rec.autos.simulators

I'm soon going to get a new computer and was wondering what kind of
computer I should really buy, I would like to get nothing less than a
PII 350 with at least 64MB of RAM, with a 56K Modom and at least a 8 Gig
HD, but my problem is what brand of computer would be best, I don't want
a computer with build in sounds cards into the motherboard or anything
else biuld into the motherboard for that matter, so if anyone can direct
me to a system that doesn't have that then plese let me know. Also if it
all possible to have the computer with a really good 3D Accerator on
board (1 or 2 boards of this kind if possible), either AGP or PCI it
doesn't matter

I would be using the computer for hard core *** and doing heavy
graphic work.

Dwayne W.
Nascar United - Co-Webmaster
http://www.racesimcentral.net/

Hey Dwayne, ever consider just building your own?  It's really the only
way to get exactly what you want in a machine.  I was sort of hesitant to
do it myself, but now that I have, I'd never go back!  It's also way
cheaper in the long run.  If you're worried about difficulty, don't be.
Anyone that's built their own machine will tell you that researching which
components to buy is much harder than actually putting them together.

-Bill

--
Bill Mette      | "A person is smart.  People are dumb."
MCSNet, Chicago |                        - K MiB

Dwayne it sounds like you need to build your own system. You'll never get
what you want from the Dell's, and Gateways.

I built my own system, with the latest hardware, the way I wanted and in the
end I saved 50%.

-Rod

I bought my system from http://www.racesimcentral.net/,128MB,ASUS
P2b-S BX MB with SCSI built in, (SCISI cost more but I had SCSI drives
already) two SCSI hard drives for 9 GB, 32X CD ROM, Sound Blaster Live
Value, Matrox Millenium (my old display card for 2d), two Monster 3d 2 12MB
in SLI, USR 56K modem(Dont get Winmodem), W98, Cambridge Soundworks
Speakers.
As you can see they will build with your old components if you want and they
sell most all the top quality sound, Video cards and other components (they
sell Riva TNT cards also) or you can bring them what you want in it. The
price is good also. I got the ASUS MB for reliability and P2 350 because  I
dont feel confident to play with overclocking yet, but if you do then Abit
MB and Celeron 300a is better for overclocking and cost less.
IMO the best video cards are Riva TNT (AGP),Voodoo 2 (PCI)or Banshee (PCI).
Most all brands are the same except for Canopus (more features and hight=er
price)
I was going to get a Riva TNT video card but I already had the V2 so I just
added another V2 for SLI. If I need another PCI slot then I will get the TNT
AGP card.
There are also companies that make systems stricktly for ***, but for a
high price usually:
http://www.racesimcentral.net/
http://www.racesimcentral.net/
For reviews go to http://www.racesimcentral.net/
Other info on hardware http://www.racesimcentral.net/
http://www.racesimcentral.net/
Good luck
Lutrrell :-)

First, you can't buy the system you need directly from any retailer.  You
can expect to have to build it yourself.

Second, here's the components I'd get:

1) Abit BH6
2) Intel P2/350, 400, or 450 (depends on budget)
3) 64MB PC100 ram (or even 128MB - again depending on budget)
4) Creative Labs Graphics Blaster TNT/AGP
5) Voodoo2/12MB (any manufacturer is pretty much the same)
6) SB-Live "Value" sound card
7) CD-ROM, mouse, keyboard, floppy drive
8) 2gb or 3gb hard drive just for win95/98
9) 8gb (or larger) hard drive for all your apps
10) Get an EXTERNAL U.S.Robotics Sportster 33.6k fax modem.

As far as the modem goes, 56K modems are a scam and are completely
usesless (can't connect at higher than 33.6 speeds) if you're more than
three miles from your telco switch - you may not be able to FIND anything
that's not a 56K modem at this point, but that's okay because it'll work
just fine at the slower speeds too.  One last note here - do NOT buy a
winmodem or an internal modem.  Winmodems only work under windows and
steal CPU cycles during operation (not a good thing for online ***).  
Internal modems are ALWAYS a son0-of-a-*** to configure and keep
working.  I've never had an internal modem that worked as advertised or
didn't***with Win95/98.  You might even want to consider getting a
USB modem.  Alison Hine has had great connections in GPL using one of
these.

Your mileage may vary.

--
=========================================================
John Simmons - Redneck Techno-Biker (Zerex12)
http://www.racesimcentral.net/

John Simmons - Barbarian Diecast Collector
http://www.racesimcentral.net/

IGPS Director
http://www.racesimcentral.net/

If you want to send me email, go to either of the URL's
shown above & click "Send Me Mail" in the contents frame.
=========================================================

Dwayne - you can try Micron - www.micronpc.com. If you
configure and order it off the web, you can get just about
anything you want. Most systems start with onboard sound,
but you can change all that and update your price before
you actually order it... keep in mind that shipping and tax
will probably add nearly $300 to the total that the website
shows you.

Start with their "Millenia Max" configuration if it's power
you want...

Building your own system from scratch is still a good way
to go, but there are alternatives...

- m.

============================================
     Mike Holthouse - Indianapolis, IN
        Drop the "X" to e-mail me.
============================================

Excellent advice! Spend the extra $20 or $30 for a "real"
modem with jumpers on the board...

I disagree here - I have always had good luck by getting an
internal modem WITH COM AND IRQ JUMPERS so that I can force it to
use COM 3, IRQ 5. Forget plug-and-pray ***for modems. The only
problems I have had with those settings is on a Packard Bell
computer, but I didn't have a lot of time to tinker with it
either...

Yes, you may have to monkey around with Win9x to free
up IRQ 5, but it can be done, and once it's done, it shouldn't
give you any more problems... Plus, if you upgrade your
modem by pulling out the old and sticking in the new (with
the COM3/IRQ5 settings made) without re-booting, the
configuration is easier - nothing has a chance to grab your
IRQ 5 that way...

My $0.02...

- m.

============================================
     Mike Holthouse - Indianapolis, IN
        Drop the "X" to e-mail me.
============================================

I keep reading about people who build their own systems, and having done some
reconfiguring, I think I could probably do it.  My question is what source do
people use for the parts for these systems?

Thanks,
Mike U.

I think it would be a shame not to go for the Celeron 300a overclocked
to 450, on an ABIT motherboard.  It's possible that it won't work right
at 450, but then you'd have a 374, still very cheap.

rob.

If you're doing "heavy graphic work" and you want full race replays in
GPL, you need 128MB.

[SNIP]

For ***, this is the best combo you can get.  But again noting the
"hevy graphic work" you mention, you may want to get a Matrox or Number
Nine card for thier 2D image quality.  You would, of course, be stuck
solely with the Voodoo for your 3D acceleration.  Only you can decide if
this is something you're willing to do.

[SNIP]

  True in principle, but not necessarily in number.  56k modems have a
hard time if your ISP's dial-up is outside of your "local call" band.
This is usually 7-10 miles for most US residential carriers.
  Also, your "local" switch is not necessarily the one that is
geographically closest to you.  My "local" switch is actually 5+ miles
further away from my house than the one that is physically closest.  It
all depends on how the phone system is laid out in your area.

BTW - Are you starting to see why I said choosing the pieces is harder
than putting them together? :o)
--
Bill Mette      | "A person is smart.  People are dumb."
MCSNet, Chicago |                        - K MiB

  Only you can decide who is a "good" vendor.  But in terms of popularity,
two of the more famous sites are:

http://www.tccomputers.com and
http://www.memory-man.com
--
Bill Mette      | "A person is smart.  People are dumb."
MCSNet, Chicago |                        - K MiB

  No no no.  Overclocking a 300a to 450 MHz and 374 MHz are two different
things.  450 only changes the FSB (CPU and memory) speed to 100MHz.
Setting an 83MHz bus to obtain 374 changes everything (including your PCI
slots) to using the 83MHz speed.  Some older/crappier PCI cards can run
into problems with this setting.

-Bill

--
Bill Mette      | "A person is smart.  People are dumb."
MCSNet, Chicago |                        - K MiB

Mike,

I go with whoever has the best pricing for the parts I want. Once I know
what I'm after, I look it up on http://www.pricewatch.com

Trips

says...

I mainly shop locally. San Diego has a LARGE concentration of computer
stores - you literally cannot drive one block without seeing one.  Lots
of competition, lots of good prices.

--
=========================================================
John Simmons - Redneck Techno-Biker (Zerex12)
http://www.members.home.net/jms1/index.html

John Simmons - Barbarian Diecast Collector
http://members.home.net/jsimm/diecast_index.html

IGPS Director
http://members.home.net/jms1/igps.html

If you want to send me email, go to either of the URL's
shown above & click "Send Me Mail" in the contents frame.
=========================================================

I found a NG for build-your-own computers or for any computer question at
alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt
Lutrell :-)