Back

Sound Card:

A sound card is needed for your computer to reproduce sound. These cards generally plug into a PCI slot, though older cards use ISA slots. They cost anywhere between $10-200, depending on many features: including the quality of sound, quadraphonic speaker support, and MIDI synthesis.  The quality of the MIDI generally determines how many MIDI sounds can be played simultaneously and how well the sounds emulate real instruments.  There are a variety of sound card manufacturers, but we recommend the sound cards made by Creative Labs, such as the Sound Blaster Live! Value.
/ \

 

Modem:

A modem is used to connect to the internet through traditional analog phone lines.  All modems sold today are 56K (are able to transfer up to 56 kilobits per second) and cost between $10-70.  Traditionally, they use a ISA slot, but newer cards use PCI slots. With the advent of the Intel 810 chipset, new modems using the AMR (Audio Modem Riser) slot have appeared on the market. More expensive models usually have the capabilities to be used like a speakerphone when you are not connected to the internet.  Virtually all modems can also be used to fax directly from your computer. We recommend all modems manufactured by 3Com and ZOOM.
/ \



Ethernet (Network) Adapter:

A network card could be needed for two reasons: if you need it to connect a broadband modem (see external parts) or if you would like to connect to a network of computers.   Most network cards sold today are capable of  transferring at 100Mbps, even though most internet connections never reach that speed.  Expect to spend between $15-70 for a network card, mostly depending on which brand you purchase.  However, some more expensive models do support wake on LAN (WOL), which allows your computer to be turned on remotely. We recommend network cards made by 3Com and Intel. 
/ \


TV Tuner Card:

A TV tuner card is needed if you would like to either watch TV on your computer, or capture video from an external source into your computer.  These cards are rather inexpensive, as they range from $40-$120.  Most models fit into a PCI Card, though newer models plug into a USB port. The more expensive models support stereo and/or FM radio. We recommend TV Tuners made by ATI. 
/ \

 

Additional Video Card (for multiple monitors):

If you would like to use more than one monitor on your computer, you will need a second video card.  The second video card must be PCI since all motherboards have one AGP slot.  See the required parts page for more details on selecting a video card.
/ \



DVD-ROM / CD-R(W) Drive:

CD-R or CD-RW drives are both used to burn information on to CD's, but CD-RW drives can also rewrite onto discs, while CD-R drives can not delete information once it has been burned.  This, and the fact that each disk holds between 650-700MB makes CD-RW drives an excellent choice for backing up files.  These drives has three speeds, one for its writing speed (when using CD-R discs), one for its rewrite speed (when using CD-RW discs), and one for its reading speed.    These drives cost anywhere between $200-350, depending on their speed. DVD-ROM drives ($100-150) may be used to read DVD-ROM discs, which hold about 8 GB of data, and play DVD movies. DVD decoder boards are also sold, to decode DVD movies. However, with today's processors, the decoding can be handled by the CPU and these boards are unnecessary. We recommend CD-RW drives made by HP and DVD-ROM drives by Creative
/ \



Removable Storage (Zip Drive):

For data that has to be updated more frequently than information stored on CD's, we recommend the use of a removable storage drive, such as the Zip Drive by Iomega, which holds 100MB or 250MB, depending on which model you buy.  The 100MB drive costs about $70-90, while the 250MB drive costs about $150-170.
/ \


Ensoniq Soundscape VIVO Sound Card

 

 

 

 

 


Viking V.90 PCI Modem

 

 

 

 

 


3Com 905b Network Card