mirror of https://github.com/tLDP/LDP
updated
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parent
ec614f59c3
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@ -29,9 +29,18 @@ configure generic PC hardware for cheap, powerful Unix systems.
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</abstract>
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</abstract>
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<revhistory>
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<revhistory>
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<revision>
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<revnumber>4.0</revnumber>
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<date>2007-11-02</date>
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<authorinitials>esr</authorinitials>
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<revremark>
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Major revisions by Jonathan Marsden on SATA, bus standards,
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DVDs and other topics, followed by a cleanup pass from me.
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</revremark>
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</revision>
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<revision>
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<revision>
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<revnumber>3.3</revnumber>
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<revnumber>3.3</revnumber>
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<date>2007-09-13</date>
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<date>2007-18-13</date>
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<authorinitials>esr</authorinitials>
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<authorinitials>esr</authorinitials>
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<revremark>
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<revremark>
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Updated for 2007 conditions. CRTs are dead. BTX is
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Updated for 2007 conditions. CRTs are dead. BTX is
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@ -347,12 +356,18 @@ out of the way.</para>
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<para>The system bus is what ties all the parts of your machine together.
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<para>The system bus is what ties all the parts of your machine together.
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This is an area in which progress has simplified your choices a lot. There
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This is an area in which progress has simplified your choices a lot. There
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used to be no fewer than four competing bus standards out there (ISA, EISA,
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used to be no fewer than <emphasis>four</emphasis> competing bus standards
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VESA/VLB, PCI, and PCMCIA). Now there is effectively just one —PCI-X
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out there (ISA, EISA, VESA/VLB, PCI, and PCMCIA). Now there are
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effectively just <emphasis>two</emphasis> —PCI-X on servers, and PCIe
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for desktop/tower machines. Even PCI is now legacy technology, and the
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for desktop/tower machines. Even PCI is now legacy technology, and the
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PCMCIA bus that seemed so important a few years back has been reduced to
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PCMCIA bus that seemed so important a few years back has been reduced to
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near-irrelevance by Ethernet and WiFi hardware built onto
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near-irrelevance by Ethernet and WiFi hardware built onto motherboards.
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motherboards.</para>
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The newcomer is PCIe, which is (in late 2007) a
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‘video-card-mostly’ bus, though it seems to be gaining in
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popularity for other uses too on mainstream desktop motherboards, whereas
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PCI-X is only found on higher end ‘server’ motherboards.
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</para>
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</sect3>
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</sect3>
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<sect3 id="memory"><title>Memory</title>
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<sect3 id="memory"><title>Memory</title>
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@ -367,6 +382,12 @@ types that used to be out there.</para>
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machine's bus speed, then buy as much as you can afford to stuff in your
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machine's bus speed, then buy as much as you can afford to stuff in your
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machine.</para>
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machine.</para>
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<note><para>DDR3 RAM is beginning to appear. Right now its extra expense
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over DDR2 is not worth paying, for all but extremely specialized needs. It
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is almost always <emphasis>far</emphasis> more useful to have 4GB of
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reasonably fast RAM, than 2GB of very fast RAM, in your
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machine.</para></note>
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<para>For more technical stuff on memory architectures, see <ulink
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<para>For more technical stuff on memory architectures, see <ulink
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url="http://www.kingston.com/tools/umg/default.asp">The Ultimate Memory
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url="http://www.kingston.com/tools/umg/default.asp">The Ultimate Memory
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Guide</ulink> maintained by Kingston Technologies.</para>
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Guide</ulink> maintained by Kingston Technologies.</para>
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@ -387,10 +408,10 @@ replaced the older PS/2-style dedicated connector. XFree86 autodetects
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your mouse when it starts up, so configuration is not a big deal any
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your mouse when it starts up, so configuration is not a big deal any
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more.</para>
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more.</para>
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<para>Beware that most PC vendors, being Windows-oriented, bundle
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<para>Some PC vendors, being Windows-oriented, still bundle two-button
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two-button mice. Thus, you may have to buy your own
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mice. Thus, you may have to buy your own three-button (or two button and a
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three-button mouse. Ignore the adspeak about dpi and pick a
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scroll wheel) mouse. Ignore the adspeak about dpi and pick a mouse or
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mouse or trackball that feels good to your hand.</para>
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trackball that feels good to your hand.</para>
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<para>Your humble editor really, really likes the Logitech TrackMarble, an
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<para>Your humble editor really, really likes the Logitech TrackMarble, an
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optical trackball that eliminates the chronic roller-fouling problems of
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optical trackball that eliminates the chronic roller-fouling problems of
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@ -400,11 +421,11 @@ accept them.</para>
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</sect3>
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</sect3>
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<sect3 id="floppies"><title>Floppy Drives</title>
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<sect3 id="floppies"><title>Floppy Drives</title>
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<para>There's no longer much to be said about floppy drives. They're cheap,
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<para>There's no longer much to be said about floppy drives. They're
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they're generic, and the rise of CD-ROM drives as a cheap distribution
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cheap, they're generic, and the rise of CD-ROM and DVD-ROM drives as a
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medium has made them much less important than formerly. You only ever see
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cheap distribution medium has made them much less important than formerly.
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the 3.5-inch ‘hard-shell’ floppies with 1.44MB capacity
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You only ever see the 3.5-inch ‘hard-shell’ floppies with
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anymore.</para>
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1.44MB capacity anymore.</para>
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<para>Bootable CD-ROMs killed off the last use of floppies, which was OS
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<para>Bootable CD-ROMs killed off the last use of floppies, which was OS
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installation. So go ahead and settle for cheap Mitsumi and Teac floppy
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installation. So go ahead and settle for cheap Mitsumi and Teac floppy
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@ -423,7 +444,7 @@ on ISO-9660 CD-ROM, a cheaper and better method than the QIC tapes we used
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to use.</para>
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to use.</para>
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<para>CD-ROM speed used to be a big deal; vendors advertised 2X, 4X, all
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<para>CD-ROM speed used to be a big deal; vendors advertised 2X, 4X, all
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the way up to 40X. Vendors don't bother any more; the drives are all about
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the way up to 52X. Vendors don't bother any more; the drives are all about
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equivalently fast now.</para>
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equivalently fast now.</para>
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<para>There are one or two minor features to watch for. Most CD-ROMS will
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<para>There are one or two minor features to watch for. Most CD-ROMS will
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@ -432,28 +453,36 @@ ones will also include two RCA jacks for use with speakers. Another
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feature to look for is a drive door or seal that protects the drive head
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feature to look for is a drive door or seal that protects the drive head
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from dust.</para>
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from dust.</para>
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<para>Increasingly, DVD-ROM drives (and burners) are replacing CD-ROM drives
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as the default optical drive in PC systems. They have significantly larger
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capacity, and will read (and burn) CD media too. The cost difference now
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is so small that it is usually preferable to buy a DVD burner instead of
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a CD-ROM drive.</para>
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</sect3>
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</sect3>
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<sect3 id="backup"><title>Backup devices</title>
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<sect3 id="backup"><title>Backup devices</title>
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<para>It's good to be able to make backups that you can separate from your
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<para>It's good to be able to make backups that you can separate from your
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system and store off-site in case of disaster. Until recently, tape drives
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system and store off-site in case of disaster. Until about 2001, tape
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still seemed like a good idea for personal systems, but I found I seldom
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drives still seemed like a good idea for personal systems, but I found I
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used mine. Today, tape drive with high enough capacity to image today's
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seldom used mine. Today, tape drive with high enough capacity to image
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huge hard disks are too expensive to make sense any more.</para>
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today's huge hard disks are too expensive to make sense any more.</para>
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<para>For the money you'd spend on a high-capacity tape drive (over
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<para>For the money you'd spend on a high-capacity tape drive (over $1000)
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$1000) it makes more sense to buy a laptop and a pile of CD-RW media. Sit
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it makes more sense to buy a laptop and a pile of CD-R or DVD-R or DVD+R
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the laptop on your house Ethernet when you're not traveling, and back up
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media. Sit the laptop on your house Ethernet when you're not traveling, and
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the main machine to it every day, or oftener. Between the efficiency of
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back up the main machine to it every day, or oftener. Between the
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rsync and the speed of 100-megabit Ethernet, this will be a lot faster than
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efficiency of rsync and the speed of 100-megabit Ethernet, this will be a
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making a tape. Every once in a while, burn a set of backup CD-ROMs.</para>
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lot faster than making a tape. Every once in a while, burn a set of backup
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CD-ROMs or DVDROMs.</para>
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<para>But CD-ROMs aren't reusable; the cost piles up over time. An
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<para>But CD-ROMs aren't reusable; the cost piles up over time. An
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interesting alternative is a small external USB hard drive, especially if
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interesting alternative is a small external USB hard drive, especially if
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you can salvage an old laptop drive and put it in a USB enclosure. These
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you can salvage an old laptop drive and put it in a USB enclosure. These
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enclosures are available for about $30; Google for "USB HD
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enclosures are available for about $30; Google for "USB HD Enclosure". This
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Enclosure". This is faster than a tape, cheaper and lighter than a
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is faster than a tape, cheaper and lighter than a full laptop. For faster
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full laptop.</para>
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transfer speeds, an enclosure that accepts eSATA connections as well as USB
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helps a lot (assuming your PC or notebook has an eSATA connector).</para>
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</sect3>
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</sect3>
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</sect2>
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</sect2>
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@ -476,14 +505,26 @@ AMD chips still deliver more performance than you're likely to be able
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to use and do it with lower power dissipation (thus, less noise and
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to use and do it with lower power dissipation (thus, less noise and
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heat).</para>
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heat).</para>
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<para>To compare the performance of different Intel-based systems with
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<para>Many CPUs now are multi-core — that is, they have multiple CPUs
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each other and with machines from other manufacturers, you can take a
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on a single chip. This is very useful for doing something compute
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look at the SPECmark Table at <ulink
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intensive (re-encoding video, compressing large archives, etc.) in the
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url="ftp://ftp.cdf.toronto.edu/pub/spectable">ftp://ftp.cdf.toronto.edu/pub/spectable</ulink>.
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background and still having a responsive system for other work at the same
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That document recommends (and I do too) that you read the SPEC FAQ at
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time. At current prices, a dual-core CPU makes good sense for most desktop
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<ulink
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systems. If you are creating a server or have specialized computing needs
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url="http://www.specbench.org/spec/faq">http://www.specbench.org/spec/specfaq.html</ulink>
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you expect to be very CPU-intensive, quad-core is worth considering. Only
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to get background before browsing the table.</para>
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at the very low end (sub US$50 CPUs) do single-core CPUs still make sense
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on desktop machines.</para>
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<para>Mainstream desktop CPUs now use one of two sockets: LGA 775 (Intel)
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and AM2 (AMD). Buying a system that uses one of these stands more chance
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of allowing a useful CPU upgrade to extend its useful life than systems
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using other less common sockets.</para>
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<para>Current CPUs are <emphasis>much</emphasis> faster than those of just
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a few years ago. As a result, unless your needs are highly specialized,
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spending more than about US$200 on a desktop CPU is hard to justify.
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Putting extra budget into more RAM or a faster disk subsystem will most
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likely result in greater benefit to most users.</para>
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</sect2>
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</sect2>
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@ -505,8 +546,18 @@ your home disk; in that case, you can still run and do recovery stuff and
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basic Net communications until you can buy another home disk and restore it
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basic Net communications until you can buy another home disk and restore it
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from backups (you <emphasis>did</emphasis> keep backups, right?).</para>
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from backups (you <emphasis>did</emphasis> keep backups, right?).</para>
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<para>Your performance-tuning choice is IDE versus SCSI. We'll have more
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<para>Given today's high capacity drives, another way to use two disks well
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to say about that in <xref linkend='optimize'/>.</para>
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is to set them up as a RAID1 (mirrored) array. This can be done in
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software or with a hardware RAID controller. This way if either of the two
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drives fail, the system will continue to function, no data is lost, and
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upon replacing the failed drive, the array can be rebuilt from the
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remaining working drive. Hard drives are consumable media, they
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<emphasis>do</emphasis> fail, so this approach (as well as good backups) is
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well worth considering.</para>
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<para>Your performance-tuning choice is SATA versus SCSI (the older IDE and
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EIDE buses are now obsolete). We'll have more to say about that in <xref
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linkend='optimize'/>.</para>
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</sect2>
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</sect2>
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<sect2 id="cases"><title>Getting Down to Cases</title>
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<sect2 id="cases"><title>Getting Down to Cases</title>
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@ -524,7 +575,7 @@ throughout. </para>
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heat better.</para></listitem>
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heat better.</para></listitem>
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<listitem><para>Unobstructed air intake with at least one fan each
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<listitem><para>Unobstructed air intake with at least one fan each
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(in addition to the power supply and processor fans)</para></listitem>
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(in addition to the power supply and processor fans)</para></listitem>
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<listitem><para>No sharp metal edges. You doon't want to shred
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<listitem><para>No sharp metal edges. You don't want to shred
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your hands when you're tinkering with things.</para></listitem>
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your hands when you're tinkering with things.</para></listitem>
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<listitem><para>There shouldn't be any hot spots (poor air flow).</para></listitem>
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<listitem><para>There shouldn't be any hot spots (poor air flow).</para></listitem>
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<listitem><para>Sturdy card clips. Some poorly-designed cases allow cards
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<listitem><para>Sturdy card clips. Some poorly-designed cases allow cards
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@ -666,20 +717,22 @@ hardware." on this list. But processors run so hot nowadays that all
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current motherboards have it.)</para>
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current motherboards have it.)</para>
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<para>The dominant form factor is still ATX. Intel tried to replace it
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<para>The dominant form factor is still ATX. Intel tried to replace it
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with a new standard called BTX in late 2004-2005, but failed. The
|
with a new standard called BTX in late 2004-2005, but failed; the proposal
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proposal was effectively withdrawn in 2006.</para>
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was effectively withdrawn in 2006. In January 2007 AMD announced a <ulink
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url="http://www.dtxpc.org/">DTX</ulink> specification for small-form-factor
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PCs; it remains to be seen whether this will gain any traction.</para>
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</sect2>
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</sect2>
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<sect2><title>Monitor and Video</title>
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<sect2><title>Monitor and Video</title>
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<para>The largest user-visible change since the last update of this guide
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<para>The largest user-visible change since the last major update of this
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is that the CRT (cathode-ray tube) is dead. The manufacturers shut down
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guide is that the CRT (cathode-ray tube) is dead. The manufacturers shut
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their production lines in late 2004; the remaining CRTs out there are old
|
down their production lines in late 2004; the remaining CRTs out there are
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stock that's been sitting in warehouses. The only reason to buy one since
|
old stock that's been sitting in warehouses. The only reason to buy one
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then has been to get high-end resolution at a price lower than the insanely
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since then has been to get high-end resolution at a price lower than the
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expensive high-end flatscreens; with 1920x1440 flatscreens now (late 2007)
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insanely expensive high-end flatscreens; with 1920x1440 flatscreens now
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becoming generally available at reasonable prives even that reason is gone.
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(late 2007) becoming generally available at reasonable prives even that
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It's all flatscreens now, baby.</para>
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reason is gone. It's all flatscreens now, baby.</para>
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|
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<para>On flatscreens, only two statistics matter; pixel size and response
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<para>On flatscreens, only two statistics matter; pixel size and response
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time. The biggest functional drawback of flatscreens relative to CRTs is
|
time. The biggest functional drawback of flatscreens relative to CRTs is
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@ -692,8 +745,9 @@ may be worth it.</para>
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|
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<para>Next, buy your card (if you have to; see next paragraph). This used
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<para>Next, buy your card (if you have to; see next paragraph). This used
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to be complicated, with issues like matching the video bandwidths of the
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to be complicated, with issues like matching the video bandwidths of the
|
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card and the CRT, and the amount of display memory. Now it's simple; all
|
card and the CRT, and the amount of display memory. Now (unless you are a
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cards have enough display memory for every resolution in use, and the
|
gamer or have similarly extreme 3D acceleration requirements) it's simple;
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|
all cards have enough display memory for every resolution in use, and the
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issues are software (does it have an open-source driver, and do you
|
issues are software (does it have an open-source driver, and do you
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care?)</para>
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care?)</para>
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|
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@ -708,14 +762,26 @@ interlacing, and flicker. That stuff is all obsolete now.</para>
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|
|
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<para>Here's what to look for on the monitor spec sheet:</para>
|
<para>Here's what to look for on the monitor spec sheet:</para>
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|
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<itemizedlist>
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<itemizedlist> <listitem><para>Screen size and format. Usually measured in
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<listitem><para>Dot pitch of 0.28 or smaller on a 12"-15"
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diagonal inches. Many screens are now in a <quote>widescreen</quote>
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monitor; 0.30 is acceptable on larger ones, especially 19" to 21"
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format (16:10 ratio of width:height) rather than the older 5:4 or 4:3
|
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screens. Dot pitch is the physical resolution of the screen's phosphor
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ratios common for CRTs and older flat panel screens. A <quote>19
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mask. Larger dot pitches mean that small fonts and graphic details will be
|
inch</quote> widescreen monitor generally has considerably fewer pixels
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fuzzy.</para></listitem>
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than a <quote>19 inch</quote> 5:4 ratio one.</para></listitem>
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|
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<listitem><para>5ms or lower response time. 3ms is better.</para></listitem>
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<listitem><para>Screen resolution. 1280x1024 is now low end on the
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|
desktop. Seventeen inch 1280x1024 screens are the bargain basement now,
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|
some manufacturers already switching production to 19 inch widescreen
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1440x900 screens instead. In late 2007, the cost difference between such
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|
screens and 20 inch 1680x1050 screens is very small, making the 20 inch
|
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|
screens a better choice unless funds (or desktop space!) are very
|
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|
tight.</para></listitem>
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|
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<listitem><para>5ms or lower response time. 3ms is better. There is some
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|
marketing-speak going on in the way the response time is specified (grey to
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gray rather than black to white) but since most manufacturers do it this
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|
way these times are usually comparable between different manufacturers
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|
screens.</para></listitem>
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|
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||||||
<listitem><para>Does it have a tilt-and-swivel base? Adequate
|
<listitem><para>Does it have a tilt-and-swivel base? Adequate
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||||||
controls, including both horizontal and vertical size and horizontal
|
controls, including both horizontal and vertical size and horizontal
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||||||
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@ -732,8 +798,32 @@ brands) even among monitors of the same make and model.</para>
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||||||
</sect2>
|
</sect2>
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||||||
<sect2 id="dvd"><title>DVD Drives</title>
|
<sect2 id="dvd"><title>DVD Drives</title>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
<para>DVD drives have two main uses in computer systems: playback of video
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||||||
|
DVDs, and use for data storage (either installation media or backups, or
|
||||||
|
even as a primary drive in a few specialized systems).</para>
|
||||||
|
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||||||
|
<sect3 id="dvd_data_storage"><title>DVDs for Data Storage</title>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
<para>DVD burners (drives that can read and write CDROM media as well as
|
||||||
|
several kinds of DVD media) are now low cost and useful. Most come with
|
||||||
|
either a parallel ATA ("IDE") interface or, increasingly, a SATA interface.
|
||||||
|
Linux and most current PC Unix-like systems will work fine with either
|
||||||
|
interface. Given the choice, SATA is slightly preferable because the cable
|
||||||
|
is smaller and simpler, and modern motherboards have more SATA connections
|
||||||
|
than parallel ATA ones.</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
<para>There is probably little or no benefit in seeking out a DVD
|
||||||
|
drive with a SCSI interface any longer.</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
</sect3>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
<sect3 id="dvd_video"><title>DVDs for Video Playback</title>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>(Most of this section courtesy of James Turinsky.)</para>
|
<para>(Most of this section courtesy of James Turinsky.)</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
<para>If you only need to watch video DVDs sold for and intended to be
|
||||||
|
played in your own "region" of the world, you may skip this section.</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>Most drives manufactured after January 1st 2000, and some drives prior
|
<para>Most drives manufactured after January 1st 2000, and some drives prior
|
||||||
to that have come installed with something called RPC2.</para>
|
to that have come installed with something called RPC2.</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
@ -771,6 +861,8 @@ wish to buy.</para>
|
||||||
<para>For more, see the <ulink url="http://forum.rpc1.org/portal.php">Firmware
|
<para>For more, see the <ulink url="http://forum.rpc1.org/portal.php">Firmware
|
||||||
Patches</ulink> site.</para>
|
Patches</ulink> site.</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
</sect3>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
</sect2>
|
</sect2>
|
||||||
<sect2 id="sound"><title>Sound Cards and Speakers</title>
|
<sect2 id="sound"><title>Sound Cards and Speakers</title>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
@ -790,11 +882,25 @@ these days support support all these features:</para>
|
||||||
<listitem><para>A microphone jack for sound input.</para></listitem>
|
<listitem><para>A microphone jack for sound input.</para></listitem>
|
||||||
</itemizedlist>
|
</itemizedlist>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
<para>If you are interested in multi-track digital recording, two
|
||||||
|
particularly good choices are the M-Audio Delta, or RME Hammerfall series
|
||||||
|
of cards. Decent (and lower cost!) two-channel cards for more normal use
|
||||||
|
are those using the ICE1712 (Envy24) and ICE1724 (Envy24HT) audio chips.
|
||||||
|
For normal users, though, almost anything will work fine!</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
<para>A rather comprehensive list of sound cards and chips supported by the
|
||||||
|
ALSA project, which is the main way sound cards are supported under Linux,
|
||||||
|
can be found at <ulink
|
||||||
|
url="http://www.alsa-project.org/main/index.php/Matrix:Main">ALSA Sound
|
||||||
|
Card Matrix</ulink>.</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>In speakers, look for a magnetically-shielded enclosure with volume,
|
<para>In speakers, look for a magnetically-shielded enclosure with volume,
|
||||||
bass and treble controls. Some speakers run off the card's 4-watt
|
bass and treble controls. Some speakers run off the card's 4-watt signal;
|
||||||
signal; others are <quote>self-powered</quote>, using batteries or a separate
|
others are <quote>self-powered</quote>, using batteries or a separate power
|
||||||
power supply. Your major buying choice is which one of these options
|
supply. Your major buying choice is which one of these options to pursue.
|
||||||
to pursue. Usually you'll want separately-powered speakers.</para>
|
Usually you'll want separately-powered speakers. If appropriate for your
|
||||||
|
listening habits, a pair of decent headphones will get you better quality
|
||||||
|
sound for the money compared to speakers.</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>One final, important tip: that audio cable from your CD-ROM back
|
<para>One final, important tip: that audio cable from your CD-ROM back
|
||||||
to the sound card is used only when you play audio CD-ROMs through
|
to the sound card is used only when you play audio CD-ROMs through
|
||||||
|
@ -805,11 +911,11 @@ accept the audio cable connector.</para>
|
||||||
</sect2>
|
</sect2>
|
||||||
<sect2 id="modems"><title>Modems</title>
|
<sect2 id="modems"><title>Modems</title>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>Demand for modems is dropping as more and more people get broadband
|
<para>Demand for (dialup telephone) modems is dropping as more and more
|
||||||
Internet through DSL and cable. This section still has as much detail as
|
people get broadband Internet through DSL and cable. This section still
|
||||||
it does only because (a) there are people out beyond the exurbs who
|
has as much detail as it does only because (a) there are people out beyond
|
||||||
can't get broadband, and (b) there are one or two remaining traps for
|
the exurbs who can't get broadband, and (b) there are one or two remaining
|
||||||
the unwary.</para>
|
traps for the unwary.</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>The modem market has stabilized and standardized. If you can spend
|
<para>The modem market has stabilized and standardized. If you can spend
|
||||||
$59, get a U.S. Robotics V.92 USB external. You can then know that you've
|
$59, get a U.S. Robotics V.92 USB external. You can then know that you've
|
||||||
|
@ -817,6 +923,13 @@ got the best and skip the rest of this section. If you really must
|
||||||
economize, spend $39 for the internal-card version (but you'll probably
|
economize, spend $39 for the internal-card version (but you'll probably
|
||||||
regret the $20 first time you have to do diagnostics).</para>
|
regret the $20 first time you have to do diagnostics).</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
<note><para>If you live somewhere with <emphasis>really</emphasis> bad
|
||||||
|
telephone lines, the U.S. Robotics V.92 Business Modem may be truly "the
|
||||||
|
best" for your needs, though it is about four times the price of the
|
||||||
|
U.S. Robotics V.92 USB external, which is marketed for home use. See the
|
||||||
|
<ulink url="http://www.usrobotics.com">U.S. Robotics</ulink> web site for
|
||||||
|
current product numbers and more detailed specifications.</para></note>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>The modem market is like consumer electronics (and unlike the
|
<para>The modem market is like consumer electronics (and unlike the
|
||||||
computer market as a whole) in that price is a very poor predictor of
|
computer market as a whole) in that price is a very poor predictor of
|
||||||
performance. For ordinary file transfers, some $50 modems are better than
|
performance. For ordinary file transfers, some $50 modems are better than
|
||||||
|
@ -835,11 +948,11 @@ adding a new protocol is basically a software change.</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<sect3 id="modem_format"><title>Internal vs. External</title>
|
<sect3 id="modem_format"><title>Internal vs. External</title>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>Most modems come in two packagings: internal, designed to fit in
|
<para>Most modems come in two packagings: internal, designed to fit in a PC
|
||||||
a PC card slot, and external, with its own case, power supply, and
|
card slot, and external, with its own case, power supply, and front-panel
|
||||||
front-panel lights. Typically you'll pay $20 to $30 more for an
|
lights. Typically you'll pay $20 to $30 more for an external modem than
|
||||||
external modem than you will for the internal equivalent. You'll also
|
you will for the internal equivalent. You'll also need a serial or USB
|
||||||
need a serial port to connect your external modem to.</para>
|
port to connect your external modem to.</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>Pay that premium — being able to see the blinkenlights on
|
<para>Pay that premium — being able to see the blinkenlights on
|
||||||
the external ones will help you understand and recover from
|
the external ones will help you understand and recover from
|
||||||
|
@ -874,18 +987,18 @@ to 25% of your processor clocks during transfers, and hog high-priority
|
||||||
interrupts (causing your machine to stall under Windows even if your
|
interrupts (causing your machine to stall under Windows even if your
|
||||||
processor still has spare cycles). </para>
|
processor still has spare cycles). </para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>Many fax modems come with bundled Windows fax software that is at
|
</sect3>
|
||||||
best useless under Unix, and at worst a software kluge to cover
|
<sect3><title>Fax Modems</title>
|
||||||
inadequate hardware. Avoid these bundles and buy a bare modem —
|
|
||||||
it's cheaper, and lowers the likelihood that something vital to your
|
<para>Many modems come with bundled Windows fax software that is at best
|
||||||
communications needs has been left out of the hardware.</para>
|
useless under Unix, and at worst a software kluge to cover inadequate
|
||||||
|
hardware. Avoid these bundles and buy a bare modem — it's cheaper,
|
||||||
|
and lowers the likelihood that something vital to your communications needs
|
||||||
|
has been left out of the hardware.</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>Avoid <quote>Class 1</quote> and <quote>Class 2</quote> modems. Look
|
<para>Avoid <quote>Class 1</quote> and <quote>Class 2</quote> modems. Look
|
||||||
for <quote>Class 2.0</quote> for the full EIA-standard command set.</para>
|
for <quote>Class 2.0</quote> for the full EIA-standard command set.</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
</sect3>
|
|
||||||
<sect3><title>Fax Modems</title>
|
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>Fax capability is included with effectively all modems these days; it's
|
<para>Fax capability is included with effectively all modems these days; it's
|
||||||
cheap for manufacturers, being basically a pure software add-on. The
|
cheap for manufacturers, being basically a pure software add-on. The
|
||||||
CCITT also sets fax protocol standards. Terms to know:</para>
|
CCITT also sets fax protocol standards. Terms to know:</para>
|
||||||
|
@ -977,7 +1090,18 @@ PostScript files to a copy shop...)</para>
|
||||||
<para>Nowadays, a lot of printers are moving away from parallel-port
|
<para>Nowadays, a lot of printers are moving away from parallel-port
|
||||||
interfaces to USB. This is a good idea, because USB devices announce
|
interfaces to USB. This is a good idea, because USB devices announce
|
||||||
themselves to the host computer and can be automatically configured.
|
themselves to the host computer and can be automatically configured.
|
||||||
Parallel ports may be obsolete soon.</para>
|
Parallel ports (and serial ports for that matter) are becoming obsolete.
|
||||||
|
Many new PC motherboards no longer include them.</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
<para>Many printers (even some sub $100 models) now come with a network
|
||||||
|
(10/100 Ethernet) interface. This make sharing them trivial, and also
|
||||||
|
avoids having to leave a desktop PC powered on so others (using notebooks
|
||||||
|
perhaps) can print to your printer. Therefore, such printers are worth
|
||||||
|
considering in many networked environments, including home networks.</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
<para>In the near future, new motherboards may stop including parallel and
|
||||||
|
serial ports altogether. That's another good reason to go with a USB-
|
||||||
|
or Ethernet-capable printer.</para>
|
||||||
</sect2>
|
</sect2>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<sect2 id="power_protection"><title>Power Protection</title>
|
<sect2 id="power_protection"><title>Power Protection</title>
|
||||||
|
@ -1092,7 +1216,7 @@ away SCSI for SATA your reliability (expected time before failure) will
|
||||||
drop. We'll cover this in more detail in the next section.</para>
|
drop. We'll cover this in more detail in the next section.</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
</sect2>
|
</sect2>
|
||||||
<sect2 id="diskwars"><title>Disk Wars: IDE vs. SCSI</title>
|
<sect2 id="diskwars"><title>Disk Wars: SATA vs. SCSI</title>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>For the fastest disks you can find, pay close attention to
|
<para>For the fastest disks you can find, pay close attention to
|
||||||
average seek and latency time. The former is an average time
|
average seek and latency time. The former is an average time
|
||||||
|
@ -1131,11 +1255,11 @@ constraint in drive design.</para>
|
||||||
are obsolete). Either kind of disk costs about the same, but the premium
|
are obsolete). Either kind of disk costs about the same, but the premium
|
||||||
for a SCSI card varies all over the lot, partly because of price
|
for a SCSI card varies all over the lot, partly because of price
|
||||||
differences between VLB and PCI SCSI cards and especially because many
|
differences between VLB and PCI SCSI cards and especially because many
|
||||||
motherboard vendors bundle an IDE chipset right on the system board. SCSI
|
motherboard vendors bundle a SATA chipset right on the system board. SCSI
|
||||||
gives you better speed and throughput and loads the processor less, a win
|
gives you better speed and throughput and loads the processor less, a win
|
||||||
for larger disks and an especially significant consideration in a
|
for larger disks and an especially significant consideration in a
|
||||||
multi-user environment; also it's more expandable. You can have at most two
|
multi-user environment; also it's more expandable. You can have at most four
|
||||||
IDE devices; four for EIDE. SCSI permits up to 7 (15 for wide
|
SATA devices on a single controller. SCSI permits up to 7 (15 for wide
|
||||||
SCSI).</para>
|
SCSI).</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>Admittedly, the case for SCSI has eroded a bit since 2001; the new
|
<para>Admittedly, the case for SCSI has eroded a bit since 2001; the new
|
||||||
|
@ -1153,52 +1277,10 @@ cabling most vendors ship can be flaky. You have to use expensive
|
||||||
high-class cables for consistently good results. See <link
|
high-class cables for consistently good results. See <link
|
||||||
linkend="sutton">Mark Sutton's horror story</link>.</para>
|
linkend="sutton">Mark Sutton's horror story</link>.</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<sect3><title>Enhanced IDE</title>
|
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>These days you seldom see plain IDE; souped-up variants are more
|
|
||||||
usual. These are "Enhanced IDE" (E-IDE) and "Fast AT Attachment" (usually
|
|
||||||
ATA for short). ATA is Seagate's subset of E-IDE, excluding some features
|
|
||||||
designed to permit chaining with CD-ROMs and tape drives using the "ATAPI"
|
|
||||||
interface (an E-IDE extension); in practice, ATA and E-IDE are
|
|
||||||
identical.</para>
|
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>You'll need to be careful about chaining in CD-ROMs and tape
|
|
||||||
drives when using IDE/ATA. The IDE bus sends all commands to all
|
|
||||||
disks; they're supposed to latch, and each drive then checks to see
|
|
||||||
whether it is the intended target. The problem is that badly-written
|
|
||||||
drivers for CD-ROMs and tapes can collide with the disk command set.
|
|
||||||
It takes expertise to match these peripherals.</para>
|
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>Neither ATA nor E-IDE has the sustained throughput capacity of
|
|
||||||
SCSI (they're not designed to) but they are 60-90% faster than plain
|
|
||||||
old IDE. E-IDE's new <quote>mode 3</quote> boosts the IDE transfer rate from
|
|
||||||
IDE's 3.3MB/sec to 13.3MB/sec. The new interface supports up to 4
|
|
||||||
drives of up to 8.4 gigabytes capacity.</para>
|
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>E-IDE and ATA are advertised as being completely compatible with
|
|
||||||
old IDE. Theoretically, you can mix IDE, E-IDE and ATA drives and
|
|
||||||
controllers any way you like, and the worst result you'll get is
|
|
||||||
conventional IDE performance if the enhancements don't match up (the
|
|
||||||
controller picks the lowest latch speed). In practice, some IDE
|
|
||||||
controllers (notably the BusLogic) choke on enhanced IDE.</para>
|
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>Accordingly, I recommend against trying to mix device types an
|
|
||||||
an E-IDE/ATA bus. Unfortunately, this removes much of E-IDE/ATA's
|
|
||||||
usefulness!</para>
|
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>E-IDE on drives above 540MB does automatic block mapping to fool the
|
|
||||||
BIOS about the drive geometry (avoiding limits in the BIOS type tables).
|
|
||||||
They don't require special Unix drivers.</para>
|
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>Many motherboards now support <quote>dual EIDE</quote> channels,
|
|
||||||
i.e. two separate [E]IDE interfaces each of which can, theoretically,
|
|
||||||
support two IDE disks or ATA-style devices.</para>
|
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
</sect3>
|
|
||||||
<sect3><title>Advantages of SCSI</title>
|
<sect3><title>Advantages of SCSI</title>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>For starters, SCSI is still at least 10%-15% faster than IDE/ATAPI
|
<para>For starters, SCSI is still at least 10%-15% faster than IDE/ATAPI
|
||||||
running flat out. Like Windows, SATA Iis layered over a pile of ancestral
|
running flat out. Like Windows, SATA I is layered over a pile of ancestral
|
||||||
designs (ST-506 and IDE) that's antiquated and prone to failure under
|
designs (ST-506 and IDE) that's antiquated and prone to failure under
|
||||||
stress. For example, on the Tyan K7 motherboards, there are known
|
stress. For example, on the Tyan K7 motherboards, there are known
|
||||||
data-corruption problems with the ATA controller in the presence of various
|
data-corruption problems with the ATA controller in the presence of various
|
||||||
|
@ -1219,7 +1301,7 @@ implements. With disconnect/reconnect, if a target device has to perform
|
||||||
some kind of time-consuming mechanical operation (e.g., a seek in the case
|
some kind of time-consuming mechanical operation (e.g., a seek in the case
|
||||||
of a disk or a medium position operation in the case of a tape drive) the
|
of a disk or a medium position operation in the case of a tape drive) the
|
||||||
device will release control of the SCSI bus and allow it to be used for
|
device will release control of the SCSI bus and allow it to be used for
|
||||||
some other operation.IDE/ATAPI has no such capability and is often
|
some other operation. IDE/ATAPI has no such capability and is often
|
||||||
responsible for a system stall while a disk, CD-drive or tape drive seeks
|
responsible for a system stall while a disk, CD-drive or tape drive seeks
|
||||||
to the desired medium position.</para>
|
to the desired medium position.</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
@ -1422,36 +1504,14 @@ or a thumbwheel.</para>
|
||||||
<para>SCSI IDs are completely independent of physical device chain
|
<para>SCSI IDs are completely independent of physical device chain
|
||||||
position.</para>
|
position.</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>Heuristic 1: If you're buying narrow SCSI, stick with controllers and
|
<para>Heuristic A: You'll have fewer hassles if all your cables are made by
|
||||||
devices that use the Centronics-style 50-pin connector. Internally these
|
|
||||||
connectors are physically identical to diskette cables. Externally they
|
|
||||||
use a D50 shell. This "standard" connector is common in the
|
|
||||||
desktop/tower/rackmount-PC world, but you'll find lots of funky DIN and
|
|
||||||
mini-DIN plugs on devices designed for Macintosh boxes and some laptops.
|
|
||||||
Ask in advance and don't get burned.</para>
|
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>Heuristic 2: For now, when buying a controller, go with an Adaptec
|
|
||||||
xx42 or one of its clones such as the BusLogic 542. (I like the
|
|
||||||
BusLogic 946 and 956, two particularly fast Adaptec clones
|
|
||||||
well-supported under Linux.) The Adaptec is the card everybody
|
|
||||||
supports and the de-facto standard. Occasional integration problems
|
|
||||||
have been reported with Unix under Future Domain and UltraStor cards,
|
|
||||||
apparently due to command-set incompatibilities. At least, before you
|
|
||||||
buy these, make sure your OS explicitly supports them. </para>
|
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>However: Beware the combination of an Adaptec 1542 with a PCI Mach32
|
|
||||||
video card. Older (1.1) Linux kernels handled it OK, but all current ones
|
|
||||||
choke. Your editor had to replace his 1542 because of this, swearing
|
|
||||||
sulphurously the while. </para>
|
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>Heuristic 3: You'll have fewer hassles if all your cables are made by
|
|
||||||
the same outfit. (This is due to impedence reflections from minor
|
the same outfit. (This is due to impedence reflections from minor
|
||||||
mismatches. You can get situations where cable A will work with B,
|
mismatches. You can get situations where cable A will work with B,
|
||||||
cable B will work with C, but A and C aren't happy together. It's
|
cable B will work with C, but A and C aren't happy together. It's
|
||||||
also non-commutative. The fact that `computer to A to B' works
|
also non-commutative. The fact that `computer to A to B' works
|
||||||
doesn't mean that `computer to B to A' will work.</para>
|
doesn't mean that `computer to B to A' will work.</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para id="sutton">Heuristic 4. Beware Cheap SCSI Cables!</para>
|
<para id="sutton">Heuristic B. Beware Cheap SCSI Cables!</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>Mark Sutton tells the following instructive horror story in a
|
<para>Mark Sutton tells the following instructive horror story in a
|
||||||
note dated 5 Apr 1997: </para>
|
note dated 5 Apr 1997: </para>
|
||||||
|
@ -1539,20 +1599,20 @@ to reflect more recent developments.)</emphasis></para>
|
||||||
piece without benefit, and <emphasis>construct the whole pipe such that
|
piece without benefit, and <emphasis>construct the whole pipe such that
|
||||||
it can feed what your OS/application combo needs</emphasis>.</para>
|
it can feed what your OS/application combo needs</emphasis>.</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>It's important to recognize that <quote>balance</quote> is with respect to not only
|
<para>It's important to recognize that <quote>balance</quote> is with
|
||||||
a particular processor/memory subsystem, but also to a particular OS
|
respect to not only a particular processor/memory subsystem, but also to a
|
||||||
and application mix. A Unix server machine running the whole TCP/IP server
|
particular OS and application mix. A Unix server machine running the whole
|
||||||
suite has radically different I/O requirements than a video-editing
|
TCP/IP server suite has radically different I/O requirements than a
|
||||||
workstation. For the <quote>big boys</quote> a good consultant will sample the I/O mix
|
video-editing workstation. For the <quote>big boys</quote> a good
|
||||||
(by reading existing system performance logs or taking new measurements)
|
consultant will sample the I/O mix (by reading existing system performance
|
||||||
and figure out how big the I/O system needs to be to satisfy that app
|
logs or taking new measurements) and figure out how big the I/O system
|
||||||
mix. This is not something your typical Linux buyer will want to do;
|
needs to be to satisfy that app mix. This is not something your typical
|
||||||
for one, the application mix is not static and will change over time. So what
|
Linux buyer will want to do; for one, the application mix is not static and
|
||||||
you'll do instead is design an I/O subsystem that is internally
|
will change over time. So what you'll do instead is design an I/O subsystem
|
||||||
matched and provides maximum potential I/O performance for the money
|
that is internally matched and provides maximum potential I/O performance
|
||||||
you're willing to spend. Then you look at the price points and compare
|
for the money you're willing to spend. Then you look at the price points
|
||||||
them with those for the memory subsystem. That's the most important
|
and compare them with those for the memory subsystem. That's the most
|
||||||
trade-off inside the box.</para>
|
important trade-off inside the box.</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>So the job now is to design and buy an I/O subsystem that is well
|
<para>So the job now is to design and buy an I/O subsystem that is well
|
||||||
matched to provide the best bang for your buck. The two major performance
|
matched to provide the best bang for your buck. The two major performance
|
||||||
|
@ -1804,8 +1864,10 @@ here. :-)</para>
|
||||||
levels lower than commercial state of the art.</para></listitem>
|
levels lower than commercial state of the art.</para></listitem>
|
||||||
</itemizedlist>
|
</itemizedlist>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>For best value, look in the <emphasis>middle</emphasis> of the current
|
<para>For best value, look in the <emphasis>middle</emphasis> of the
|
||||||
range of available processors.</para>
|
current range of available processors. On the desktop, in late 2007, that
|
||||||
|
means a CPU costing perhaps $75 to $200, not the latest and greatest quad
|
||||||
|
core marvels selling for several times that!</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>Why? Because of the way manufacturers' price-performance curves are
|
<para>Why? Because of the way manufacturers' price-performance curves are
|
||||||
shaped. The top-of-line system is generally boob bait for corporate
|
shaped. The top-of-line system is generally boob bait for corporate
|
||||||
|
@ -1829,6 +1891,11 @@ sickeningly.</para>
|
||||||
is plenty fast enough for Linux. So if dropping back a speed level or
|
is plenty fast enough for Linux. So if dropping back a speed level or
|
||||||
two brings you in under budget, you can do it with no regrets.</para>
|
two brings you in under budget, you can do it with no regrets.</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
<para>Consider SATA hard drives instea of SCSI. Consider one drive rather
|
||||||
|
than two. This <emphasis>will</emphasis> reduce overall system performance
|
||||||
|
somewhat, but the cost saving as a fraction of total system cost is often
|
||||||
|
substantial.</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>Another easy economy measure is looking for repaired or reconditioned
|
<para>Another easy economy measure is looking for repaired or reconditioned
|
||||||
parts with a warranty. These are often as good as new, and much
|
parts with a warranty. These are often as good as new, and much
|
||||||
cheaper.</para>
|
cheaper.</para>
|
||||||
|
@ -1838,6 +1905,10 @@ cheaper.</para>
|
||||||
display for hours on end. You are going to be using the screen real estate
|
display for hours on end. You are going to be using the screen real estate
|
||||||
constantly. Buy the best quality, largest screen you possibly can — it
|
constantly. Buy the best quality, largest screen you possibly can — it
|
||||||
will be worth it.</para>
|
will be worth it.</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
<para>Similarly, do not reduce the amount of RAM in your system too far. A
|
||||||
|
minimum of 2GB of RAM is helpful in desktop systems today.</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
</sect1>
|
</sect1>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<sect1 id='noise'><title>Noise Control and Heat Dissipation</title>
|
<sect1 id='noise'><title>Noise Control and Heat Dissipation</title>
|
||||||
|
@ -2065,11 +2136,14 @@ squeeze the keycaps a lot tighter and typically don't have enough oomph for
|
||||||
Unix anyway; you're best off with the "notebook" class machines that have
|
Unix anyway; you're best off with the "notebook" class machines that have
|
||||||
full-sized keys.</para>
|
full-sized keys.</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>Second: with present flatscreens, 1024x768 color is the best you're
|
<para>Second: with present flatscreens, 1920x1200 color is the best you're
|
||||||
going to do (though that may change soon). If you want more than that
|
going to do (and that is on a 17in widescreen, which translates to a large
|
||||||
(for X, for example) you have to either fall back to a desktop or make
|
notebook. On normal size notebooks, a maximum of 1440x900 is more common).
|
||||||
sure there's an external-monitor port on the laptop (and many laptops
|
On travel machines like the Lenovo X serties, you're still stuck with
|
||||||
won't support higher resolution than the flatscreen's).</para>
|
1024x768. If you want more than that (for X, for example) you have to
|
||||||
|
either fall back to a desktop or make sure there's an external-monitor port
|
||||||
|
on the laptop (and many laptops won't support higher resolution than the
|
||||||
|
flatscreen's).</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>Third: about those vendor-supplied time-between-recharge
|
<para>Third: about those vendor-supplied time-between-recharge
|
||||||
figures; <emphasis>don't believe them</emphasis>. They collect those
|
figures; <emphasis>don't believe them</emphasis>. They collect those
|
||||||
|
@ -2077,6 +2151,16 @@ from a totally quiescent machine, sometimes with the screen or hard
|
||||||
disk turned off. Under Windows, you'd be lucky to get half the endurance
|
disk turned off. Under Windows, you'd be lucky to get half the endurance
|
||||||
they quote; under Unix, which hits the disk more often, it may be less
|
they quote; under Unix, which hits the disk more often, it may be less
|
||||||
yet. Figures from magazine reviews are more reliable.</para>
|
yet. Figures from magazine reviews are more reliable.</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
<para>Fourth: You can now avoid many of the driver hassles involved in
|
||||||
|
getting some devices on your notebook to work (or week well) under Linux by
|
||||||
|
purchasing a notebook with Linux pre-installed. Dell has recently started
|
||||||
|
to make noise in this regard in the Linux community. Taking this approach
|
||||||
|
limits the set of notebooks you can consider, but the one you get is likely
|
||||||
|
to "just work" (including sound, useful capabilities like suspend/resume,
|
||||||
|
and even hotplugging of external displays and projectors) to a much higher
|
||||||
|
degree under Linux than others.</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
</sect1>
|
</sect1>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<sect1 id="howtobuy"><title>How to Buy</title>
|
<sect1 id="howtobuy"><title>How to Buy</title>
|
||||||
|
@ -2136,10 +2220,11 @@ The minor one is computer fairs.</para>
|
||||||
<para>I used to be a big fan of hole-in-the-wall stores run by immigrants
|
<para>I used to be a big fan of hole-in-the-wall stores run by immigrants
|
||||||
from the other side of the International Date Line, but most of those
|
from the other side of the International Date Line, but most of those
|
||||||
places have been driven out of the regular retail game by the superstores.
|
places have been driven out of the regular retail game by the superstores.
|
||||||
If you still have one in your neighborhood, you're lucky. The only place
|
If you still have one in your neighborhood, you're lucky. I do, as it
|
||||||
you normally find diaspora Chinese and Indians selling cheap PCs over the
|
happens, but that is now unusual; the only place you normally find diaspora
|
||||||
counter anymore is at computer fairs. (Usually they're doing it to
|
Chinese and Indians selling cheap PCs over the counter anymore is at
|
||||||
publicize an Internet/mail-order business.)</para>
|
computer fairs. (Usually they're doing it to publicize an
|
||||||
|
Internet/mail-order business.)</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>You can find good loss-leader deals on individual parts at these
|
<para>You can find good loss-leader deals on individual parts at these
|
||||||
fairs (they're especially good places to buy disk drives cheap). But I
|
fairs (they're especially good places to buy disk drives cheap). But I
|
||||||
|
@ -2203,6 +2288,10 @@ offer prices not far above the Web. (They make back a lot of
|
||||||
their margin on computer games and small accessories like mouse pads,
|
their margin on computer games and small accessories like mouse pads,
|
||||||
cables, and floppy disks.)</para>
|
cables, and floppy disks.)</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
<para>Note, however: <emphasis>Avoid Best Buy</emphasis>. Horror stories
|
||||||
|
about them are legion — predatory salescritters, incompetent
|
||||||
|
service, routine bait-and-switch tactics.</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para>One thing you should not buy remotely if you can avoid it is a
|
<para>One thing you should not buy remotely if you can avoid it is a
|
||||||
monitor. Monitors are subject to significant quality variations even
|
monitor. Monitors are subject to significant quality variations even
|
||||||
within the same make and model. Flatscreens haver this [roblem less than
|
within the same make and model. Flatscreens haver this [roblem less than
|
||||||
|
@ -2442,6 +2531,10 @@ replace that FAQ with just three words:</para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<para><emphasis role="strong">Go get Linux!</emphasis></para>
|
<para><emphasis role="strong">Go get Linux!</emphasis></para>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
<note><para>FreeBSD or OpenSolaris are currently niche choices, but if they
|
||||||
|
offer something you need that Linux doesn't, don't let me stop you from
|
||||||
|
trying one or both of them.</para></note>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
</sect1>
|
</sect1>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<sect1 id="links"><title>Other Resources on Building Linux PCs</title>
|
<sect1 id="links"><title>Other Resources on Building Linux PCs</title>
|
||||||
|
@ -2496,3 +2589,4 @@ fill-column:75
|
||||||
compile-command: "mail -s \"Unix Hardware Buyer HOWTO update\" submit@en.tldp.org <Unix-Hardware-Buyer-HOWTO.xml"
|
compile-command: "mail -s \"Unix Hardware Buyer HOWTO update\" submit@en.tldp.org <Unix-Hardware-Buyer-HOWTO.xml"
|
||||||
End:
|
End:
|
||||||
-->
|
-->
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
|
Loading…
Reference in New Issue