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Dreamland

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PCQ Bureau
New Update

We all want what we can

possibly never have. In fact there is no such thing as

the ultimate dream PC. No budget can ever be sufficient,

no monitor big enough, no amount of processing power good

enough... So then, why are we doing this to ourselves, a

pursuit almost certainly to end in failure, a story that

almost nobody will agree with? The answer is

simple–it’s a dream, so let’s not hold

back here (particularly as nobody’s paying for it).

Let’s dream about our dream PC with the best and the

fastest components available. Who knows maybe someone

will actually be able to fulfill this dream.

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The chip

Let’s start at the

heart (or brains, if you think that way) of the

system–the CPU. We would definitely want a

multi-processor system (yeah, even if you don’t have

any multi-threaded apps, except for Photoshop).

Today’s PII processors can only work in single or

dual CPU configurations. However, being manufactured on a

0.25 micron process, they can be overclocked comfortably.

(So we really don’t have to worry too much about

clock speeds.) Hence a 333 MHz dual-CPU configuration is

as far as you can get for now!



The chip: Two 333 MHz (or higher) PIIs–overclocked
to around 400 MHz

Motherboard

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The motherboard naturally

would have to support a dual CPU configuration. As it

also supports a 100 MHz bus, the Intel 440BX (soon to be

released) would be the logical choice. If you can’t

wait use the 440LX.

We’d also definitely

go for an onboard Ultra Wide SCSI-3 adapter. Adaptec are

the market leaders and widely supported by almost all

operating systems. An onboard 10/100 Mbps ethernet

adapter is also a good option as it takes care of several

configuration and installation problems. AGP support is

also a definite plus point (even though we’re not

actually going to put it to any good use. Read on to find

out why). As far as manufacturer’s go, Intel would

be a strong choice as they have all the inside knowledge

of the chip, slot, and chipset. Top quality manufacturer

such as ASUS, FIC, and Abit aren’t far behind.



The motherboard: Dual Processor Intel 440LX-based
motherboard with AGP support, onboard Ultra Wide SCSI ,

and an integrated 10/100 Mbps ethernet card

Memory

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The ultimate dream PC

would have more RAM than it could possibly ever need.

Recently, we once got an out-of-memory error on a system

with 128 MB. (Yes, we had umpteen windows open, but then

that is part of the game!) So anything less than 256 MB

of SDRAM is not worth considering. Currently,

its a good idea to go for the new Corsair SDRAM DIMMs

with onboard EEPROM, as stability issues still exist with

various motherboards and RAM brands.



Memory: 256 MB of SDRAM

Hard disk

You’d want a really

really big hard disk. Our choice would be the big 10,000

RPM, Ultra Wide SCSI Seagate Cheetah–you’d want

an 18.2 GB. You’d also probably want a dedicated

cooling fan to go with the Cheetah, or else you could

probably fry eggs on it.



The hard disk: Seagate Cheetah 18.2 GB

Graphics

card

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Even though a motherboard

with an AGP port was suggested, which we all know is for

top quality graphics, we’re not going to use it for

3D at all. The best display adapter configuration you

could probably buy today is an AGP Matrox Millennium II,

WITH two (yes, two!) Diamond Monster 3D II accelerators

based on 3Dfx’s new Voodoo 2 chipset. Why two cards?

That’s because the Voodoo 2 supports a Scan Line

Interleave mode which allows two adapters to work

together in parallel, doubling the performance of

the card. (Quake II rocks!) Why an AGP Millennium then to

provide the interface to the monitor. This is quite a let

down actually. It would just help to save a PCI slot. The

AGP feature wouldn’t be used at all.



The graphics card: Matrox Millenium II AGP with two
Diamond Monster 3D II

Monitor

Monitors should be big.

For full experience with Windows systems, games and

multimedia, you need a big monitor that supports the

highest refresh rates possible. The new LCD displays are

tempting, but they still aren’t up there with the

top of the line CRTs from Iiyama, ViewSonic, and Sony.

17" is entry-level dream class. 20" is better!



The monitor: 20" Trintron

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Sound

system

Multimedia is an area

where its easy to get carried away. Creative’s

SoundBlaster AWE 64 Gold is top of the line for desktop

PCs, but not for a dream. The best sound card you can buy

is probably Ensoniq’s Paris, which is a

professional, 128-voice, 32-bit PCI card. It comes with

an independent mixer console and professional audio

mixing software. Match that with a Bose surround sound

speaker system, and you have a full digital sound theater

in your home.



The sound system: Ensoniq’s Paris sound card with
Bose Acoustimass Multimedia speaker system

CD-ROM

drive

CD-ROMs are old hat,

DVD-ROMs are in. The second generation of DVD-ROMs is

compatible with most types of CD-ROMs, including

CD-ReWriters. The Creative Encore kit offers 2x DVD-ROM,

20x CD-ROM access, and features top quality MPEG-2 output

both to monitor and TV.



CD? No, it’s the Creative Encore DVD kit

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Floppy

drive

Floppies are passe! You

need something better. A Zip drive? Nice, but then you

would not be able to share itsy-bitsy files with lesser

mortals who have only floppy drives! So, it is an

internal SuperDisk drive from Imation for you. This one

can read normal floppies as well as its own 120 MB disks.



The floppy drive: Internal SuperDisk drive

Keyboard

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There are keyboards and

there are keyboards! The best one you can get in this

part of the world–at least the most stylish

one–is the Microsoft Natural keyboard. And now there

is the Natural keyboard Elite.



The keyboard: Microsoft Natural keyboard Elite

Mouse

When it comes to a mouse,

our verdict is split. For right handed people, it is the

Microsoft Mouse whereas for the left handed ones, we

recommend the Acer mouse.



The mouse: Microsoft for the right handed and Acer for
the left handed

Joystick

A joystick is a very basic

peripheral for any dedicated gamer. And that is the least

your dream PC should be having. The Sidewinder Force

Feedback Pro from Microsoft is our choice, what with

tactile feedback adding a new level of realism to game

playing.



The joystick: Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback Pro

Modem

That about rounds off the

PC per-se. All you need to add is a sleek, but roomy

cabinet with a good SMPS. But before we sign off back

into the world of the real, two more things that you need

to pick up. A modem and a UPS. We would have really liked

an ISDN modem. But ISDN is yet to be available outside

the metros. Till then our choice is the ZyXEL U-336S.

Costs a pretty penny. But worth it in performance,

features and looks.



The modem: ZyXEL U-336S

UPS

With all this equipment,

one would be downright shortsighted without a good UPS.

We would go in for a 500 VA UPS with lots of backup time

(obviously, you would not want to stop working as soon as

power goes off!). Which one do we recommend? For the

answer to that one, wait for the next issue, and our UPS

shootout!

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