GSBUG Hardware Info SIG

1. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG November 14, 2002

2. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Agenda – November 14, 2002 • 7:00 – 7:05 Administration • 7:05 – 8:15 Featured Topic – Your New System: Sourcing Your Components • 8:15 – 8:30 Hardware News • 8:30 – 8:55 Random Access (Q&A) • 8:55 – 9:00 Recap, Preview, and Close

3. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Administration • Welcome! 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…)

4. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Administration (continued): • Presentation materials will be posted at: http://gsbug.apcug.org/hwinfosig.htm • Prior presentation materials are also posted.

5. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Your New System: Sourcing Your Components • Givens (from the last meeting) • You have established your “budget”. • You have developed and “finalized” your system spec, i.e., you have defined a set of minimums: • Acceptable key components – as applicable, the CPU, RAM type, chipset, graphics solution, and monitor type • Acceptable other components – balance of the components needed to complete your system.

6. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Your New System: Sourcing… (continued) • The Process • “Make or Buy” decision • Define acceptable suppliers (type/issues) • Locate suppliers • Evaluate offerings • Make the purchases • Track, receive, inventory, and TEST.

7. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Your New System: Sourcing… (continued) • “Make or Buy” decision • IF you are willing to consider “foregoing the experience” of building your own system, you have the established budget and spec with which to evaluate buying a pre-built system. • Possible advantages of buying pre-built • System-level warranty and support • Technical expertise (assumed) • Cost may be lower

8. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Your New System: Sourcing… (continued) • “Make or Buy” decision (continued) • Possible disadvantages of buying pre-built • Unknown components (salesperson may not know or be willing to disclose, and/or the product may vary due to available inventory) – brand, model, OEM variations • Delays in getting problem resolved – shipping, onsite scheduling • Unwillingness to attempt to resolve problems over the phone without OS reload (restore to original software load). • If “Buy”, many of the steps that follow will still be applicable.

9. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Your New System: Sourcing… (continued) • Define acceptable suppliers (type/issues) • Local store • “Local” (subject to small claims filing) • Face-to-face – see who you’re dealing with • Chance to see their “shop” • Chance to negotiate • BBB records • References • Available products - box vs. tray, bulk vs. retail • “Cash discount”, sales tax • Warranty/service – in store, “manufacturer’s”, on-site (system)

10. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Your New System: Sourcing… (continued) • Define acceptable suppliers (type/issues)(cont.) • Local computer “shows” (swap meets) • “Local” vendors? All may not be local. Need to check. • Face-to-face - see who you’re dealing with • Would require a separate trip to see their “shop” • Chance to negotiate • BBB records – only if you call from the show (delay) • References – less time to pursue (delay) • Available products - box vs. tray, bulk vs. retail • “Cash discount”; sales tax; different price after show • Warranty/service - in store, “manufacturer’s”, on-site (system)

11. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Your New System: Sourcing… (continued) • Define acceptable suppliers (type/issues)(cont.) • Web • “Local” vendors? Need to check. • No “face-to-face” • Would require a separate trip to see their “shop” • No chance to negotiate; different price for non-web orders • BBB records – still possible • References – still possible • Available products - box vs. tray, bulk vs. “retail”. Need to check. • Shipping (and handling) cost, no cash discount, sales tax (still) • Warranty/service – site’s, “manufacturer’s”, on-site (system)

12. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Your New System: Sourcing… (continued) • Define acceptable suppliers (type/issues)(cont.) • All sources – other issues • Returns policy • No returns – CPU, RAM, hard drives, software • X or XX days • Restocking fee • DOA vs. defect (if defect, the replacement may NOT be new) • Order cancellation policy • Credit card processing procedures – when charged; funds “reservation” • READ the fine print!!!

13. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Your New System: Sourcing… (continued) • Locate suppliers • Local store • Yellow pages • Local computer “rag” • Saturday paper (LA Times sports section) • Word of mouth/referrals.

14. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Your New System: Sourcing… (continued) • Locate suppliers (continued) • Local computer shows • Web sites for the major shows • http://www.lacomputerfair.com/CFPages/schedule.html • http://www.megashow.com/computer/schedule.html • http://www.acpsuperstore.com/ • Local computer “rag” • Saturday paper (LA Times sports section) • Flyers – “sign posts” • Word of mouth/referrals.

15. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Your New System: Sourcing… (continued) • Locate suppliers (continued) • Web (specific brands) • Manufacturer’s site (direct sales; retail model listing; retailer links) • Compaq/HP • Dell • IBM • Hundreds of others • Web (specific retailers) • Sites for major retail chains – Best Buy, CompUSA, Circuit City, Fry’s (outpost.com), Micro Center, Office Depot, Staples

16. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Your New System: Sourcing… (continued) • Locate suppliers (continued) • Web (price engines) • http://www.pricewatch.com • http://www.pricegrabber.com • http://shopper.cnet.com • http://www.pricescan.com • http://www.streetprices.com • http://www.sharkyextreme.com

17. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Your New System: Sourcing… (continued) • Evaluate offerings (TOTAL “cost” view) • Match or exceed your spec? • Within budget? • Match your criteria for an acceptable supplier? • Acceptable warranty and support? • Acceptable returns policy? • List known negatives, if any, for each purchase • Go back for more? • Bottom line – make a decision!

18. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Your New System: Sourcing… (continued) • Make the purchases • Prefer credit card purchase over any form of “cash” – credit card “charge-back” ability is GOLD! Credit card company/bank will typically NOT play lawyer once merchandise has been returned (POD). • Attempt to get the product warranty and support terms spelled out on the invoice; if web order, print the associated spec, pricing, and “terms” pages • Invoice MUST have the supplier’s name, address, and phone number PRE-printed (attach a business card); note salesperson’s name (in full)

19. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Your New System: Sourcing… (continued) • Make the purchases (continued) • Understand and document the “order cancellation policy” and credit card processing “procedures” • Understand and document the “returns policy” • If web, print out the order confirmation; note tracking site/info • Try to schedule the purchases such that the hardware is received about the same time – need to test the pieces together (avoid being unable to return for credit because of lapse of time).

20. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Your New System: Sourcing… (continued) • Track, receive, inventory, and TEST • If web, track the parts until received. If the shipment hasn’t departed the supplier by the second business day after purchase, contact the supplier by phone. • Inspect the exterior of the package BEFORE accepting it – if it shows substantial damage or if it doesn’t match what you ordered (as best you can tell), reject the shipment! • Once accepted, carefully unpack and check for the “retail”/manufacturer’s seal. If missing, so note and watch for indications that the product has been used or is OEM.

21. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Your New System: Sourcing… (continued) • Track, receive, inventory, and TEST (continued) • Inventory the contents – is everything there? Compare to the packing slip and any Bill of Material that may be on the side of a retail box. Immediately notify the supplier of any missing items. Good luck! • If it appears that anything has been used, you need to immediately decide whether to contact the vendor to get a replacement or to proceed. If you proceed, your chances of getting a replacement after that point are nil - unless defective.

22. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Your New System: Sourcing… (continued) • Track, receive, inventory, and TEST (continued) • Once you are satisfied everything is there and appears in good, functional condition, proceed to partial assembly and test. • Testing should ONLY be done with the components you will actually be using in the system. Anything else is a potential mismatch which can lead to false positives and/or false negatives. • If any component fails to function, is “noisy”, or otherwise evidences a defect, immediately contact the vendor.

23. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Your New System: Sourcing… (continued) • If you’ve gotten this far OK, you’re ready for next month’s presentation on initial system assembly.

24. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Hardware News • Processors • Intel released a 3.06GHz Pentium 4, first with Hyper-Threading Technology (HT) – line extension. Positioning HT as an advantage with multi-threaded applications (few products) AND when multi-tasking (wide ranging impact). Appropriately aware operating systems (XP and W2K) will now “see” and task two processors. • Intel released additional Xeon processor MP (server) models - 1.5GHz (1MB L3), 1.9GHz (1MB L3), and 2.0GHz (2MB L3); all with 256K L2 cache and 400MHz FSB – major line extensions. Intended for 4-way and up servers. Fastest lists for $3,692 (1000-unit quantities).

25. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Hardware News (continued) • Core Logic (chipsets) • ServerWorks announced the graphics Champion I/O Bridge (the CIOB-G2) – first workstation chip (I/O Bridge) from ServerWorks to support AGP 8X. • System RAM – nothing new • Motherboards • BIOS upgrades required to support Hyper-Threading. Many system housed will ship with HT DISABLED!

26. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Hardware News (continued) • Graphics processors & cards • 3Dlabs released the Wildcat VP560 and Wildcat4 7110 and 7210 video cards, the last two being the first in the new Windcat4 line (also the first 3Dlabs cards to support AGP 8X). The 7110 has 256MB RAM and the 7210 has 384MB RAM. The 7110 and 7210 are AGP Pro 50 cards. The VP560 is the new entry-level model in the Wildcat VP line with 64MB RAM. • ASUS and MSI released cards based on NVIDIA’s AGP 8X GPUs.

27. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Hardware News (continued) • Graphics processors & cards (continued) • ATI announced the RADEON 9500, RADEON 9500 PRO and RADEON 9700 VPUs and the RADEON 9500 PRO card. Partners announced cards based on a mix of the new chips. The 9500/9700 VPUs support AGP 8X. The RADEON 9500 PRO card (275MHz core and 540MHz memory clocks) includes 128MB, 128-bit RAM. The RADEON 9700 VPU has the same clocks as the 9500 PRO but supports 256-bit RAM. • Matrox announced a 256MB (workstation) version of its Parhelia video card; lists at $599.

28. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Hardware News (continued) • Graphics processors & cards (continued) • NVIDIA announced 4 “AGP 8X enabled” Quadro4 graphics solutions (chips) – 980 XGL, 580 XGL, 380 XGL, and 280 NVS. The 980 XGL is now their fastest GPU – claimed up to 40% improvement on one of the Viewperf 7.0 tests. PNY (in the US) has announced corresponding cards. • Hard Drives – nothing new

29. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Hardware News (continued) • Hard Drive Controllers • Adaptec announced 4 new Ultra320 SCSI RAID controllers (host bus adapter cards) – 39320D-R, 39320-R, 29320-R, and 29320LP-R. The first two are dual channel and the last two are single channel. Specs not yet posted. • Intel announced the 31244 SATA 4-channel controller (chip); expects adoption into motherboards in early ’03; first with SATA II features (see press release).

30. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Hardware News (continued) • Hard Drive Controllers (continued) • LSI Logic announced “MegaRAID SATA 150-x” SATA RAID cards – 2, 6, and 8-port versions, up to 64MB RAM, support for RAID 0/1/5, 32/66 and 64/66 PCI interfaces. • Other Drives • Pioneer announced the DVR-A05 DVD-R/RW with CD-R/RW combo drive - 4X DVD-R capability; ATAPI

31. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Hardware News (continued) • Other Drives (continued) • TDK announced the AI-5200 52x24x48 CD-RW drive, the AID-040212N 4x DVD+R/RW, -R/RW, CD-R/RW combo drive, and the AID+420N 4X DVD+R/RW drive; all ATAPI. The DVD drives are fully edit and author capable and will ship w/ Pinnacle’s Studio 8se software bundle. The 420N ships in December and the 040212N in January. • Sound processors & cards – nothing new • Modems & NICs – nothing new • Chassis & power supplies – nothing new

32. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Random Access (Q&A)

33. GSBUG Hardware Info SIG • Recap, Preview, and Close • Recap • Preview • Featured Topic for December 12, 2002 – Your New System: Setting Up/Installing Your Motherboard, CPU, and System RAM • Close (please police up the area)