How's this PC?

Archived
1

-Asus A7V266-E
-Athlon XP 1900
-1024MB DDR RAM
-60GB HD Set to RAID
-60GB HD set to RAID (So, one 120GB HD)
-Radeon 8500 64MB Vid card (Driver issues, should I go with a Geforce3 to be safe?)
-17" Monitor
-12X DVD ROM
-ThermalTake Dragon Orb1 cooling fan
-2x case cooling fans
-GenX ATX Deluxe MidTower 300W P.S.
-Cheapest sound card possible
-Windows2K Pro And Linux

I'm getting this pretty cheap, so adding won't piss me off too much. Will this be good for graphics? If not, what should I change?

2

I would get a larger Monitor if I were you.

ww

3

Think 19" would be big enough, or should I look at finding a cheap 15 or 17" Flat screen?

4

Well, here are the CG/MM apps i'll be using:
-Maya (Free Personal Edition)
-Gmax
-Photoshop
-Illustrator
-Flash 5
-Shockwave

So, just a bigger monitor? Not a Geforce3 instead of the Radeon?

5

I don't know much about the video card, sorry. I have a GForcce2 ultra and have no complaints about it except for the memory, 32Mb, but this is rairly a problem for me. I have a 19" moniter and it is OK. I wouldn't try anything smaller, it frustrates me to work so cramped. If I had the money to spend I would get a big trinitron monitor before a flat panel. You will find that screen space gets used quickly with maya. Any way good luck with your purchase. I hope it works out for you.

ww

6

splurge and get the 21" you will have it forever...its the only thing for your computer that holds value.
don't chince out when it comes to your eyes.

7

that's a great setup you have there, except for the monitor. Definately get a 19 inch, 21 inch if you can. You don't need a LCD display. Any CRT will do, preferablly one with a flat screen. You can get a 21" monitor from Dell for about $550 shipped. Go to this site for coupon code to get discounts:

http://www.techbargains.com/

As for the radeon, I can't really say since I'm using a geforce 2 ultra. Works great for me. BTW you can buy a geforce 3 ti 200 for about $180 with 64mb ram.

If you can't afford a 21" monitor, drop the raid. Unless you do alot of video editing, you won't need that much disk speed.

but then again what do I know....

8

yeah no doubt...go with IDE if most of what you are doing is 3d...wayyyy cheaper

9

I love my raided(sp?) drive. sooo fast. It is the little things that make a difference., like fcheck loading in real time.

ww

10

Keep the RAID 0 setup, it makes playback of tests etc. so much smoother. HD's I/O rates are the next most important part of your system after Mobo, silicon & RAM.

On the CD speed also,..if you'll be doing a lot of reading image sequences etc. in it'd be worth splashing out on a 52x CD ROM, they're so inexpensive, but'll make such a difference....even in installing your software

11

I got a sony 48x for about $30 bucks a year ago. It sounds like a jet. I get scared that the cd will fly out and slice something off.

12

I think most people would recommend an nVidia solution over a Radeon for Maya or other 3D work.

13

Well, if I get a mobo with RAID...I can get IDE drives, and set them to RAID 0...

52XCD-Rom, I have a 12xDVD-Rom on this system...I thought DVD read faster than CD-Rom..no?

14

I use a RAID 0 set-up on mine, with no problems...however if you really want to max out on the HD speeds I can recommend the RAID (0,1,0/5, 5) setup just spec-ed for a friend of mine, using Adaptec DMA100 RAID Card (2400A) & Maxtor 80 gig / 7200rpm Diamondmax 740XD's.....nice

As for the DVD thing...I'll have a read-up on that, but as I understand the difference between DVD & CD ROMs is mainly that DVD's are written/read in a much tighter spiral track -so'll need a lot more precise read-pattern, which is simpler & less prone to error at low speeds , like LP's -if you remember those LOL

This link to CD inner workings info
http://www.pctechguide.com/09cdr-rw.htm
gives a good overview of many technologies,...allay your fears or confirm your thoughts over your spec. here too maybe