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From: taob@io.org (Brian Tao)
Newsgroups: io.general,io.computers,comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.misc,alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus,comp.os.linux.hardware,comp.os.386bsd.misc,comp.os.os2.misc
Subject: List of recommended hardware components
Date: 26 Jan 1995 08:44:52 -0500
Organization: Internex Online (io.org) Data: 416-363-4151 Voice: 416-363-8676
Lines: 77
Message-ID: <3g890k$cbl@ionews.io.org>
NNTP-Posting-Host: ionews.io.org
I posted an article a little while back asking for hardware
recommendations for a box that would be primarily running Linux and
XFree86 as an X terminal. It is now a box that runs OS/2 Warp and
FreeBSD + XFree86, but that shouldn't change anything (no flames please
;-) ).
After considering about a dozen e-mail replies and sitting on IRC
for the better part of a day talking to other netters, I've been able
to draw up a nice hardware setup that should work with all the major
operating systems available for Intel systems, give you decent
performance and not break the bank. Luckily, a few of the choices had
near unanimous approval, which made my job a lot easier.
After balancing cost considerations and my requirements (i.e., I
don't need the absolute fastest video), I've come up with the following
system:
* ASUS PCI/I-486SP3G mainboard, 486DX2/66, 256K cache, two serial
ports (16550 UART), integrated NCR53C810 SCSI-2 controller,
four 72-pin SIMM slots (max 128 megabytes RAM)
* 16 megabytes RAM (2x8-meg SIMM's)
* Seagate ST566ON 540-megabyte SCSI-2 hard disk
* ATI Mach32 Graphics Ultra Pro, 2 megabytes VRAM
* MAG DX17F Energy 17" multisync monitor -or-
Viewsonic 17G 17" multisync monitor
* SMC Elite 16T Ultra Ethernet interface, 10 Mbps, RJ-45
The ASUS PCI board received positive reviews in several FAQ's that I
consulted and 486SP3G owners are generally quite satisfied with it. I
like it because it integrates the NCR SCSI controller (recommended by
five people) right on the motherboard. Two serial ports also come with
it, with either two 16550 UART's or hardware that emulates having two
of them. It only has 4 SIMM slots, but I don't expect to ever need
more than 32 megabytes per terminal. ASUS has a Web site with product
info at http://www.asus.com.tw/.
I didn't choose the Seagate for any particular reason... what is
bought in the end could just as well be a Quantum or Micropolis or
Fujitsu drive. Any names to stay away from in the 500-meg range?
For video, an ATI Mach64 Graphics Pro Turbo or a #9 GXE64Pro with
four megs would be cool, but they run over $500 each. 1280x1024x256 is
sufficient, as long as it is non-interlaced and provides a comfortable
refresh rate (70Hz or faster). The ATI Mach32 GUP fits the bill nicely
and has excellent driver support in both Warp and XFree86 3.1. Of
course, if it turns out the budget is there for a nicer system, then
I'll ask for a Mach64 or S3/964 card. :)
By the same reasoning, I would love to buy a Sony 17" or 20" monitor,
but those beasts are pretty darned expensive. I'll settle for either a
MAG or a Viewsonic 17" monitor. Those who have used either (or both)
say they are of very high quality and will give a sharp 1280x1024
picture.
Finally, just about everyone who volunteered some info recommended
the SMC Elite Ultra series of Ethernet interfaces. The 3COM Etherlink
III was also mentioned and someone pointed out that even an ISA
NE2000-based card will do the job quite nicely. My current card (based
on the NE2000) is quite reasonable, even under heavy NFS load or X11
servering. I assume the SMC will do no worse.
The above system, if you shop around and put the parts together
yourself, can be had for a little over US$2600, or almost NT$68000.
Prices for PC components in Taiwan are comparable to those in the U.S.,
so I've met my goal of spending NT$70000 or less for a PC that performs
comparably to entry-level workstations that cost twice as much (I am
working in Taiwan, in case anyone was wondering why I mention NT$).
If anyone else is shopping around for a system, I hope this list
has been of some use. I can e-mail my "short list" of alternative
components if anyone is interested. Also, any last-minute comments
should be e-mailed before I submit the proposal early next week.
Thanks for your time.
--
Brian Tao:: taob@io.org (Internex Online, 416-363-4151, 150 lines, v.32ter)
::::::::::: - - --===+ Home page URL = http://www.io.org/~taob/ +===-- - -