Karl's HARDWARE page!


I have 6 systems. One is my game machine (machine #1). One is my DVD/image capture(machine #2), one is
my "backup game machine" and burner (machine #3), #4 is a backup burner/bench testing machine and #5 is for nothing at all. Using it at work.
Machine #6 is my Sony Vaio 818 notebook. See below for specs on all machines.

Below is probably entirely to much info about my systems but for those curious about what I am running,
here you go! I have also included a pic of my setup.


COOLING TIP!
I have received a few questions about cooling. People seem to think more fans is better. This
is not always true. Whats most important is the placement of your ribbon cables. Ribbon cables
can restrict the flow of air from the front cooling fan. This fan usually blow across the installed cards
in the case including your video and sound which can generate quite a bit of heat themselves.
Also, it is usually more efficient to have exhaust fans rather then input fans. A single input fan and dual
exhaust fans are usually best (most efficient). In most cases, a dead spot exists around the lower
PCI/ISA slots or CPU area (some power supplies have wide open cases which help this problem)
which can usually be eliminated by installing an expansion slot exhaust fan in one of the rear slots
in the case (if your lucky enough to have one free)! Bigger CPU fans or heatsinks won't do shit if you
can't exhaust the hot air from the case. Try to create an air flow of one direction from lower front to
upper rear and out. My Intel Pentium III 800 coppermine CPU under stress runs at a cool 85 - 87 degrees F
(under normal operating conditions runs at around 81 - 83 degrees F). My Intel Pentium III 450 under
stress runs at a cool 83 - 85 degress F (under normal operating conditions runs at around 80 - 83 degress F).
This is NOT overclocked!

I am using a D-LINK DSH-5 10/100 5 Port Network Hub.
I am using a LinkSYS BEFSR41 4 port 10/100 Gateway/Router to share cable modem.
I am using a D-LINK DSB-H4 USB 4 Port Self Powered Hub.
For my printing needs I use an Epson 740 and a Samsung 4500 Laser.
Game Controllers: Gravis Digital Game Pad Pro. Logitech Wingman Extreme Digital.
..Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback Racing Wheel.


Computer #2,#3 and #4 use an ABCD switch to share monitor, keyboard and mouse.



Left to right: Full Tower, Machine #2. Half Tower Racing/Driving Game/Writer Machine #3.
Mid-Tower Gamer Machine #1 and #4 to the right of #1. Left monitor, Acer. Right Monitor, Viewmate.



I am using a dual cpu cooling fan on the Pentium-III 450. Here is a pic of the P-III fan.



Check out the full line of Tennmax fans, and to order, goto their web page.

I replaced all Intels Celeron "2 wire fans" with "3 wire fans" to enable PC Health Monitoring. Cheap ass
Intel couldn't spend another buck to include a 3 wire fan!



My Main Game Machine (#1)!


My DVD/Image Capture Machine (#2)!


Backup Game and Burner! (#3)!


Backup Burner/Benchin' Machine (#4)!



I use this one at work. (#5)!


  • I am using the nVIDIA Detonator 3.0 drivers on all my cards with nVIDIA chips (Diamond 550, Vision Tek Geforce2 mx,
    Aopen Vanta and Kaser TNT2 M64).


    My Notebook! (#5)!