Building second system

[wiltrot]

I'm building a second system soon, next month I'm sure. I have some questions. I'm presently running Athlon Th.Bird slot A 800, Epox MB, on board sound, PC133 SDRAM, AGP 16mb SiS 305. WME/2000. Everthing runs great.
I have an extra Shuttle MB/Athlon Th.Bird slot A 700. But MB only supports PC100 sdram. I'm thinking DDR/Athlon 1.2 this time but want to know if I'm going to see any real difference from the Athlon 800, should I go with a faster processor? And I notice there are video cards that are also DDR, so does that mean I have to use them as well? I'm thinking Radeon DDR 64mb AGP. What do you say? I use broadband Internet and don't know if I should get separate cable modem & line or can I do a home network without comprimising the speed. What about that wireless home network for broadband? Is it any good, what are the pros & cons if any? Sound cards, don't have any ideas. We use our system for playing music so give me a good one.

------------------
http://trotter.infopages.net/

[Gallaeglagh]

It really depends on what you want to do with your second system, my 2nd system is a P2-350 used as a server, music player and video player and it seems fine. If you're just going to use it to play music the most important thing would be the audio card

------------------
When in doubt search on Google

[wiltrot]

I have for kids. The oldest is going to be 8 soon. With home schooling and my wife on the computer all the time I need the second one. So with needing a second computer anyway I might as well plan for the future. I know I'm not much of a gamer but I'm sure with 4 kids someone is bound to be. Yes I admit I'm power hungry, and besides I might want a server. So I'm just looking for some opinions about a few things. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

------------------
http://trotter.infopages.net/

[wiltrot]

I have 4 kids. The oldest is going to be 8 soon. With home schooling and my wife on the computer all the time I need the second one. So with needing a second computer anyway I might as well plan for the future. I know I'm not much of a gamer but I'm sure with 4 kids someone is bound to be. Yes I admit I'm power hungry, and besides I might want a server. So I'm just looking for some opinions about a few things. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif
I also plan to get a digital camera and who knows what else. With a growing family I can't really tell.
------------------
http://trotter.infopages.net/

[This message has been edited by wiltrot (edited 01-12-2002).]

[Ghost_Hacker]

Some notes......

Wireless networking is great if you don't mind the bad security. It will be another year before they fix that problem. So in the meantime make sure you at least use any built in security the device has.

Don't buy any video card that doesn't have DDR memory. You can't go wrong with either the top of the line Radeon or Geforce 64Mb cards.

If your interested in video editing then you will notice a difference between an Athlon 800 with PC100 SDRAM and a 1.2 processor with DDR memory.


For sound I would say that Creative Labs is a safe bet. The lastest Creative card is ,according to what I've read, very good as long as you combine them with a good set of speakers.(Klipsh being the best PC speakers) However, I must say that I consider all PC sound cards and speakers to suck big time when compared to any "true" Audio/Video system. For me when it comes to music and video I don't have time for childs toys like a PC. (the sound that comes out of them reminds me of a little blue record player I had when I was 13. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif )



Have fun http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif



[This message has been edited by Ghost_Hacker (edited 01-12-2002).]

[andyswork@beci.net]

Ghost you put a big smile on my face with your post. Agree with you 100% on sound and vidio, but I did not have a little blue recorder http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

------------------
One day I will be a pro, Thanks Andy

[Rick]

Having been where you are today with the kids ( Many Years ago)
Building a Game system for them today is a waste.
By the time they are into games the system you build today won’t work with the games available then..

You say you’re power hungry .
Then By all means build what is suited for your needs.
Don’t turn a $1000.00 system into an over priced Boom Box.

The 1.2 will work very well with a digital camera ( My wife uses a 1.0 Tbird)
The video card is the most important part for Graphics work. Get the best you can afford.(DDR)

------------------
To ERR is HUMAN
To REALLY screw things UP, YOU NEED a COMPUTER !

[wiltrot]

Now this is just the kind of things I need to know. It helps to have forsight. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/cool.gif

------------------
http://trotter.infopages.net/