Update on My New Computer -- runs 6 monitors
Last year, ZeusPaul and I wanted to build a "Dream Machine".
Unicorn-Systems was very helpful in custom building one
to my specs. Pete went the extra mile and obtained
the exact components I wanted. His prices are extremely
reasonable and he only charges $80 to assemble the computer
and warrenty it parts/labor for 2 years. Its a very small
operation and highly personal. I spent a lot of time looking
around and this is who I chose. After he puts it together, he
runs it for 48 hours puting it through several tests to make sure
it is completely stable. He goes the extra mile. Without hesitation,
I would recommend him over anyone else because the components will be
better than any of the big box makers, and his warrenty is just as good. I doubt the warrenty will every be used because of the quality.
Plus, this has he advantage of 5 pci slots and 7200 rpm HD.
Unicorn Systems, who assembled my computer, now has my
DREAM MACHINE configuration at their web page.
unicorn-systems.com ***********
I chose this motherboard for three reasons:
soyo.com.tw
1. 5 pci slots - A slot for each ATI Xpert 98 Video card, plus
an AGP card giving me a total of 6 cards running 6 monitors at a
much reduced price than going with Appian/Colorgraphics/STB.
2. This card has 1 meg CACHE
3. I wanted to go with a 450 mhz AMD chip (cost is $130) saving
me the money of buying a PII 450 that is more than twice that.
soyo.com.tw
This mobo comes highly rated as well.
TigerSystems: 1-800-335-4058 cost is $69 + shipping
or get one in a complete system from Unicorn.
MidTower Case 250 watt power supply - looks realy nice
128 pc 100 RAM
Hard Drive - for those who don't know it, the Hard Drives you see at the local store are way out dated. They are 5400 rpm's and that
is ancient. If you are going to buy a new HD, get a 7200 rpm and a 66 ATA (don't waste money on 33/ATA)
Here's the very best one:
Western Digital Expert AC 29100 (9.1 gig)
Cost around $225
Number 1 Recommended by: storagereview.com
Ultra ATA/66 High-Speed Host Transfers
Western Digital's WD Expert hard drives transfer data at 66.6 MB/s -- double the burst transfer rate of 33.3 MB/s. Ultra ATA/66 allows host computers to send and receive data at higher rates resulting in increased performance and data integrity.
7200 Performance
33% faster disk transfer rates over 5400 RPM hard drives. This performance boost yields perceptible improvement in real world reaction time on the PC.
pricewatch.com search prices for computer components
But if you don't want the hastle and want a new computer ASAP,
give Pete a call at Unicorn. He'll get you what you want.
Oh, and if you want a deal on VIEWSONIC Monitors:
Call Master Repair 801-568-2710 talk to Kelly - nice gal.
They sell 21" Viewsonics (P815, PT813) for $749
* * *19" monitors (Viewsonic and Optiquest) g790 and V95 for $349
17" monitors between $179-250 if you want a trinitron.
These are a steal at these prices. What's the catch? They are
brand new monitors that were shippied back to viewsonic for some
odd reason and then fixed, so they have the "refurbished" label to
them. Warrenty is 3 years. I went with the 19" g790.
-----------------------------
I am running 6 monitors, no sound, and one ISA slot occupied with
a network card that recieves the internet via Cable. The key to this
system is all the PCI slots in the motherboard. Unicorn Systems was the only place that went out of their way to start carrying this
board just because I wanted it. The same with the Hard Drive.
Those who want a bigger hard drive than 9.1, WD makes the same 7200
in an 18 gig.
I also added Corel Suite and the anti-virus.
unicorn-systems.com
Prices are dropping. Mine came to $1300.
Do you own configuration at his web site. Probably cheaper than
mine now that its been a week, so goes the industry.
What a deal for a 450 mhz, 1 meg cache MB, 6 video cards,
128 ram, 7200 rpm hard drive, and five fans to keep it cool. Oh,
and did I say that it is extremely quiet? It is.
This is not replacing any computers, but it is an addition to
3 others. They are all networked and use the same internet connection via sygate.com - THE VERY BEST SOFTWARE I HAVE EVER BOUGHT.
I received the computer tonight and its my Dream Machine
that has finally become a reality. Its ever bit as good as
I thought it would be! And what fun it will be to have
Real Tic III running on 6 monitors - all full of candle charts and TA.
Regards,
S.W. |
