple of comments though:

I don't know about the mainboard. Is the model called Premium or is it what the store calls it? Premium usually means "What we make most money from" and not necessarily the best stuff.

The power supply is a tad on the weak side. I would go for 300W or more.

Go for WinNT instead of 98 for recording purposes.

I'm not sure that the price is all that good. I don't know the prices in the U.S though so I'll leave the suggestions to someone "over there". I think there has been some suggested systems in old posts that have costed far less. Then you would have to assemble the parts yourself but it's really quite simple.

Make sure that the Echo Mona soundcard is the best for your recording situation.

Get a 19" (or more) monitor. 17" may look large enough but you'll soon grow tired of scrolling.

Wait for Slack's comments before you decide though.

Good luck

/Ola
 
First, there's no such thing as A/V hardware. Well, not really. They're just saying that it'll be good for A/V, which doesn't mean that you should be paying top dollar BTW.

Second, avoid the i820 chipset if you're going to be using SDRAM. Why? 1) Intel has admitted that the i820 chipset is flawed when it comes to SDRAM support in that it will not properly detect all compliant SDRAM modules and that using ECC memory can cause crashes 2) Intel has admitted that the 440BX chipset with SDRAM can outperform an i820 even with RDRAM!! Seriously. Don't believe me? I did a quick search and here's the first couple sites I checked:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/990904-000002.html http://www7.tomshardware.com/mainboard/99q4/991005/i820-13.html

Problem: "But I need some of the features of the i820!!"

Resolution: No you don't...or at least you don't need them from an i820. Crafty motherboard manufacturers like Abit and Asus offer 440BX boards with advanced features like AGP4X, which you don't need, ATA66, which you don't need (onboard), 133Mhz FSB support (see also VIA133), etc.

Third, why would you pay top dollar for a SCSI CDRW...especially a slow one like that? Get an ATA66 controller on a BX motherboard and you'll be happy & save some $$$.

Fourth, BEWARE "premium" motherboards. Get the man. and model number and post it here. Otherwise you'll end up with an Intel Seattle or something. Puke.

Fifth, as suggested above, consider NT4 or better yet, Windows 2000. But be sure that there are drivers for the fancy soundcard you plan on buying.

In summary, what I would suggest:

- 440BX chipset
- Asus P3B-F or Abit BE6-II mobo
- Intel PIII600 coppermine
- Kingston or PNY PC100 or PC133 SDRAM
- Same hard drives as above
- Consider NT4
- BIG GIANT CASE WITH A BIG POWER SUPPLY
- ATA66 controller and an EIDE 8x8x32 CDRW.

Notes: Kingston makes great memory and they recently dropped prices to "earth" levels. I bought 128MB a few weeks ago for $92.
Also, the bigger the case the better as you'll discover later when you're installing more hardware. A big power supply isn't necessary, but they'll often be more stable and therefore reduce the chance of nasty hiccups.

Slackmaster 2000
 
Slack's right on, if I may just reinforce that if you have a 133mhz FSB, you might as well spend the extra $7 and get PC133 RAM...

stranger233
 
Hi.
I recomend AMD K6 2, works better.
believe it, or not.
 
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