LAST EDITED ON Apr-26-01 AT 06:00 PM (GMT)You have an EpoX 58MVP3C-M motherboard (http://duxcw.com/digest/Reviews/MBs/Epox/ep-58mvp3c-m.htm). First, this motherboard is rather old and obsolete. I would suggest giving some thought as to whether you should build a computer around it or buy a new motherboard and processor. I would not value the “free” motherboard and processor more than about $50.
CD burner + floppy + 7200 rpm 40 GB HD right? Pretty much…
If you don’t have a case and power supply, get an ATX case and power supply that will accommodate both an ATX and Baby AT form-factor motherboards. You have the later. I would suggest an Antec KS282 (http://duxcw.com/digest/Reviews/Cases/antec/ks282.htm) or an AOpen HX45A (http://duxcw.com/digest/Reviews/Cases/aopen/hx45a/hx45a.htm). A 220/250 Watt power supply is adequate for that motherboard, but you may want to consider a 300 Watt power supply for future upgrades. I would not put more than 128 Mbytes of memory on the motherboard. More will probably slow it down as it can only cache’ 128 Mbytes. Use PC133 memory. The motherboard supports 66 MHz memory, but 133 MHz costs about as much, will work, and will be faster if you update your motherboard. You will need a mouse, keyboard, and a second IDE cable for the CD-RW. How about a network adapter or MODEM for the Internet?
What kind of video card, sound card and other devices do I need for this? I like the Creative Soundblaster Live Value sound cards (http://www.soundblaster.com/products/sblivevalue/). Throw in some Cambridge PCworks speakers (http://csw.creative.com/products/pcworks/) and you will not believe your ears. I use AOpen video cards for the average computer. The AOpen PA3000 4X AGP Display Adapter, 16 MBytes, nVIDIA Vanta Chipset (http://www.aopenusa.com/products/vga/default.htm) is good board at a good price. Other readers may have additional suggestions.
Don’t use the CD that came with the motherboard. More up-to-date drivers, etc. are available on VIA’s (http://www.viatech.com/drivers/index_new2.htm) and EpoX’s (http://www.epox.com/html/english/support/Default.htm) web sites.
I am not really up on the video part of your question, but you will need a TV capture card such as the ATI TV Wonder (http://duxcw.com/digest/Reviews/Vidcard/ati/tv_wond/atitvwon.htm). Other readers may have more suggestions, and comments about software.
You may find http://duxcw.com/digest/Howto/buildcom/super7/build1.htm useful. Larry
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RE: Building a computer, lbyard, Apr-26-01, (1)
RE: Building a computer, copperpipe, Apr-27-01, (2)