I've
been meaning to do a systems page for along time.
You know, list of the current Spec's for the machines I use everyday after work to have fun on.
Well, I'm finally getting around to it. Granted, somethings change all the time, like PC's and Parts, by what the hell, at least this is a good start. (All links will open New windows for your browser, might be considered "popups")
I had Mod'ed a case for my gaming machine. It didn't turn out as good as I had wanted, not bad, just not what I ended up with.
I call my gaming machine "Killer"...lol
I have alot of fun playing Unreal Tournament 2004 and earlier UT's also. Haven't found any other games as interesting, that's why I like "first-person shooters", lots of blood and Guts and I get to kill people(Take out my frustrations...lol), without going to jail.
I'm also a Very BIG fan of Linux. Its my everyday workstation for just about everything. Email, web-surfing, and just about everything else I useta use WinBlows for, I now use Linux for. I've been slowly getting everything moved over and there isn't a thing I can't do with Linux that other use WinBlows for.
As you can tell from the pictures, I have some computers. I have Six(6) currently running, with plans for one more. I also own a laptop which thanks to Vincent(a guy I useta work with at Fujitsu), has done me some serious justice and I like it alot. So much so, that I've maxed it out with upgrades. Its a VPR-Matrix made by Best-Buy. I've put in a 60 gig, ATA100 drive, and 1 gig of Ram to make it a great little machine. I also recently added a Wireless-G card to it from NetGear and it does dam good also.
Now, you prolly think I run WinBlows on the laptop, Your half-right. I dual-boot it with XP Home and RedHat-9. Both are fully functional and use all the features of the laptop, including the wireless. I also added a USB-Hub, and a Targus laptop-cooler and a Dragon sticker on the top lid. It runs UT2004 just fine and I can do most anything I want. I added an Extra Portable 2.5 - 40gig drive also in its own little case I had gotten from Fry's at a real Cheap price. I also have a Mitsubishi Amity-CN that is a P-1/166 that runs Redhat 6. I use it for network traffic monitoring when I need it or even just because I love how small it is. I want a Laptop that small but with a P4 in it dam it. I think a MAC is next if I get my way about it. Look here if you want to see PICTURES.
Yes, I admit it, I'm a Fry's junky. I hate their customer service, but you can't beat the prices most of the time. Buyer Beware, Do your research, KNOW what you want and all the usual warnings when buying from them.
I got tired of a plain jane PC box setup with regular boxes thrown into a rack. So, I've started switching everything over to the Rack Mounts from Cinch. They are 4U's with no power supply from Fry's. $89 and they show it. Yeah, they are cheap, and cheaply made, but they fit the bill in my book. Can hold all of my full size video cards and even hold up to 10 drives if you place them right. Don't believe the description, I had to go and check them out for myself to be sure how many drives I could fit and so on.
So, now that the basic crap is outa the way, lets get on with the descriptions.
Since "Killer" is the fastest and one I'm proud of:
AMD 64 -3400 with 1 Gig of PQI DDR-400 Ram, with a Western Digital SATA 7200rpm 200 Gig drive. I also put in the Nvidia 6800XT with 128 Meg of DDR3 Ram. Along with a 4X DVD Burner and its all put into the Shuttle XPC case. Yeah, one of those LITTLE boxes. The dam thing is great. More info here. And YES, I plan on getting one of the Flat-Screens they have for it. And yes, this runs WinBlows(Pro) for games.
Next Machine - Graphics and Misc. Stuff:
Next is another WinBlows Machine, it was my Gamer until I got "Killer".
Its a AMD3000 with a MSI - KT6V Motherboard. It has 1 Gig of Corsair DDR-400 Ram and two(2) Western Digital 250Gig -7200rpm ATA133 Drives. I put in a Nvidia 5600Ultra with 256 Meg of video DDR-RAM and it also runs a SoundBlaster Audigy for sound. I just recently put in a 8X DVD burner which actually kinda stumps me because it will only RIP DVD's at 2.4X, but burns them pretty dam fast. I also use this machine to burn off music, movies or whatever and its a good machine so I couldn't see wasting it. I added two(2) External USB-Drives for more Temporary storage(portable). I currently run it at 1280X1024 for graphics on screen.
One of my Pride and JOY'S:
Another MSI motherboard with a AMD2400 OverClocked to 2600. One(1)Gig of Corsair DDR-2100 Ram with two(2) HD's. One is a Western Digital 7200rpm - ATA133 80Gig drive and the other is a Maxtor 7200rpm - ATA133 60Gig Drive. I also put in a Nvidia Geforce4 440 with 128 Meg of Video Ram. All that to run RedHat 9 at a blazing speed. The Box has some much Custom stuff on it, I'm afraid to up-grade it to a newer OS such as Fedora Core because I might break it. I use it for everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING. I use Fedora-Legacy to keep it current and it does a great job. Also runs at 1280x1024 for image to screen.
Next up, The Storage Machine:
This machine useta be a webserver. Its an Intel P3-800 with 256 Meg of PC100 Ram. One of the old Video on-board Server motherboards. Only "bad" thing in my eyes is that it only has ATA66 for on-board Drives. I added in a 2 channel ATA133 card which will let me have 8 HardDrives total in it if I want. Right now, I have Various drives in it from 30Gigs to 120Gigs. 1-30gig, 1-40Gig, 1-80Gig, 1-90Gig, 1-100Gig, and 3-120Gig drives in the machine. All it does it store files. Everything from movies to music to Back-ups of "stuff" that I keep around. The plan is to UP-grade all the HD's in the machine to 250Gigs and put the current drives into USB-Cases. Little by little. Oh, and it also runs Fedora Core 2 shared out to the network threw Samba and NFS
Web-Server/Game Server:
Yeah, I got a web-server running here also. Keeps all my Private stuff on it and its also a Backup for Dragon-Designs if I need it.
It also runs a UT2004 Game Server when I want or need it. It does pretty good as one because of the RAM onboard and the HD's are all 7200rpm Drives.
It has a Dual 1Gig Processor motherboard with 2Gigs of PC-133 Ram. A cheap Nvidia cards and runs Fedora Core 2 for an operating system. The 2.6 Kernel lets this thing scream when I need to get things done. It also has built in RAID for ATA133 drives which I'm NOT using because I'm using it in a 8 Drive mode instead. I currently have 6 drives in the machine with sizes ranging from 40Gig to 60Gig. Plans are to update the drives when I get a chance to bigger ones for more "back-up" if I need it.
Lastly, The DownLoad Machine:
I'm not gonna get into alot of detail about what this machine does, your guess is as good as anyone elses.
Machine has a cheapy AMD motherboard with a AMD1800 Processor and 512Meg of Ram. On-board video and a 3Com905-100BaseT card in it. Three(3) HardDrives, all 40Gigs.
The last "PLANNED" machine is one to watch and record Movies with. I have a Nvidia card that does S-Video out and a break-out box for Video-Capture. So, I'm gonna put it into a small case that can be put in with my Stereo equipment and plug right into the VCR/Cable and record/watch movies to my hearts content. I also have a 60Gig drive that I will use in it.
To Tie all this together, The KVM is an 8-Port model. I had to get a new one because my older one started mis-behaving on me. I purchased a TrendNET TK-801R at Fry's which was with their Networking Equipment. Yes, it's RackMounted. Funny thing was that is was REAL cheap - $119 compared to the ones that had over with the "other" KVM's. Kinda wasted my time looking over there.
About two(2) months ago, I had a 8-port 100BaseT switch and a little 5-port 100BaseT switch. Was kinda getting on my nerves, so I went and got a AirLink 16-port 100BaseT Switch and it was only $59. Now, over in the "Networking" section of Fry's, they had a LinkSys 16-port and they wanted $299 for the dam thing. Again, same place as the KVM, sat this Switch I bought and it's been a life saver. There are plans to put a Giga-bit switch in soon with links for Storage Machine and to the Web-Server.
I also upgraded my Wireless Router Recently for a GRAND TOTAL of $25. Kid-you-not. It's a "G" router, 54mps and all and it sits on the network just as plain as can be. It's the one that was on sale at Fry's that everyone had such a hard time with. HMMM... I got one, did the upgrade to the bios and haven't had a problem since. Of course, I have it locked down and good luck getting onto it with a wireless card unless you talk to me first.
Last but not least, accessories. A woman has necklaces and all the fluffy stuff, well, so do my computers.
I got a LogiTech Wireless Keyboard and Mouse from a guy in Austin that went to a Dell system for $25.
I have a Microsoft Intellimouse optical for gaming(want the large-size explorer mouse but shit, $45 for a mouse?)
I also have two(2) Microsoft SideWinder Strategic Commander (gaming pads) for gaming. Have worn out button Six(6) on both of them.
And thanks to Tony, I have a Set of MonSoon Speakers that kick ass. See them here. I couldn't find their web-site.
I've also got a pair of Wireless HeadPhones so I don't blast people out with the speakers. TXRose found them for me.
I also have a switch I had gotten from RadioShack so that all the Computers could share the Speakers, along with a little switch that goes to the headphones if I need it.
My RoomMate Jack(SgtD) managed to get me a Headphone/Microphone set for game-play from Logitech. Nice one to.
Because of Dallas being a very Poor Power(electric) city, I've gotten a APC battery backup that also Cleans the power and helps with surges and lulls. I got a $299 unit for $99 at CompUSA 2 paydays ago.
And to top all this off and to SEE into my creation, I bought a 21" monitor. Got it from Fry's(of course) and I even got their little 3-year replacement deal. I love this monitor, its alittle bit heavy, but I tell you what, nothing like working on a 15 inch then going to a 21", it boggles the eyes. I still have my 19inch monitor sitting to the side and I'm trying to decide if I should take it to work or not to use. Using 17's there.
Well, I hope you liked this little tour of my PC's. It's been fun and perhaps I'll remember to edit this as I change things. Till then, enjoy the pictures below.
You know, list of the current Spec's for the machines I use everyday after work to have fun on.
Well, I'm finally getting around to it. Granted, somethings change all the time, like PC's and Parts, by what the hell, at least this is a good start. (All links will open New windows for your browser, might be considered "popups")
I had Mod'ed a case for my gaming machine. It didn't turn out as good as I had wanted, not bad, just not what I ended up with.
I call my gaming machine "Killer"...lol
I have alot of fun playing Unreal Tournament 2004 and earlier UT's also. Haven't found any other games as interesting, that's why I like "first-person shooters", lots of blood and Guts and I get to kill people(Take out my frustrations...lol), without going to jail.
I'm also a Very BIG fan of Linux. Its my everyday workstation for just about everything. Email, web-surfing, and just about everything else I useta use WinBlows for, I now use Linux for. I've been slowly getting everything moved over and there isn't a thing I can't do with Linux that other use WinBlows for.
As you can tell from the pictures, I have some computers. I have Six(6) currently running, with plans for one more. I also own a laptop which thanks to Vincent(a guy I useta work with at Fujitsu), has done me some serious justice and I like it alot. So much so, that I've maxed it out with upgrades. Its a VPR-Matrix made by Best-Buy. I've put in a 60 gig, ATA100 drive, and 1 gig of Ram to make it a great little machine. I also recently added a Wireless-G card to it from NetGear and it does dam good also.
Now, you prolly think I run WinBlows on the laptop, Your half-right. I dual-boot it with XP Home and RedHat-9. Both are fully functional and use all the features of the laptop, including the wireless. I also added a USB-Hub, and a Targus laptop-cooler and a Dragon sticker on the top lid. It runs UT2004 just fine and I can do most anything I want. I added an Extra Portable 2.5 - 40gig drive also in its own little case I had gotten from Fry's at a real Cheap price. I also have a Mitsubishi Amity-CN that is a P-1/166 that runs Redhat 6. I use it for network traffic monitoring when I need it or even just because I love how small it is. I want a Laptop that small but with a P4 in it dam it. I think a MAC is next if I get my way about it. Look here if you want to see PICTURES.
Yes, I admit it, I'm a Fry's junky. I hate their customer service, but you can't beat the prices most of the time. Buyer Beware, Do your research, KNOW what you want and all the usual warnings when buying from them.
I got tired of a plain jane PC box setup with regular boxes thrown into a rack. So, I've started switching everything over to the Rack Mounts from Cinch. They are 4U's with no power supply from Fry's. $89 and they show it. Yeah, they are cheap, and cheaply made, but they fit the bill in my book. Can hold all of my full size video cards and even hold up to 10 drives if you place them right. Don't believe the description, I had to go and check them out for myself to be sure how many drives I could fit and so on.
So, now that the basic crap is outa the way, lets get on with the descriptions.
Since "Killer" is the fastest and one I'm proud of:
AMD 64 -3400 with 1 Gig of PQI DDR-400 Ram, with a Western Digital SATA 7200rpm 200 Gig drive. I also put in the Nvidia 6800XT with 128 Meg of DDR3 Ram. Along with a 4X DVD Burner and its all put into the Shuttle XPC case. Yeah, one of those LITTLE boxes. The dam thing is great. More info here. And YES, I plan on getting one of the Flat-Screens they have for it. And yes, this runs WinBlows(Pro) for games.
Next Machine - Graphics and Misc. Stuff:
Next is another WinBlows Machine, it was my Gamer until I got "Killer".
Its a AMD3000 with a MSI - KT6V Motherboard. It has 1 Gig of Corsair DDR-400 Ram and two(2) Western Digital 250Gig -7200rpm ATA133 Drives. I put in a Nvidia 5600Ultra with 256 Meg of video DDR-RAM and it also runs a SoundBlaster Audigy for sound. I just recently put in a 8X DVD burner which actually kinda stumps me because it will only RIP DVD's at 2.4X, but burns them pretty dam fast. I also use this machine to burn off music, movies or whatever and its a good machine so I couldn't see wasting it. I added two(2) External USB-Drives for more Temporary storage(portable). I currently run it at 1280X1024 for graphics on screen.
One of my Pride and JOY'S:
Another MSI motherboard with a AMD2400 OverClocked to 2600. One(1)Gig of Corsair DDR-2100 Ram with two(2) HD's. One is a Western Digital 7200rpm - ATA133 80Gig drive and the other is a Maxtor 7200rpm - ATA133 60Gig Drive. I also put in a Nvidia Geforce4 440 with 128 Meg of Video Ram. All that to run RedHat 9 at a blazing speed. The Box has some much Custom stuff on it, I'm afraid to up-grade it to a newer OS such as Fedora Core because I might break it. I use it for everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING. I use Fedora-Legacy to keep it current and it does a great job. Also runs at 1280x1024 for image to screen.
Next up, The Storage Machine:
This machine useta be a webserver. Its an Intel P3-800 with 256 Meg of PC100 Ram. One of the old Video on-board Server motherboards. Only "bad" thing in my eyes is that it only has ATA66 for on-board Drives. I added in a 2 channel ATA133 card which will let me have 8 HardDrives total in it if I want. Right now, I have Various drives in it from 30Gigs to 120Gigs. 1-30gig, 1-40Gig, 1-80Gig, 1-90Gig, 1-100Gig, and 3-120Gig drives in the machine. All it does it store files. Everything from movies to music to Back-ups of "stuff" that I keep around. The plan is to UP-grade all the HD's in the machine to 250Gigs and put the current drives into USB-Cases. Little by little. Oh, and it also runs Fedora Core 2 shared out to the network threw Samba and NFS
Web-Server/Game Server:
Yeah, I got a web-server running here also. Keeps all my Private stuff on it and its also a Backup for Dragon-Designs if I need it.
It also runs a UT2004 Game Server when I want or need it. It does pretty good as one because of the RAM onboard and the HD's are all 7200rpm Drives.
It has a Dual 1Gig Processor motherboard with 2Gigs of PC-133 Ram. A cheap Nvidia cards and runs Fedora Core 2 for an operating system. The 2.6 Kernel lets this thing scream when I need to get things done. It also has built in RAID for ATA133 drives which I'm NOT using because I'm using it in a 8 Drive mode instead. I currently have 6 drives in the machine with sizes ranging from 40Gig to 60Gig. Plans are to update the drives when I get a chance to bigger ones for more "back-up" if I need it.
Lastly, The DownLoad Machine:
I'm not gonna get into alot of detail about what this machine does, your guess is as good as anyone elses.
Machine has a cheapy AMD motherboard with a AMD1800 Processor and 512Meg of Ram. On-board video and a 3Com905-100BaseT card in it. Three(3) HardDrives, all 40Gigs.
The last "PLANNED" machine is one to watch and record Movies with. I have a Nvidia card that does S-Video out and a break-out box for Video-Capture. So, I'm gonna put it into a small case that can be put in with my Stereo equipment and plug right into the VCR/Cable and record/watch movies to my hearts content. I also have a 60Gig drive that I will use in it.
To Tie all this together, The KVM is an 8-Port model. I had to get a new one because my older one started mis-behaving on me. I purchased a TrendNET TK-801R at Fry's which was with their Networking Equipment. Yes, it's RackMounted. Funny thing was that is was REAL cheap - $119 compared to the ones that had over with the "other" KVM's. Kinda wasted my time looking over there.
About two(2) months ago, I had a 8-port 100BaseT switch and a little 5-port 100BaseT switch. Was kinda getting on my nerves, so I went and got a AirLink 16-port 100BaseT Switch and it was only $59. Now, over in the "Networking" section of Fry's, they had a LinkSys 16-port and they wanted $299 for the dam thing. Again, same place as the KVM, sat this Switch I bought and it's been a life saver. There are plans to put a Giga-bit switch in soon with links for Storage Machine and to the Web-Server.
I also upgraded my Wireless Router Recently for a GRAND TOTAL of $25. Kid-you-not. It's a "G" router, 54mps and all and it sits on the network just as plain as can be. It's the one that was on sale at Fry's that everyone had such a hard time with. HMMM... I got one, did the upgrade to the bios and haven't had a problem since. Of course, I have it locked down and good luck getting onto it with a wireless card unless you talk to me first.
Last but not least, accessories. A woman has necklaces and all the fluffy stuff, well, so do my computers.
I got a LogiTech Wireless Keyboard and Mouse from a guy in Austin that went to a Dell system for $25.
I have a Microsoft Intellimouse optical for gaming(want the large-size explorer mouse but shit, $45 for a mouse?)
I also have two(2) Microsoft SideWinder Strategic Commander (gaming pads) for gaming. Have worn out button Six(6) on both of them.
And thanks to Tony, I have a Set of MonSoon Speakers that kick ass. See them here. I couldn't find their web-site.
I've also got a pair of Wireless HeadPhones so I don't blast people out with the speakers. TXRose found them for me.
I also have a switch I had gotten from RadioShack so that all the Computers could share the Speakers, along with a little switch that goes to the headphones if I need it.
My RoomMate Jack(SgtD) managed to get me a Headphone/Microphone set for game-play from Logitech. Nice one to.
Because of Dallas being a very Poor Power(electric) city, I've gotten a APC battery backup that also Cleans the power and helps with surges and lulls. I got a $299 unit for $99 at CompUSA 2 paydays ago.
And to top all this off and to SEE into my creation, I bought a 21" monitor. Got it from Fry's(of course) and I even got their little 3-year replacement deal. I love this monitor, its alittle bit heavy, but I tell you what, nothing like working on a 15 inch then going to a 21", it boggles the eyes. I still have my 19inch monitor sitting to the side and I'm trying to decide if I should take it to work or not to use. Using 17's there.
Well, I hope you liked this little tour of my PC's. It's been fun and perhaps I'll remember to edit this as I change things. Till then, enjoy the pictures below.
