Greetings To GTALUG Members, Having gratefully received an avalanche of helpful postings from GTALUG members, and based on that advice, I provide below a summary of the revisions to the original specification of components, for the new desktop PC.
Please find attached a PDF summary of the revised PC configuration:
a.. <ca.pcpartpicker.com -- win7_PC_business_24_7_duty_bare_v2 - summary -
Steve_Petrie - 20160811.pdf>.
The price may seem high, given that this is not a gamer's PC. There is no video
graphics support beyond that on the Intel CPU.
This PC is a heavy-duty professional / business PC. The objective of this PC is
to provide fast performance, with the ability to run cool and cruising (not
struggling) under constant 24 / 7 duty. Also there is provision for future
expansion, without overtaxing cooling capacity or power supply.
Please note that the revised specification attached, includes only the Windows
7 operating system, and makes no mention of the Linux operating system.
Omission of Linux is intentional, as commercial system builders typically are
only interested in shipping PCs with Windows. So the plan is to do the Linux
installation after the PC is received from the builder.
I am now going to request price quotations for the PC as specified, from a
number of commercial PC builders.
If no satisfactory commercial builder quotation ensues (meaning: acceptable
price and no component substitutions), then I will likely resort to the
build-it-yourself option, with kind help from GTALUG. There is a hybrid build
option: get the motherboard built commercially, and then personally complete
the build from there.
* * *
* * *
RAM
Increase the RAM size from 8 GB to 16 GB (2 x 8GB DIMM).
The ASRock Z97 Extreme6 motherboard has 4 DDR-3 slots, providing for future
memory expansion to the maximum 32 GB supported by the Intel i5-4460 CPU.
* * *
* * *
DIALUP MODEMS AND DSL (DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER LINE)
It appears that Linux (and Windows) are keeping up support for: 1. USB dial up
modems and 2. PPP network protocol, to enable tethering of GSM phones to the
OS, as dial up modems (for e.g. file transfer).
Therefore it is very likely that the same support (for USB dial up modems and
PPP) on Linux, should also work on Linux with a real USB dial up modem (e,g,
USR5637 56K V.92 USB modem).
Dial up modems today still find uses, in situations where land line telephone
service is the only wired Internet connection available: 1. in some rural
areas, and 2. with portable computers away from home base, e.g. in hotel room.
Also: some point-of-sale payment transaction systems use dial up modems, for
improved security.
Terminology: "hard line" = "land line" = POTS (plain old telephone service) =
physical twisted pair of copper wires that electrically connect a subscriber's
equipment, to the remote telephone exchange and thereby to the PSTN (public
switched telephone network).
Terminology: DSL (digital subscriber line) = ADSL (asymmetric digital
subscriber line), the "asymmetric" means that upstream communications (from
local to remote) and downstream communications (from remote to local) use
different frequency ranges (Up: 26.075 .. 137.825 kHz, Down: 138 .. 1104 kHz).
DSL service can share the same hard line with analog devices (e.g. telephone,
dial up modem, fax machine) because DSL uses much higher modulation
frequencies (26.075 .. 1104 kHz) than do conventional (human voice band)
analog devices (0 .. 4 kHz).
However, in order for DSL and analog devices to share the same wire pair hard
line without interference, the DSL modem must be electrically isolated from
the analog devices (and vice-versa), to prevent mutual interference caused by
secondary effects of signals generated by the various devices on the line.
The necessary isolation between the DSL modem and the analog devices on the
same wire pair line, is achieved by adding a DSL filter between each analog
device (e.g. telephone, dial up modem) and the line.
For convenience, a variation on the DSL filter, called a DSL filter /
splitter, provides two jacks on the same filter device, one (unfiltered) jack
for connecting the DSL modem and one (filtered) jack for connecting an analog
device (e.g. telphone, dial up modem).
Adding decision complexity to a DSL service acquisition, are availability of
more modern DSL standards that offer significantly higher speeds: ADSL2, VDSL
and VDSL2.
Given that, with DSL service installed on the hard line, it will still be
feasible to continue to use on the same hard line, the dial up modem on the
existing Windows XP PC, why not go straight to using DSL for the new Linux PC,
and skip entirely any use of a dial up modem (e.g. USR5637 56K V.92 USB modem)
on the new PC?
Here are my reasons for first using a dial up modem on the new Linux PC:
a.. #1 Postpone the non-trivial task of: specifying and provisioning DSL
service (service type decision, modem selection, service implementation). DSL
will be a too large distraction from the main project, which is to get a Linux
PC working.
b.. #2. Simplify the task of setting up the new Linux PC, by minimizing: 1.
any changes to setup and operation of existing Windows XP PC (dial up modem),
and by minimizing: 2. any changes to existing Internet ISP connection facility
(dial up).
c.. #3. Save money ($25 / mo.): postpone upgrade, from 56Kbps dial up (ISP
$15 / mo), to 5Mbps DSL (ISP $40 / mo);
d.. #4. Curiosity: Web browsing with dial up modem on the existing Windows
XP PC has grown to be painfully slow with advent of larger and larger web page
sizes. But pages always used to load reliably, albeit slowly.
However, over the past few years, web page load performance has steadily
degraded, to the point where too many pages either quietly fail to completely
load on the first attempt, or fail to load with some browser error message.
So I plan to find out, if the Linux PC can deliver a better web browsing
experience over a dial up Internet connection, than the very poor browsing
experience on the existing Windows XP PC.
e.. #5 Even after I have upgraded the Linux PC to use DSL for its regular
Internet connectivity, I want to be able occasionally to use a dial up modem
Internet connection on the Linux PC. Mainly for testing the responsiveness
over dial up, of a new website I am building.
I have set a target maximum of 10 seconds response time for a page load, for
a website visitor using a browser over a dial up modem connection. There are
still plenty of people using dial up, whether out of frugality or poverty. And
I intend that the new website will treat these dial up users, with respect for
the value of their time.
* * *
* * *
VIDEO DISPLAY MONITOR AND CABLE
Consider increasing the size of the video display monitor, to allow for
comfortable viewing with user's advancing age. The present display monitor on
the Windows XP PC is 17" diagonal.
Therefore the 21.5" diagonal video monitor (LG 22MB35DM-I) specified for the
new Linux PC, already provides a large increase (4.5") viewing area diagonal
over the Win XP PC monitor -- at a price of $167.92.
However, a 23.8" (LG 24MB35DM-B) monitor can be had on amazon.ca for a price
of only $195.00, so the decision is to upgrade the monitor specified, to the
23.8" LG model from the 21.5" LG model.
Video monitors of yet higher diagonal sizes are too expensive for the budget.
Therefore upgrade the specification to an LG 24MB35DM-B 23.8" video monitor.
* * *
Can the CPU's built-in Intel HD Graphics 4600 video display controller, on the
Intel 4-Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Processor, on the ASRock Expreme6 motherboard,
drive the 24MB35DM-B 23.8" IPS LED Back-lit Full HD 1080p 1920x1080 Monitor,
through its DVI-D D-Sub connector?
Here is a paste from the Intel CPU product web page:
http://ark.intel.com/products/80817/Intel-Core-i5-4460-Processor-6M-Cache-up-to-3_40-GHz
...
Graphics Specifications Processor Graphics ++ Intel(c) HD Graphics 4600 Graphics
Base Frequency 350 MHz
Graphics Max Dynamic Frequency 1.1 GHz
Graphics Video Max Memory 2 GB
Graphics Output eDP/DP/HDMI/VGA
Max Resolution (HDMI 1.4)++ 4096x2304@24Hz
Max Resolution (DP)++ 3840x2160@60Hz
Max Resolution (eDP - Integrated Flat Panel)++ 3840x2160@60Hz
Max Resolution (VGA)++ 1920x1200@60Hz
DirectX* Support 11.2/12
OpenGL+ Support 4.3
Intel(R) Quick Sync Video Yes
Intel(R) InTru(tm) 3D Technology Yes
Intel(R) Insider(tm) Yes
Intel(R) Wireless Display Yes
Intel(R) Flexible Display Interface (Intel® FDI) Yes
Intel(R) Clear Video HD Technology Yes
# of Displays Supported ++ 3 Device ID 0x412
...
And here is a paste from the ASRock Z97 Extreme6 motherboard specfication:
...
Graphics
Three graphics output options: DVI-I, HDMI and DisplayPort 1.2
Supports HDMI with max. resolution up to 4K x 2K (4096x2160) @ 24Hz
Supports DVI-I with max. resolution up to 1920x1200 @ 60Hz
Supports DisplayPort 1.2 with max. resolution up to 4K x 2K (4096x2160) @ 24Hz
or 4K x 2K (3840x2160) @ 60Hz
...
Here is a paste from the LG 24MB35DM-B 23.8" video monitor owner's manual :
Resolution Max D-SUB(Analog) : 1280 x 1024 @ 60 Hz
DVI (Digital) : 1280 x 1024 @ 60 Hz
Since: 1. the DVI-I video output signals on the ASRock Extreme6 motherboard's
DVI-I connector, can directly drive the DVI-D input on the LG 24MB35DM-B
monitor, and 2. a DVI-D cable is compatible with the DVI-I connector on the
ASRock motherboard, and 3. the DVI standard maximum length of a DVI cable is 5
meters (16 feet), a simple 12 foot (or 15 foot) DVI-D cable will suffice to
connect the monitor to the motherboard.
* * *
* * *
WESTERN DIGITAL HARD DISK DRIVE
Upgrade the HDD to Western Digital Black Series 1 TB 3.5" from Western Digital
Blue Series 750 GB.
The WD Black Series are designed for heavy professional PC use. The Blue series
are not so thoroughly tested by WD and are not recommended for heavy
professional use.
The WD Blue Series also have a power-down feature (after 2 to 3 minutes idle)
that makes them inconvenient for intermittent use, because of the long spin-up
delay after power-down.
The WD Black Series model chosen is WD1003FZEX SATA 6 Gb/s 3.5 Inch 7200 1 TB
with 64 MB cache.
* * *
* * *
CASE: FRACTAL DESIGN VS SILVERSTONE
The case originally specified: Fractal Design Define R5 (Black) has a door that
covers the entire front of the case. There is exposure to damage to an optical
drive, if the optical drive ejects a disc while the front door of the case is
in the way.
The SilverStone TJ04-E was suggested as an alternative case. However, this
venerable popular model is no longer available. The successor SilverStone
model: SST-TJ04B-E does not seem to be nearly as well made as the original
TJ04-E. Numerous reviews on Anazon.com mention flimsy material and
construction. There are other SilverStone case models of interest, but none as
compelling in features as the Fractal Design Define R5.
The decision is to use a Fractal Design Define R5 (Black) case with the front
foor, as originally specified, and be very careful always to keep the front
door of this case wide open, so long as there is a disc in the optical drive.
(Good luck, Steve :)
* * *
* * *
HDD BACKUP: PORTABLE USB DRIVE VERSUS MAGNETIC TAPE
Magnetic tape has fallen out of favour for PC backup, being replaced by
portable USB drives. Tape is subject to heavy wear by helical-scan technology,
and inexpensive helical-scan drive models are no longer manufactured.
Abandon the idea of using a SCSI (helical-scan) tape drive for HDD backup, and
use portable USB drives for backup instead.
The drive selected is: Western Digital My Passport Ultra 1 TB Portable External
Hard Drive, Black (WDBGPU0010BBK-NESN).
This device is being acquired separately from the PC build. The DDS-3 DAT drive
on the existing Windows XP PC has just died. The plan is to switch to using a
portable USB drive to backup the Windows XP PC HDD, until the new Linux PC is
fully operational.
* * *
* * *
BOOT SETUP, HDD PARTITIONING AND OS INSTALLATION
GTALUG advice is that I should undertake personally, installation of debian
Linux on the new PC. This will ensure a satisfactory Linux setup and also
develop vital knowledge to assist recovery in case of future problems.
The plan is to do the Linux installation after the PC is received from the
builder. This will include not only installing debian Linux from ISO DVD, but
also making changes to the boot firmware setup on the ASRock Z97 Extreme6
motherboard.
The PC builder will be required to install the Windows 7 into a dedicated GPT
partition of e.g. 80 GB. So hopefully, the work done to install debian Linux,
will not disturb the partition containing the original Windows 7 installation
done by the builder.
* * *
* * *
Plan is still to try to find a commercial builder, without conceding any
variations in components as specified. Otherwise will consider building myself,
with kind help from GTALUG.
Will report back on responses from commercial builders.
Best Regards and Thanks !!
Steve
ca.pcpartpicker.com -- win7_PC_business_24_7_duty_bare_v2 - summary - Steve_Petrie - 20160811.pdf
Description: Adobe PDF document
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