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Date:      Thu, 9 May 1996 11:25:29 +0930 (CST)
From:      Michael Smith <msmith@atrad.adelaide.edu.au>
To:        b.j.smith@ieee.org
Cc:        questions@FreeBSD.ORG
Subject:   Re: New computer ... hardware choices ...
Message-ID:  <199605090155.LAA01271@genesis.atrad.adelaide.edu.au>
In-Reply-To: <199605081753.NAA19426@sundial.sundial.net> from "Bryan J. Smith, E.I." at May 7, 96 12:58:24 pm

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Bryan J. Smith, E.I. stands accused of saying:
> I'm building a new PCI system.  I'm worried about the 
> compatibility/performance issues with FreeBSD & Linux.
> 
> - I'm thinking of using a Cyrix 686 processor (any problems?) and 
> maybe even the future AMD/NexGen Nx686-180 (when it comes out).

Yah.  Unless there's a significant cost bonus, a Pentium will work just as
well.

> - Hard Drives / Controllers (this is long!)
> 
> I'm going to keep a Seagate ST-31200N (1.25GB SCSI-2 Fast) so I'll 
> definately need a SCSI-2 Controller (I'd like a Wide or Ultra-Wide, 
> but a plain SCSI-2 Fast Controller will do).  Does anyone have a 
> recommendation for a SCSI-2 controller than will work with FreeBSD 
> and Linux?  I know AdvanceSys has a SCSI-2 Fast HA for $99, and I've 

AdvanSys don't have a free driver. (Yet).  Don't get this one.

> heard of Buslogic having a UW for $250 (what model number though?).  

BT948.  It's OK, but not wonderful.

> What about the NCR 815/825 (I heard the 810 doesn't have BIOS 
> support).

The BIOS support for the NCR parts is in most PC BIOSses; this isn't really
an issue.  The NCR '810 parts are cheap and fast, but I'm not sure of the
quality of the Linux driver - the FreeBSD driver is excellent.

You've left out the best of the lot - the Adaptec 2940UW.

> Okay, if I go SCSI instead (and not use the EIDE channels), will the 
> SCSI BIOS allow me to boot from a cylinder higher than 1024?  What 

With the translations employed by SCSI controllers, 1024 cylinders is around
the 8GB mark.

> SCSI-2 drives do you recommend (Fast, Wide, UW)?  I'd prefer at a 
> 3.5" HH or LP (1") drive with 2-4GB capacity.  Also, anyone have any 

Price/performance tradeoff.  Seagate or Quantum are good choices.

> BRYAN J. SMITH, E.I.                    b.j.smith@ieee.org

-- 
]] Mike Smith, Software Engineer        msmith@atrad.adelaide.edu.au    [[
]] Genesis Software                     genesis@atrad.adelaide.edu.au   [[
]] High-speed data acquisition and      (GSM mobile) 0411-222-496       [[
]] realtime instrument control          (ph/fax)  +61-8-267-3039        [[
]] Collector of old Unix hardware.      "Where are your PEZ?" The Tick  [[



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