As I said in a previous post, Creative doesn't make their own boards, Shuttle makes it for them. I have access to one of these BlasterPCs so if you have any questions, I might be able to answer some of them.
<< 1. The retail Live! 5.1 upgrade does include "Optical In" and "Optical Out" connectors, however The Blaster PC Kit includes
only "Optical Out." The "Optical In" port was eliminated due in part, because it was rarely used. The only devices that require
"Optical In" are DAT drives and MiniDisc drives, both of which have been replaced by faster, cheaper alternatives. >>
DAT and MiniDisc have been replaced by faster, cheaper alternatives?
Really? Tell that to all the people who record live shows...
They ALL use DAT or MiniDisc. What is this faster, cheaper
alternative you're talking about? The reason for the digital
input jacks is precisely to allow DAT/MiniDisc to be downloaded.
Always has been. And DATs and MiniDiscs continue to be VERY popular
for the same reason they were popular a couple of years ago...
<< 3. Although the Blaster PC Kit features an UDMA 33 controller speed, ATA/100 or SCSI controllers can be added to the
system. Both are inexpensive and readily available. >>
Yes, but having to place your boot drives on an ATA/100 or ATA/66
card introduces annoying problems with respect to drivers with
most operating systems. You've got to load the system on the UDMA33
connection, add the drivers, then move the drive to the card.
Also, this ties up one of your PCI slots. Not a TERRIBLE thing,
but definitely a "ding" on this board. If you think UDMA 66 or
UDMA 100 is important, anyway (which I don't, really).
<< 4. The 200-watt power supply, while criticized, is not only sufficient but provides premium power to this system. In fact, most
comparable Gateway and Dell machines ship with just a 145-watt power supply. And the Blaster PC Kit's power supply
provides extra connectors to expand your system. TigerDirect has built and tested fully configured systems, adding all optional
devices and experienced no problems - in fact there was room to grow! We consider this power supply a main selling point of
this kit. >>
An underpowered system does not typically exhibit obvious problems.
Instead, what you will find is occasional unpredictable instabilities.
Sure, the system will fire up with a 200 watt PS, and sure it'll
support a bunch of devices. And, truth be told, 200 watts is
adequate for people who plan to use their system mostly for gaming
or other non-critical apps. But to call a 200W PS a "premium" feature
is silly. Yes, if you buy a low-end consumer line computer you may
find yourself with a cheapo 145W PS. But those cheap PS units
are mostly found on computers NOT designed with significant
expansion in mind, and not intended for 24/7 type operation.
A 240-250W PS is considered the baseline for a "good" computer system,
and that value is moving up to 300W in many systems (although
that's in large part to the increased power requirements of
Athelon systems, which this is not). Bottom line is that you
can get away with a 200W PS, but this is NOT a "premium" PS.
Kwad
My 2 cents
- While the BX chipset has been known to OC to 133FSB, it is by NO MEANS a guaranteed thing.
- The ability of the mobo to support the fastest P3s depends on its ability to provide enough power for the CPU core. See Intel's P3 spec at P3 spec
- while it's true that the real benefits of 4X AGP are usually not realized, it is not true that you need a P4. The i815, i820 and i840 chip sets for the P3 currently support 4X AGP.
- Power supply wattage by itself doesn't mean much. 145 clean watts with no sag can be better than 200 watts that suck under transients. 200W is minimal at best for today's high speed processor. I'd go for 250W MINIMUM.
- yes, you should be able to use a P3 slotket with a FCPGA370 P3
- IMHO, this is a decent deal, if you don't mind using a PC for home entertainment. I'd be concerned with the noise of the system as a whole, not to mention the cost of added amplifiers to drive speakers. You might be better off with a DVD/HT receiver combo sold at many retail stores. Note that the Sb Live! products are not the best in audio cards, despite the ad copy. Here's some independent sound card testing and comparison from PcAVtech technical sound card comparison
- While the BX chipset has been known to OC to 133FSB, it is by NO MEANS a guaranteed thing.
- The ability of the mobo to support the fastest P3s depends on its ability to provide enough power for the CPU core. See Intel's P3 spec at P3 spec
- while it's true that the real benefits of 4X AGP are usually not realized, it is not true that you need a P4. The i815, i820 and i840 chip sets for the P3 currently support 4X AGP.
- Power supply wattage by itself doesn't mean much. 145 clean watts with no sag can be better than 200 watts that suck under transients. 200W is minimal at best for today's high speed processor. I'd go for 250W MINIMUM.
- yes, you should be able to use a P3 slotket with a FCPGA370 P3
- IMHO, this is a decent deal, if you don't mind using a PC for home entertainment. I'd be concerned with the noise of the system as a whole, not to mention the cost of added amplifiers to drive speakers. You might be better off with a DVD/HT receiver combo sold at many retail stores. Note that the Sb Live! products are not the best in audio cards, despite the ad copy. Here's some independent sound card testing and comparison from PcAVtech technical sound card comparison
lungster, I don't know about the sound card review, the give excellent to the cards that like unknown to everyone or just simply build in. And also, the driver they have for testing is kind of outdated, dated back to 98 and 99.
and to inform you all, the case is still ordering, they said it will be in in another 2 weeks. well, that's what they told me last week.
and to inform you all, the case is still ordering, they said it will be in in another 2 weeks. well, that's what they told me last week.
For those who have received the case already, can you post some results? This case seems interesting, and I'd like to know if its all that's cracked out to be.
chrisbest01:
You're right; the better sound cards are often geared to the pro market and therefore typically lesser known. But you'll note that some popular names do exist. I use a Fiji (no longer made) in an audio measurement systems - accuracy counts for me. I also use a cheap Malibu (Crystal Semi chip) for regular PC sound. I used to own a Soundblaster32 and it was so bad I decided then I would never buy another Creative Labs product. Live! is definitely a big step up from SB, but its success has far more to do with marketing and name recognition than quality, IMHO.
The factors that control accuracy are usually in the hardware and firmware; the driver version rarely has gross effects on the performance except under some unique circumstances (usually when the driver does something really stupid !)
I provided the URL to the Pcavtech site because I know the quality and integrity of the review at that site. Obviously your mileage may vary; so use the reviews as you wish and shop with your own judgement.
Cheers.
You're right; the better sound cards are often geared to the pro market and therefore typically lesser known. But you'll note that some popular names do exist. I use a Fiji (no longer made) in an audio measurement systems - accuracy counts for me. I also use a cheap Malibu (Crystal Semi chip) for regular PC sound. I used to own a Soundblaster32 and it was so bad I decided then I would never buy another Creative Labs product. Live! is definitely a big step up from SB, but its success has far more to do with marketing and name recognition than quality, IMHO.
The factors that control accuracy are usually in the hardware and firmware; the driver version rarely has gross effects on the performance except under some unique circumstances (usually when the driver does something really stupid !)
I provided the URL to the Pcavtech site because I know the quality and integrity of the review at that site. Obviously your mileage may vary; so use the reviews as you wish and shop with your own judgement.
Cheers.
Lungster, I think they meant you'd need a PIV to really take advantage of the 4x AGP, not that it was a technical requirement. Either way it's a false statement, the performance difference is 10-15% from 2X-4X if you play at anything above 1024x768 resolution.
Here's what I'd do to make this a seriously HOT DEAL:
Celeron 700 Mhz. - ~$75 on pricewatch (set bus to 100 MHz, clocks quite nicely at 1.05 Ghz)
256MB PC133 Crucial CL2 - ~$90 on www.crucial.com/webpromo
PowerColor GeForce 2 MX 32 MB SDR - $84 at http://www.verasoft.com
------------------------
(This is all of course assuming you already have a monitor, hard drive(s), floppy, CD-ROM, etc.)
Total (not including shipping, cables, etc.) $399, including the BlasterPC.
That would be an awesome mid-to-higher range system for a great price.
Here's what I'd do to make this a seriously HOT DEAL:
Celeron 700 Mhz. - ~$75 on pricewatch (set bus to 100 MHz, clocks quite nicely at 1.05 Ghz)
256MB PC133 Crucial CL2 - ~$90 on www.crucial.com/webpromo
PowerColor GeForce 2 MX 32 MB SDR - $84 at http://www.verasoft.com
------------------------
(This is all of course assuming you already have a monitor, hard drive(s), floppy, CD-ROM, etc.)
Total (not including shipping, cables, etc.) $399, including the BlasterPC.
That would be an awesome mid-to-higher range system for a great price.
GhostSoldier,
I have been looking at this deal and agree it could be interesting. Any suggestions on a slocket/cooling for the Celeron? I have access to a 600B, but then overclocking is not an issue with the FSB 133 on that chip already right?
I have been thinking that with a quality slocket and good cooling this could be a nice low cost machine...
I have been looking at this deal and agree it could be interesting. Any suggestions on a slocket/cooling for the Celeron? I have access to a 600B, but then overclocking is not an issue with the FSB 133 on that chip already right?
I have been thinking that with a quality slocket and good cooling this could be a nice low cost machine...
Hi GhostSoldier,
Don't nuke me, but you forgot to add the big arsed heatsink and fans fans fans for your o/c to 1.05ghz. Those two items would add another twenty to thirty ducats to your system. Still
a good deal.
kingink
Don't nuke me, but you forgot to add the big arsed heatsink and fans fans fans for your o/c to 1.05ghz. Those two items would add another twenty to thirty ducats to your system. Still
a good deal.
kingink
Anyone gotten one of these yet?
I found a fair price on some PIII 733/133's and am still wondering which way to go on a CPU. Overclock a celeron with a slocket or get the PIII....
It would be nice to know more about what the BIOS supports and how the AGP would feel about a PIII 733/133.
I found a fair price on some PIII 733/133's and am still wondering which way to go on a CPU. Overclock a celeron with a slocket or get the PIII....
It would be nice to know more about what the BIOS supports and how the AGP would feel about a PIII 733/133.
To quote someone great 
from earlier in this thread:
<< You can run a 133MHz FSB processor on this motherboard, the only possible "negative" effect is that the AGP bus will be overclocked, and will run at 89MHz instead of 66MHz. This is usually fine with most of todays video cards. This limitation is one that applies to the BX chipset. Read these two articles to learn more:
Intel 440BX 133MHz Motherboard Roundup
BX-133 Video Guide
>>
Now, how about sharing the source of these 733's with us
from earlier in this thread:<< You can run a 133MHz FSB processor on this motherboard, the only possible "negative" effect is that the AGP bus will be overclocked, and will run at 89MHz instead of 66MHz. This is usually fine with most of todays video cards. This limitation is one that applies to the BX chipset. Read these two articles to learn more:
Intel 440BX 133MHz Motherboard Roundup
BX-133 Video Guide
>>
Now, how about sharing the source of these 733's with us
santuitman
Platinum Member
- Mar 6, 2001
- 2,347
- 0
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Has anyone gotten one of these yet? It may be a good starter or "first build" for a newbie like myself. Any thoughts??
Benchmarq
Nothing special on the PIII 733's. Went to Pricewach and searched on the processor and came up with a local place in Dallas for $145. I figured if it doesn't post I can return or exchange it pretty easily. I haven't dealt with them before but they are a ten minute drive from my office.
I did find a BIOS update here dated 9/9/99 and 2/2/00 but there is no description about what the upgrade is for. I downloaded and peeked at the contents and no help ther either. Sent them an e-mail asking about supported/suggested CPU upgrade paths and got an error message so I am not sure they are still in business. I plan on calling them tomorrow and will see if they are still around. I get the feeling they might be out of business and these boxes may have been sold to Tiger. I'll post when I find out more about them still being around.
The BIOS description page leads me to believe this is the "Pro" model. When you nose around the Pro pages they list PIII 733 & 933 so hope springs eternal on fast processor support. I don't know if they cheaped out, but all of the systems I looked at were running PC100 RAM. Again my concern about bus stability.
I picked up an ATI Xpert@Play/Rage Pro LT at the First Saturday sale this last weekend for cheap to get the machine running. Not sure it will overclock, but then I'll check in at the graphics forum for that.
I'll update when I get more info.
Nothing special on the PIII 733's. Went to Pricewach and searched on the processor and came up with a local place in Dallas for $145. I figured if it doesn't post I can return or exchange it pretty easily. I haven't dealt with them before but they are a ten minute drive from my office.
I did find a BIOS update here dated 9/9/99 and 2/2/00 but there is no description about what the upgrade is for. I downloaded and peeked at the contents and no help ther either. Sent them an e-mail asking about supported/suggested CPU upgrade paths and got an error message so I am not sure they are still in business. I plan on calling them tomorrow and will see if they are still around. I get the feeling they might be out of business and these boxes may have been sold to Tiger. I'll post when I find out more about them still being around.
The BIOS description page leads me to believe this is the "Pro" model. When you nose around the Pro pages they list PIII 733 & 933 so hope springs eternal on fast processor support. I don't know if they cheaped out, but all of the systems I looked at were running PC100 RAM. Again my concern about bus stability.
I picked up an ATI Xpert@Play/Rage Pro LT at the First Saturday sale this last weekend for cheap to get the machine running. Not sure it will overclock, but then I'll check in at the graphics forum for that.
I'll update when I get more info.
More info here to support the theory that this is from north of the boarder.
BYW the older of the two BIOS files looks funny to me. It links to the same file as the non-Pro file FTP... intentional or not it fits in to the category of curiouser and curiouser.
Now watch me get flamed for calling Toronto north of the boarder. Hey, I used to live in Minneapolis and Toronto is further South than Minneapolis.
BYW the older of the two BIOS files looks funny to me. It links to the same file as the non-Pro file FTP... intentional or not it fits in to the category of curiouser and curiouser.
Now watch me get flamed for calling Toronto north of the boarder. Hey, I used to live in Minneapolis and Toronto is further South than Minneapolis.
There might be a better deal then this. TigerDirect wants nearly $22 for shipping. Check Pricewatch for Soundblaster live platinum and you will find a company that selling this for $155 with free shipping. I couldn't tell if it is the 5.1 or an earlier version....
if you buy a case, it cost around $30 shipping.
I check the other site that sell the kit for 155 free shipping. The company itself does not handle credit card itself, and also their domain name is not register under the company, it's under a person's name.
I check the other site that sell the kit for 155 free shipping. The company itself does not handle credit card itself, and also their domain name is not register under the company, it's under a person's name.
http://www.BlasterPC.ca/ This looks like the same case, but I am not so sure it uses a BlasterPC motherboard instead of just a Live sound card. Nothing simple would reveal a hint of price either, just a long path to a dealer quote.
Hey, It has being a while now...
Any of those first wave brave souls who ordered, care to give us some feedbacks?
Any of those first wave brave souls who ordered, care to give us some feedbacks?
Got mine today. Haven't had time to do much more than unpack and nose around a little, but it seems to be a first rate box. Not exactly cutting edge being slot 1, but all in all a fine deal.
The mobo manual has an addendum which indicates that clock multipliers of up to 9.5 at 100 FSB are available. Anyone know where I can get a deal on a celeron 700 so I can see if it will crank up to 100FSB?
The kit includes a CD with drivers etc. including a "cosmetic" BIOS update to correct an error in reporting PIII 900 clock speeds.
Very pleased with this deal. It will look nice on my $15 Bush desk!!!
Thanks AnandTech!
The mobo manual has an addendum which indicates that clock multipliers of up to 9.5 at 100 FSB are available. Anyone know where I can get a deal on a celeron 700 so I can see if it will crank up to 100FSB?
The kit includes a CD with drivers etc. including a "cosmetic" BIOS update to correct an error in reporting PIII 900 clock speeds.
Very pleased with this deal. It will look nice on my $15 Bush desk!!!
Thanks AnandTech!
I ordered my BlasterPC from CNETPC, is this the same one Tigerdirect is offering with the M003 motherboard? I can't seem to get my C566 or C600 CPUs to function in it. From the online manuals at creative's website (my package didn't come with any manuals ) it looks like only up to 5x multiplier is supported? Could that be the problem or is there a undisclosed 8.5x or 9x jumper setting I could set manually (leaving the jumpers on auto doesn't seem to work). I've tried different video cards, different sized/brand RAM sticks in different slots, different slotkets, reseated the video card and BIOS chip numerous times, used the reset CMOS jumper, but I get no beeps and nothing on the monitor when I power up. The cpu fan works at least though Thanks for any suggestions!
) it looks like only up to 5x multiplier is supported? Could that be the problem or is there a undisclosed 8.5x or 9x jumper setting I could set manually (leaving the jumpers on auto doesn't seem to work). I've tried different video cards, different sized/brand RAM sticks in different slots, different slotkets, reseated the video card and BIOS chip numerous times, used the reset CMOS jumper, but I get no beeps and nothing on the monitor when I power up. The cpu fan works at least though Thanks for any suggestions!Still think it's a hot deal!! Can anyone who bought this give us a feedback on how it's doing? Thanks!
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