Subject: [linux-audio-dev] new system - what to buy ?
From: Paul Barton-Davis (pbd_AT_Op.Net)
Date: ma marras 29 1999 - 17:07:34 EST
ok, its time for me to order the new machine for the all-or-mostly
linux powered section of my friend's pro-studio. and its *hard*. here
are the contenders, with some notes:
* dual Pentium something-or-other (custom built)
-------------------------------
Pros: like the system i have at home (self-built)
can use OEM rack-mount case
nobody was ever fired for buying Intel
fast enough
SMP
Cons: not *that* fast
can't run commercial audio apps without windows
* single Athlon 700/750 (custom built)
---------------------
Pros: faster than anything from Intel
a little cheaper too
Cons: no SMP motherboards (till at least Q3 2000)
no motherboards with builtin SCSI controllers
hard to get the processors on their own
hard to get the motherboards on their own
can't run commercial audio apps without windows
* Apple G4
--------
Pros: possibly faster than anything else
cheap
you can get one of Apple's new digital monitors
you can run commercial apps without running windows
Cons: linux-ppc is still "unstable"
full speed needs a new version of gcc
no SPECfp benchmarks available yet, so we don't know how
it is without the Altivec
hard to buy with custom specs
no rack-mount options
So, does anyone have any opinions on what *they* would do ? I have a
strong preference for an SMP system, but is that the most significant
thing ? Thanks for any feedback. A year ago, this was an easy choice:
the dual Pentium II 450 won easily. This time, it seems much more of a
trade-off.
--p
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b28 : pe maalis 10 2000 - 07:23:26 EST