Re: Hardware Recommendations

Hi Stephen:

I too will be looking for a new system shortly.  I'm currently running a 200
MHZ single processor (Intel)MMX
128 Meg of RAM.  My understanding at this point is that the plll is not a
huge leap from the pll top end.  There is another chip they are working on
that will be worth waiting for.

Here's some more information.  AMD makes super chips that are totally
compatible and outperforming the Intel's.  The price difference can be as
much as 400.00.  So you may want to think of the options.

Video cards.  Before you go running out for a new card, consider this.  ATI
is currently considered the leader in video cards.  They just released the
Rage Fury.  New achitecture and chip that is leaving the rest trying to play
catch-up.  128 bit with up to 32 Meg on board.  Go to their site and check
out their new products.  I've been checking around on newsreleases and
benchmarks.  This is the king of the hill and may well be that way for some
time.  It outperforms the Voodoo and the others.  You can also ad components
or by an All-In-Wonder-Package.  Video in, video out, TV tuner, video
capture and with the high end card up to 60 frames per second video.

Amazingly they have kept the price down as well.  I do a lot of avi work,
morphing and 3D rendering for large screen presentations.  This is the
ticket without spending 5,000.00 for one video card.  So keep this in mind
before you go dropping bucks on another video card.

You are using similar software to me.  Most of my graphics are done in Corel
Draw and PhotoPaint.  You'll appreciate the extra RAM.  My next machine will
be 256 Meg of Ram.  I use my machine for large screen presentations with
animation and sound.  Also 3D rendering.  If you want quick refresh rates
and plan on doing some high end stuff, make sure you have an excellent video
card (ATI 32 Meg is outstanding) and lots of Ram.  I'm currently running 128
Meg and could use more.

Here is  the ATI URL to visit: http://www.atitech.com/

Rob Mellor
Millenium Studios
http://www.milleniumstudios.com
http://www.fallscasino.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Stephen K. Fisk <skfisk(at)iserv.net>
To: HWG Graphics <hwg-graphics(at)hwg.org>
Date: Wednesday, March 17, 1999 9:40 PM
Subject: Hardware Recommendations


>I am planning to build a new computer later this year and would appreciate
>feedback on what features would make a PC a "dream machine" for Web design
>work.
>
>Current tools include Photoshop  5, CorelDraw 8, HomeSite 4, SmartSaver
Pro,
>Graphics Workshop Pro, along with Kai's Power Tools and Eye Candy.
>
>I plan to purchase all high-quality components (Intel motherboard and CPU),
>at least 128, possibly 256MB RAM, etc.  I will likely buy a motherboard
that
>will accept the new Pentium III chip but will probably start out with a
>Pentium II 450 and then upgrade when the dust settles and both the chip and
>software are better suited, although if anyone has experience that says I
>should go straight to a P-III I would be open on the point.  When it comes
>to graphics boards and accelerators I am a babe in the woods.  I want a
>solid system that is state-of-the-art so I would appreciate some advice in
>this area.  As to monitors I am inclined to stay with a 17-inch unit but am
>open on that point too.  I would especially like to hear from those of you
>who spend all day on your PC and have strong feelings about what you wish
>you had but don't <grin>.
>
>Thanks in advance - skf
>
>

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