How important is SPDIF?

[KalamataKid]

I am buiding a new PC

and was wondering if

I should specify SPDIF.

 

How important is it for

hard drives, CDRW, DVD ROM,

CD ROM and audio cards.

 

Below are the specs for my proposed PC.

 

1 GHz FC-PGA Pentim lll

 

512 MB PC133 SDRAM (non-ECC) use two 256 Mushkin single sided modules (high performance) Cas 2. Also may consider Crucial Technologies, Micron and NEC modules.

 

Midi Case Tower (Quite type) Enermax or equal (PC Power and Cooling brand?) 300 watt minimum power supply (120V/130V, 50/60) and proper and preferably low-noise type ventilation fans.

 

Software. Install Windows 98 SE

Each boot to have its own Windows 98SE.

 

Asus CUSL2-C Motherboard. Without the audio option.

 

Dual boot Use boot manager: XOSL or Partition Magic?

 

3ware Escalade 6200 PCI RAID card. Please also price the 6410 and 6400 (6400 is the full length card)

 

Hard Drives: IBM Deskstar 75GXP or the newer 60GXP? Convert to Fat 32.

Give me price for 20, 30, 45, 60 and 75 GB drives as the price will determine the HDD set up.

 

A. Using the 6200 implement RAID 0 on the two drives

1. Sample Streaming: 45 GB

2. Sample Streaming: 45 GB

 

Onboard ATA 100:

Primary Master: Programs, and audio and non-audio data: 45 GB

Secondary Master Connect the CDRW and DVD ROM

 

B. Using the 6410 (or 6400)

1. Programs, and non-audio data: 20 GB, Drives 1&2 RAID 0

2. Audio: 20 GB

3. Sample Streaming: 45 GB, Drives 3 &4 RAID 0

4. Sample Streaming: 45 GB

 

Onboard ATA 100:

Primary Master: Connect the CDRW

Secondary Master: DVD ROM

 

CD burning: Plextor PlexWriter 16/10/40A (PX-W1610A)

 

DVD Drive. With volume and Headphone jack. With SPDIF digital audio out (to sound card). cdrw and dvd to the same cable.

1. Pioneer DVD-116 or DVD-106S. What do you recommend?

2. Sony

3. Aopen 1640 has SPDIF

 

Video Card / Graphics Card: Matrox G450, 32 MB DDR

 

 

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