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

[don]

cant answer most  but I run 512 megs ram with xpand have no problems
2 hd 2 cd(1 writeable)
5 usb ports plus a 4 port hub
and its all powered with a 350 watt supply
bought this off the shelf from a supplier
and have 32 meg ram on video card
run a weather station radio and radio scanner and flatbed scanner and 
printer, plus surf write e-mail and check out pdf files and instant 
messenger programs
just for fun its a 1.9ghz processor

Don
Peace Through Superior Firepower
REAL TIME WEATHER OBS  http://myweb.cableone.net/wxfreqrs/
JCARA RADIO HOMEPAGE http://www.jcmsara.org

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Philip Atchley" <beaconeer at sbcglobal.net>
To: "Computers" <ham-computers at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, October 06, 2005 11:44 AM
Subject: [Ham-Computers] Questions about building a 'new' computer


> 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!
>
>
> ******************************************************
> 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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