"Swiss Army Knife" computer suggestions

[10101a]

I am looking at building a new box to be a "Swiss Army Knife" (do everything) computer. This box will (hopefully) perform multimedia creation functions as well as function as a software development box. I need "stability, stability, stability", like a smart home buyer needs "location, location, location." I do not plan to overclock (1.4Ghz is fast enough), don't need CAS2 or 2.5 memory spec (CAS3 is OK), and I am willing to stick with SDRAM rather than DDR because I want to load the box with 1.5Gb of RAM (and can't afford the DDR solution.) I know I want AMD (XP 1600+ probably), and have had "pretty good" luck with Asus motherboards in the past. I have proven to myself that an ATA100 EIDE drive is fast enough for video editing and audio recording, so I don't want/need SCSI hard drive(s). Here's a list of all the stuff this Swiss Army Knife will hopefully control, with a few specific items that I already own [in brackets]:

• 
  CDRW Drive (Plextor 16x10x40)
  CD/DVD Drive (listen to CDs, load software, etc.)
  80Gb EIDE Hard Drive (ATA100 or ATA133)
  1.5 Gb RAM
  [Initio 9090U SCSI card (for my flatbed scanner)]
  [Pinnacle DV 200 card (Firewire/1394 for DV video capture)]
  [Echo/Event Darla 24 sound card (for audio recording)]
  [Netgear NIC]
  [Asus AGP-V7700 video card (also has analog video I/O)]
  Creative SB Audigy ??? sound card

Please note that I don't own or plan to purchase any USB devices, and don't even plan to use the COM ports on the motherboard. This computer will not be used for games, but I will need to be able to test a typical user's audio playback functions, so I would rather have a current Creative SoundBlaster series card than on-board audio. Since I will have a major fight for IRQs and other resources, I will consider scrapping the Darla sound card in favor of something new (but only if it gives me some real benefit.) Perhaps the Creative Audigy has good enough recording quality (the Live! Platinum does not, IMO) where I could have a single sound card in the system. The Audigy also has a 1394 port, but I would like to hear from someone with experience as to whether just any old 1394 port will perform the same as the Pinnacle DV 200 card when it comes to DV video capture (using Adobe Premiere software.)

I would like to hear from somone that has some experience with setting up a computer "loaded for bear" for multimedia creation, to help me decide on issues that mostly boil down to the motherboard and sound card selections. As you can see, I will end up using 5 PCI slots and will be forced to use PCI sharing to use any onboard ATA100 or 133 controller (such as the Promise.) Even opinions on what order to install hardware and load drivers, and/or which specific PCI slots to use for particular cards will be greatly appreciated. I have built a lot of computers over the years, and I have come to really hate all the trouble it takes to set up hardware. So, I'm hoping you can help me avoid some hassles. The key here is that I'm asking for help from someone with multimedia hardware experience; please don't make this a "my favorite motherboard is..." thread.

TIA for your help,

Dennis

 

[Woody419]

I noticed you do not have a backup in your media box. Once you add a second hdd for backup, whatever board you get will be maxed out. I suggest looking at boards with onboard RAID, not necessarily to use the RAID option but so you have the option to use the extra 4 IDE channels for storage and backup.

I use my computer to send and receive faxes. A "Swiss Army Knife" computer would need a modem. The Abit KT7-133A has 6 PCI/1 ISA slots so you could use either a PCI or a perfectly adequate ISA modem.

This board supports up to 1.5GB ram, and the Version3 of this board will support the fastest AMD chip.

 

[knutp]

If you are going to use it both for audio editing and video editing, you will rely on a large pci transfer. Via chipsets doesn't like that at all.
There have been a few threads about this lately. And you would want ddr memory, as the chipsets for ddr does have a larger possible transfer between the north brigde and south bridge.

And possibly the nforce would be a nice solution for you!

I have put together a system just using the onboard stuff, and it works great! although it runs altot better in win2000/xp than win98/me.

And if you get the nforce you could use the onboard 5.1 sound card insted of the creative audigy. since you are getting a separate card with firewire, then you will not need the firewire on the audigy card.

But im not sure about the pci performance with the nforce, so I can't say for sure it will handle the pci strain you are going to put on it. But I would definately go for either a sis of nforce chip if you will go the amd route. And go for 1 gb ddr ram, it will be more than enough!

But I would say that a p4 solution might be the most stable solution for your needs. Either one with a i850 chipset, or i845-D chipset.

 

[virtuamike]

I say just install Win2K and dump everything onto virtual IRQ9, then let the OS sort out the actual IRQs. It's worked for me, I've had up to 4 PCI cards (sound, modem, NIC, SCSI) in the past and I've never run into an IRQ sharing conflict with Win2K. As much as I hate to say it, your best bet for stability is to go Intel and get an i845 DDR motherboard. The P4 is a great multimedia chip, and the Gigabyte P4 Titan would be a good mobo pick.

 

[10101a]

Woody419:

Thanks for the reply.

I'm on a small (3 node) network with a tape backup on the server, and DSL modem (which I get to via the Lan NIC.) One node is my Win98se box, one node is my NT4 box. I need these for software development and to test completed custom software applications that I write. I plan on using Win2000 in the new box. Hopefully, with Win2000 I will get the benefit of the relative stability of NT4 plus the modern adaptability/PNP capability. (I would not consider WinXP for the new box.) While being in awe of the multitudes of functions that operating systems handle and handle well, I also hate the relative vulnerability of Windows. But that's another thread...

There is a chance that I might add a separate physical HDD just for audio and video functions, later when I can afford the luxury. (Probably an additional 80 to 100Gb drive.) Though I know you are suggesting a RAID capable motherboard for upgrade purposes and not specifically for RAID functionality, even a single 80Gb HDD will meet my storage needs for a while, and I would think that the ability to easily reach 160Gb should give me plenty of headroom. (I have been working with very small video clips so far.) If I ever get a need for a real non-linear video editing workstation, I'm sure I will have to add yet another box.

Using a board with the KT133A chipset seems like a good target, because the well-made KT266A chipset boards (like the Asus A7V266-E) are not only expensive, I don't think any of them support SDRAM. For some of the 3D rendering I do, the extra RAM will make a bigger difference than any other hardware, so I really want to get 1.5Gb. When you look at 512Kb PC2100 DDR sticks, they are double the price of SDRAM! And, to me the SDRAM is fast enough without "wasting" an additional $300 on DDR.

-Dennis

 

[10101a]

virtuamike and knutp:

Thanks for the reply. The last dozen or so boxes I have built for myself or family members have all been powered by AMD. I have gotten so used to the "best-bang-for-the-buck" being AMD that I have not even considered an Intel chip in a long, long time. However, now that the price differential between relatively comparable chips (AMD XP 1600+ and Intel 1.7Ghh P4) is within $50, maybe it is time to re-examine Intel. I have read that paired with a good chipset, the P4 is very stable. I guess the AMD powered boxes under my desk can continue to provide my toes with heat during the cold winter months.

Thanks for your suggestions. I will give serious consideration to a P4 solution. And, I'd like to know more about how virtuamike was able to

<< dump everything onto virtual IRQ9 >>

. (As a software developer faced with OS compatibility issues, I have to be behind the times rather than at the cutting edge when it comes to operating systems, and I have not used Win2000.) Specifically how do you set all these devices to use virtual IRQ 9 in Win2K?

Thanks,

-Dennis

 

[10101a]

OK, now I know the "Gigabyte P4 Titan" is a series of Motherboards. The GA-81DXH supports SDRAM; the GA-81RXP is the DDR board that got the Gold from AnandTech. Anyone out there love or hate the GA-81DXH?

Thanks,

-Dennis

 

[knutp]

The gigabyte boards are nice. But again 1 gb of ddr ram is a better solution than 1.5 gb sdram (in my opinion).

btw check your personal messages