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: Zeuspaul who wrote (1171)	6/7/1998 11:47:00 AM
From: Len	Respond to of 14778

To anyone..... Throughout this discussion of multi-monitors (an excellent one, by the way), I haven't seen a mention of a question I have.. In NT, if you choose to go with multiple video cards as opposed to a multi-montitor card, does each card require it's own IRQ, or do they share one? I know that I have used certain video cards that ran without using an IRQ, but some others have required me to enable the card to use an IRQ, by way of the BIOS. Couple of other off-topic questions..... In my device manager in WIN95, I have an entry called "IRQ holder for PCI Steering" sharing two IRQ's (one sharing the video card's IRQ, the other sharing the ethernet adapter's IRQ). Anyone know what that is? Anyone have any experience with any PII mobo's by Shuttle? I have had great luck with numerous mobo's from them, both MMX and pre-MMX. Anyone??? Thanks Len

To: Zeuspaul who wrote (1171)	6/7/1998 12:43:00 PM
From: Spots	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 14778

>>Is the slower speed of an ISA slot a consideration regarding the ethernet card. ISA is too slow for 100mb, but 10mb works fine. In the foreseeable future internet at 10mb is probably the topside of dream world. You could always add a second 100mb pci NIC for a local connection later if you had a slot. In other words, no downside to ISA 10mb if external factors constrain you to 10mb anyhow. You COULD go whole hog and put in a 10/100 switch to get 100mb local connection plus a bridge to 10 mb internet, but with the exception of (possibly) a 10baseT NIC or two at about $30 bucks apiece, you'd still need all the same equipment you'd need for the 10mb solution plus more. Spots

To: Zeuspaul who wrote (1171)	6/7/1998 1:09:00 PM
From: BubbaFred	Read Replies (5) \| Respond to of 14778

I would greatly appreciate getting suggestion / recommendation on how to upgrade my PC. Present system is an early 1996 Micron Millenia that has small hd that is compressed with Mijenix Freespace. Micron Support is not much help unless I buy components from them. They have been uncooperative and had made me uninstall all upgrades (Ram, video card, and modem) that I installed myself. This system frequently crashes or freezes. Norton Utilities doesn't help much, except keeps it running again after reboot. I like to do the following upgrade: Add another hd - but don't know which one would be compatible. Change the BIOS - because the one that still on it is very unstable. Change the processor? New cables and other connectors? Name of reliable hardware vendor with reasonable prices would also be helpful to econmize upgrade cost. CPU001043 Intel Pentium 166 w/ fan processor 32 M EDO with added 96 M MC0004 256K Syncburst Ram Cache on motherboard HDD001012 Conner CFP2107S 2G SCSI hd CCD0010027 Buslogic Ultra SCSI BT-930 FlashPoint CDR001022 Plextor 6X SCSI CD Rom VCD001111 Number 9 Imagine 128 VRAM 4MB Fixed Upgraded soundcard to Creative Labs AWE64

To: Zeuspaul who wrote (1171)	6/7/1998 2:47:00 PM
From: Dave Hanson	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 14778

I'm working on a long answer to Street Walker and the thread, but I can't keep up with all of you. :) I'll try to post it within an hour or so. As to your points here: -I would definitely go PCI for the network card, especially if my internet connection were through it. Several reasons for this--lower CPU overhead, busmastering ability, ability to use a fast rather than standard ethernet hookup at little or no extra charge, etc. I can elaborate on these later if needed. -I agree that aside from the relatively minor price diff, the P2L97's only real advantage over the P2B is the extra PCI slot--but if one's using SCSI or network (or both) and doesn't mind having them on board (or prefers it), this reason goes away. My earlier posts discuss why one might prefer the BX chipset more generally. -I'm working on a reply to Networm's post re CPU choices. -With the BX chipset, RAM shouldn't be as fussy, especially if it's PC 100 certified. Two weeks ago, I'd agree it wasn't worth the price premium--now, I think it is (only $30 or so for a 128 meg stick!) I wouldn't go Corsair myself--extra price not compensated by extra reliability--but this is certainly debatable and I'm no expert on this. -NT not only needs more ram (tho 64 is usually plenty for its _needs_), it _uses_ the extra Ram better. If one starts with 128 or more (a good idea at current RAM prices), NT becomes more compelling. -I agree with the rest. More soon, :) Dave