First post from new machine!

[PowerJoe]

The P200 is finally gone! Enter my new machine:
- matsonic 7117C MB (VIA Apollo133, on-board CMI8738 sound and PCTel modem)
- Pentium III 733 FCPGA (no OC)
- 128MB PC133
- Creative TNT2 32MB (using 5.32 reference drivers)
- MAG 770V monitor (not too happy with it...)
- Maxtor 20GB 7200RPM
- X50 CDROM
- old keyboard and Logitech mouse
- old IBM EtherJet 10/100 (Intel 82557)

Perhaps not the hotrods that seems to be common around here, but I'm fairly happy with it. RC5 went from 420kkeys/sec to 1840. As of now I'm running Win98SE, but I intend to dual-boot to Win2K in about 2 weeks.

One question though: my old SB16 had 2 output plugs (not quad - both playing the same thing), and I was using both. This one only has one - so can I use some form of a splitter for it? Also, the volume is really low (I need to set my stereo volume to 35 to get the same level as I did with 12 on the old machine). I'm using the latest CMI reference driver. Can I do something?

-PJ

 

[pdo]

Looking good. Just wondering how often do upgrade.

 

[konichiwa]

Nice! Why no overclock? Oh, is that p3 the 'B'?

 

[PowerJoe]

I upgrade very seldom. The old comp is from 5/97, and went only through minor upgrades (32MB->64MB, hand-me-down display card...)

Yes, the proc is running 133X5.5 . The MB leaves very little to be tweaked in this regard. I was considering a PIII/600, but couldn't find any under 667 (Israel is a strange place for hardware).

I'm starting to have second thoughts about the monitor. I'll live with it for a week, and then decide. I might get stuck with it nontheless.

Gotta go...

-PJ

 

[Erasmus-X]

<< One question though: my old SB16 had 2 output plugs (not quad - both playing the same thing), and I was using both. This one only has one - so can I use some form of a splitter for it? Also, the volume is really low (I need to set my stereo volume to 35 to get the same level as I did with 12 on the old machine). I'm using the latest CMI reference driver. Can I do something? >>



To do that, just head over to a local electronics store (i.e. Radio Shack, Best Buy, Circuit City) and purchase a stereo miniplug splitter. It shouldn't cost more than $3-4. The problem you're having with volume is most likely the fact that very few new sound cards and chipsets have onboard amplifiers (which degrade sound quality). This is something you just have to live with if you use a stereo. At least you're not using passive speakers....

 

[AMB]

Considering how much you have spent on a new computer, have you thought spending out a litte more on a Sb Live Value

 

[PowerJoe]

Yes I have considered an SBlive. But I don't consider the 80-90$ (don't post online prices for me, it's irrelevant around here) as a good investment. I don't play games, don't do midi, just listen to CD/MP3, so I fail to see what a live will get me (except for the need to download 30MB over my modem).

Erasmus-x - Since my post I've talked to my brother, who is more knowledgable in audio electronics than myself, and he said pretty much the same. I'll certainly look into it.


Damn it, new computer at my place, and here I am posting from a 486 portable... will the night ever end?

-PJ