GSBUG Hardware Info SIG

GSBUG Hardware Info SIG

September 12, 2002

September 12, 2002 2


Agenda – September 12, 20027:00 – 7:05 Administration7:05 – 8:15 Featured Topic – Other Components

(Modems, NICs, Chassis, Power Supplies, HFAs, Fans, Keyboards, and Mice)

8:15 – 8:30 Hardware News8:30 – 8:55 Random Access (Q&A)8:55 – 9:00 Recap, Preview, and Close



AdministrationWelcome! Please Sign In.What the SIG is…and is not.

Is – an information resource for computer users and potential computer users

Is NOT – a way to get your computer built or repaired (contact the GSBUG Daytime Hardware SIG)

Log – Random Access/Q&A (First Come…)



Administration (continued):Presentation materials will be posted at:http://gsbug.apcug.org/hwinfosig.htm

Prior presentation materials are also posted.



Other ComponentsThese materials ONLY address mainstream, non-

professional “components” used in or with IBM-compatible PCs.



Other Components (continued)Modems:

Internal (ISA or PCI card), external (serial and USB)Typically 56Kbps (53Kbps downstream), V.90 or V.92

(ITU standard); typically includes faxing capability (14.4K)V.92 adds:

Modem on Hold (suspends for voice after Call Waiting notice) Quick Connect (remembers line conditions and bypasses parts

of line “training” for faster connection) V.PCM (up to 48Kbps upstream vs. up to 31.2Kbps; faster for

online gaming, uploading files)



Other Components (continued)Primary Modem Suppliers (visible brands)

Best Data (www.bestdata.com) Creative Labs (Modem Blaster) (

www.americas.creative.com) SONICblue (Supra) (www.sonicblue.com) Jaton (www.jaton.com) US Robotics (www.usr.com) Zoom (www.zoom.com)


GSBUG Hardware Info SIGOther Components (continued)Network Interface “Cards” (NICs)

Primarily used to attach systems to a network. Also used to connect a system to a cable modem.

Integrated (onto the motherboard) or by adapter card (ISA or PCI) - 10baseT (Ethernet), 100baseT (Fast Ethernet), 10/100baseT, 1000baseT (Gigabit Ethernet), and 10/100/1000baseT. xxxxMbps (claims to 2000Mbps).

Wireless – adapter “card” (PCI card with PC Card interface) or USB interface to IEEE 802.11b client; 11/22Mbps (22Mbps using Packet Binary Convolutional Coding (PBCC).


GSBUG Hardware Info SIGOther Components (continued)Primary NIC Suppliers (visible brands)

Most motherboard manufacturers (using Intel, Realtek, or the chipset manufacturer’s integrated NIC)

3Com (www.3com.com) D-Link (www.d-link.com) Intel (www.intel.com) Linksys (www.linlsys.com) NETGEAR (www.netgear.com) SMC (www.smc.com) US Robotics (www.usr.com)



Other Components (continued)Chassis

Typically used to mount: Internally and externally accessible “drives” (floppy, hard drive,

CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD, ZIP, others) The motherboard (w/ CPU and RAM) “Adapter cards” – video, hard drive controller, sound, modem,

NIC, specialty (USB, 1394, added serial or parallel, other special purpose)

Power supply(ies) Cooling fan(s) Internal cables of various types/uses.


GSBUG Hardware Info SIGOther Components (continued)Chassis (continued)

General, non-mobile chassis “types”: “Desktop” (classically lays horizontally, monitor on top) Tower – stands vertically; includes:

Small form factor (SFF) tower MicroATX tower Mid-tower Full tower Server tower – wide range

Rack-mount (pizza box shape; typically for servers) “Interfaces Points” – rear (I/O shield), front



Other Components (continued)Chassis (continued)

Primary Chassis Suppliers (visible brands) Addtronics (www.addtronics.com) Aopen (www.aopen.com) Chenbro Micom (www.chenbro.com) Compucase (www.compucase.com.tw) Enlight (www.enlightcorp.com) In-Win (www.in-win.com.tw) Min Maw (MMI) (www.minmaw.com)



Other Components (continued)Chassis (continued)

Primary Chassis Suppliers (visible brands, continued) Supermicro (www.supermicro.com) - primarily for servers Superpower (www.superpower.com) Yeong Yang (www.yeongyang.com)

There are hundreds of other chassis suppliers.FYI, Intel also builds chassis - for OEMs and SIs (system

integrators) – typically only for servers (www.intel.com).


GSBUG Hardware Info SIGOther Components (continued)Power Supplies

Receives power “from the wall” and distributes it the motherboard and “drives”. Some older styles may also provide a connection for your monitor.

Typically a PS/2 form factor with an ATX or ATX12V interface to the motherboard.

Wattage from approximately 145 – 450+.Server applications may include redundancy (N+1) and

“hot-swap” capability.Typically support 110/220v power source (via switch).


GSBUG Hardware Info SIGOther Components (continued)Power Supplies (continued)

Primary Power Supply Suppliers (visible brands) Antec (www.antec-inc.com) Delta (www.deltaww.com) Enermax (www.enermax.com.tw) Enhance (www.enhanceusa.com) NMB (www.nmbtech.com) PC Power & Cooling (www.pcpowercooling.com) Seasonic (www.seasonic.com) Sparkle (Fortron/Source) (www.sparklepower.com) Topower (www.topower.com)

The are hundreds of other brands.


GSBUG Hardware Info SIGOther Components (continued)Heat Sink Fan Assemblies (HFAs)

Used to remove heat from (cool) your CPU.The fan typically receives power from the motherboard.Most modern motherboards have a sensor to monitor

operation of the fan – alarm if set to do so in the BIOS. Included with “boxed processors”.The heat sink is typically aluminum – exotics may be

copper or include a copper base.Fan may have sleeve or ball bearings – ball is preferred.Ultra-high-performance fans may run at speeds over 5000

rpm and require a direct connection to the PS.


GSBUG Hardware Info SIGOther Components (continued)Heat Sink Fan Assemblies (HFAs) (continued)

Primary HFA Suppliers (visible brands) Aavid (www.aavid.com) Alpha (www.alphanovatech.com) Cooler Master (www.coolermaster.com) Dynatron (www.dynatron-corp.com) - AMD PIB program Global WIN (www.globalwin.com.tw) Sanyo Denki (www.sanyodenki.co.jp) - Intel boxed program TaiSol (www.taisol.com) - incl. heat pipe solutions Thermaltake (www.thermaltake.com)

Fan noise level can be extreme – 50+ db(A).


GSBUG Hardware Info SIGOther Components (continued)Fans (Case Fans)

Typically NOT required. If added (for extra cooling), the exhaust fan is the priority.

An intake fan is optional (may make things worse if the air flow is not properly channeled).

Some overclockers use multiple intake and exhaust fans.Size range – 60-120mm exhaust, 80-120mm intake.Fan speeds vary from under 2000 rpm to over 4000 rpm.Noise levels can be extreme – above 50 db(A)Air flow can be vary from under 20 to over 190 CFM.


GSBUG Hardware Info SIGOther Components (continued)Fans (Case Fans) (continued)

Primary Case Fan Suppliers (visible brands) Delta (www.deltaww.com) emb/Papst (www.emb.com) Sanyo Denki (www.sanyodenki.co.jp) Sunon (www.sunon.com.tw) Top Motor (www.dynatron-corp.com) YS Tech (www.ystech.com.tw)

NOTE: Because of the high power requirements of case fans, run them off the power supply, NOT the motherboard.



Other Components (continued)Keyboards

The primary text data input device for your system.Selection is highly subjective – what feels good, has the

right key spacing and size (enter key), and the extra features you want (Internet keys, etc.).

Typically use either a PS/2 or USB interface.Wired and wireless – look for use of a single receiver with

wireless combos (mouse and keyboard).


GSBUG Hardware Info SIGOther Components (continued)Keyboards (continued)

Primary Keyboard Suppliers (visible brands) BTC (www.btcusa.com) Chicony (www.chicony.com) Fujitsu (www.fujitsu.com) Key Tronic (www.keytronic.com) Logitech (www.logitech.com) Microsoft (www.microsoft.com) Mitsumi (www.mitsumi.com) NMB (www.nmbtech.com)

Hundreds of other brands. All suppliers have a wide range of models. Try before you buy!



Other Components (continued)Mice

The primary navigation device used within your operating system’s GUI (graphical user interface).

Ball, trackball, or optical.Wired or wireless – look for use of a single receiver with

wireless combos (mouse and keyboard).Like your keyboard, the selection is very subjective. Speeds and button/wheel functions are adjustable within

the OS and through utilities supplied with the product.



Other Components (continued)Mice (continued)

Primary Mouse Suppliers (visible brands) Kensington (www.kensington.com) Logitech (www.logitech.com) Microsoft (www.microsoft.com)

There are hundreds of other suppliers.Each supplier has a wide range of models. Try before

you buy!


GSBUG Hardware Info SIGHardware NewsProcessors

AMD released the Athlon XP 2400+ (2.0GHz) and 2600+ (2.13GHz) – simple desktop line extensions; Thoroughbred core, .13 micron. AMD also released the Athlon MP 2200+ (1.8GHz) for servers and workstations – first based on the Thoroughbred core, .13 micron.

Intel released four Pentium 4 processors - 2.5GHz/400MHz FSB, 2.6GHz/400MHz FSB, 2.66GHz/533MHz FSB and 2.8GHz/533MHz FSB. Simple line extensions.

Major price drops from both AMD and Intel.


GSBUG Hardware Info SIGHardware News (continued)Core Logic (chipsets)

SiS released (when?) the SiS746 Northbridge for AMD processors - 266MHz FSB, 333MHz memory bus, max 3GB RAM, AGP 8X. Also released (when?) the SiS963 Southbridge – same spec as 962 with faster NB-to-SB bus.

VIA announced the KT400 (VT8368) Northbridge for AMD processors – 266MHz FSB, 333MHz memory bus, max 4GB RAM, AGP 8X (basically the KT333 with AGP 8X).


GSBUG Hardware Info SIGHardware NewsSystem RAM – nothing newMotherboards

Gigabyte released the GA-7VAXP – VIA KT400/8235 chipset, max 3GB PC2700 DDR SDRAM (DDR333), AGP 8X, ATA/133 plus Promise ATA/133 RAID, LAN,1394, USB 2.0, and 6 channel AC97 audio.

Graphics processors & cardsGigabyte and Hercules announce ATI RADEON 9700 PRO-based video cards. FIC,

Gigabyte, Tyan and others announce ATI RADEON 9000 PRO-based cards. Creative 9700 card reviewed but not yet released.


GSBUG Hardware Info SIGHardware News (continued)Hard Drives

Maxtor announced 80GB/platter drives (DiamondMax 9 and 16 series) – from 60-160GB, 7200 rpm, ATA/133, optional 8MB cache. Also announced shipments of SATA/150 versions starting in December. Detail specs not available.

Maxtor announced that effective October 1, 2002 the standard warranty for desktop drives drops from three (3) years to one (1) year.



Hardware News (continued)Hard Drive Controllers

3ware announced the Escalade 8500 series SATA/150 RAID controller in 4, 8 and 12 port configurations; includes RAID 5 support.

Adaptec announced the 2120S single-channel and 2200S dual-channel Ultra320 SCSI RAID controllers for servers and workstations.


GSBUG Hardware Info SIGHardware News (continued)Other Drives

Iomega released a 750MB version of its ZIP drive - USB 2.0 interface (IEEE-1394 and ATAPI to follow); up to 7.5MB/sec transfer rate (press release). Spec not posted.

Plextor released PlexWriter 48/24/48A (ATAPI) and 48/24/48U (USB 2.0) CD-RW drives; 4MB buffer.

Sound processors & cardsHercules released the Fortissimo III 7.1 sound card – supports 1

center, 2 front, 2 rear, 2 Surround, and 1 sub-woofer; based on the Crystal CS4624 sound processor.



Hardware News (continued)Modems & NICs – nothing newChassis & power supplies – nothing new



Random Access (Q&A)



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