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

[Ron Youvan]

> 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.

   Don't get stuck here, if you must you can buy USB or IP serial servers,
and parallel neither are cheep.

> 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?

   You need to get past having ISA slots, they are "really gone man."

> 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!

   With winders (I'm 100% non Micro$oft- all LINUX) memory is never wasted,
anything else can always be pre loaded to impress you with "how fast apps.
are launched."  I have been told this can be turned off.
   (I am stuck with M$ at work!)  The more memory you have the less "swap
space" (HD) you will use.

> 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!

   Don't buy retail, find a "warehouse to you supplier" nearby or "on line."
-- 
    Ron