[Ham-Computers] Questions about building a 'new' computer

[Philip Atchley]

Hello,

IF things work out as expected, I may be in a position to build myself a 
new computer later this month or early next month.  Basically, for quite 
a few years now I've built all the computers that I've used, including 
this 600MHz PIII, usually using motherboards and other items that I 
bought used when somebody "upgraded", often recycling various components 
from computers I've parted out (Hard drives, CD ROMS etc).   This time I 
intend to build it from the "ground up", using quality components (It 
may take me a little time to get all the goodies together).  This 
present 600MHz P3 would then replace my wifes 200MHz "Email" machine 
(which doesn't do USB etc).

It seems that most commercially built computers now days have done away 
with the "legacy" serial, parallel ports and only have a couple PCI card 
slots (if that) etc, only providing USB ports.  As this new machine will 
have to support radio control, radio decoding etc,  it should have the 
following characteristics.

1.  Modern (P4) processor of over 2GHz speed, fast RAM.  I DON'T 
overclock as I don't need the problems.
2.  Support for both ISA and PCI cards.
3.  At 'least' two serial ports and a Parallel port "just in case", 
along with the usual USB.
4.  LAN support, either on-board or by NIC card.
5.  Either on-board video or support for my present Nvidia (AGP?) card 
which has  64MB video ram.
6.  Allow a plug-in audio card (some "on-board" sound chips don't 
support some radio decoding programs).
7.  At LEAST one 'Swappable' HD for Cloning (backup) purposes (I 
presently have to open up the machine to connect the backup drive for 
cloning).

Questions:
1.  What would be the 'best' processor for this application, Intel or 
AMD?  I've always leaned towards Intel, but have heard some good things 
about the newer AMDs.

2.  Considering that I want "Legacy" support, what would be the best MB 
(motherboards if more than one is equal) for this application?

3.  In "real world use", how much RAM would you suggest for Win XP 
running multiple applications at once? I want "enough", but don't want 
to waste money!

4.  Assuming the fast processor, TWO hard drives, TWO CD ROM drives (one 
writable DVD) etc, how much "power supply" should I look for in the case 
I buy?

5.  And FINALLY, taking into consideration honesty, "in stock" and 
prices, what is a 'suggested' place (s) to buy my hardware from? We have 
a couple small "mom and pop" computer stores in town that have limited 
stocks on hand along with Best Buy etc, but I suspect an "On-line" store 
would have more choice, but many On-line places aren't all that good to 
do business with!


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73 de Phil,  KO6BB
If it's over 1dB above the Noise Floor, "IT AIN'T DX"!

THE BEACONEER'S LAIR:  http://www.geocities.com/ko6bb/
QSL GALLERY: http://photobucket.com/albums/y123/KO6BB/
Merced, Central California,    37.3N  120.48W  CM97sh

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