Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : Dream Machine ( Build your own PC ) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: GrnArrow who wrote (92)	2/1/1998 3:59:00 PM
From: Street Walker	Read Replies (7) \| Respond to of 14778

Hard Drive ZP: the IBM review sounds good. Where can I compare with the Quantum hard drives? Mike: I'm going to assemble a trading computer running 4 monitors. I currently use Castle, BMI cable feed for charts, plus the internet and mIRC on one computer and 17" monitor. I'm currently doing this on a p133 and 32SDRAM. Cable feed lags. For multitasking, and running several monitors, I'm going with 128 SDRAM (as for now). Castle suggests 64 RAM just for the kill key, and as time goes on, all trading systems will become more sophisticated needing more RAM and higher speeds. Your not just building/buying a computer for now, but to be capable of running future software. Remember when 4Ram was in? Then 8RAM? 16RAM was overkill. That's ancient history. Now days, you can never have enough RAM. As for the sufficient speed of the CPU for streaming data (great question you asked), I plead ignorance, except that the answer may be the same as I have given you for the RAM. Intel 100mhz boards will only work with their future 400mHz chip soon to be released. Over kill??? S.W.

To: GrnArrow who wrote (92)	2/1/1998 7:57:00 PM
From: Zeuspaul	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 14778

>>What's ECC ECC stands for Error Checking and Correction. It is available in 16,32,64,128 MB sizes at least. Here is a site that has these sizes. I don't know anything about this site, just using it for example. I don't know anything about performance of ECC RAM. I believe its function is error related rather than speed. tritechgroup.com If you chose the right motherboard you will be able to remove the CPU and replace it with a faster one at a later date if it becomes necessary. Also if you pay attention to the number of RAM slots on the motherboard you will be able to add more RAM. If there are four DIMM slots you would be able to start with 64 MB in one slot and then add 64MB later on and still have two more slots for future expansion. You can upgrade Dell and Gateway computers but you will not have as many options as you would have if you opt for an open architecture machine. We are using the term "assemble" for those who will physically put one of these things together. We are "building" these machines on paper at the moment. There are several places that will assemble a custom configuration for you. I still go back and forth as to whether or not I will assemble this thing myself. Regards Zeuspaul

To: GrnArrow who wrote (92)	2/3/1998 12:46:00 AM
From: Zeuspaul	Respond to of 14778

ECC RAM ECC RAM is an option on many types of RAM. For example you can get ECC SDRAM or ECC EDO DRAM. Your motherboard must support ECC or at minimum the error correction will not work. Parity is another form of error checking. It is possible to use two parity RAM chips in pairs to get the same results as ECC. ECC will have the effect of speeding up your system if you consider that you will have less of a chance of a lock-up. From the Advantage memory site: (I can't figure out how to link you directly to the page but if you click on support and then half way down the page click on Frequently Asked Questions you will be able to read more about it.) advantagememory.com Excerpts >>'ECC' or Error Checking and Correcting permits error detection as well as correction of certain errors. Typically, ECC can detect single and dual bit errors, and can correct single bit errors. << >>Using parity SIMMs in matched pairs is the most effective use of a 64-bit wide memory bus and the check-bits present on parity SIMMs. This yields error detection and correction as capable and reliable as any other form of ECC commonly available.<< >>On most systems, a parity error detection results in the computer system freezing entirely and the displaying of a 'Parity Error' message on the screen. The system must then be restarted.<< >>Our feeling is that given the instability of modern computer Operating Systems and massive applications, and the interactivity of memory and hard drive, detecting every failure is critical.<< >>Essentially, non-parity is like driving a car with all the warning lights disconnected. It's probably running just fine and has the correct amount of oil and coolant. But, what if the oil pump failed?<< >>Defective non-parity could be damaging every file stored on your hard drive, and you may never know what caused the damage.<< Onward Zeuspaul