CompuServe Thread

>> For something like this, which is of interest to various people, >> go ahead and give the price. Unless you are going to start >> selling them <g>. I couldn't sell ice cubes in hell, probably <g>. But OK, you get kicked off if this is wrong <g>. ————————————————– Anyway the Bit3 Model 2101 PCI Expansion Unit with 7 PCI expansion slots 250 watt power supply 3 3.5" expansion bays 2 5.25" expansion bays PCI cards for the host and Expansion Unit with up to 4' cable $895 is the price listed for the 2101. P.S. As mentioned, I am wondering if any PCI card can be used, i.e. DPS PVR and DPS audio cards.

>> I think that means PCI-PCI Bridge, which means Neptune2 >> or Triton chipsets. OK, that sounds very logical. It just seemed like they used techno-babble rather than a clear statement of facts. I asked them for clarification (not to imply that I doubt what you say). The Applications they listed for the Expansion Unit are: Printer servers fax servers data acquisition PCI card mfg. check out/burn-in —— But perhaps I have become overly picky from past experience <g>.

Tim… You seem to be a pretty "techie" guy so I'll ask a dumb question. Are there any Pentium motherboards made out there that would accept a CPU which is mounted in a slot? In other words, no CPU on the main board. A board like that might solve a lot of problems with cards like the PVR. OK, shake your head and laugh now <BG>! \\\. ========================= >-==<MIKE(>=– >-==*- /

>> The expansion unit should allow you to use any PCI card >> as if it was in your computer. Quoting from a Bit3 reply: For the time being, the best motherboard we have seen is the Intel Zappa. Our tests as well as other companies' tests show the Zappa has Bridge Awareness to at least as many levels as necessary to make our PCI Expansion Unit work. Plus it uses the Triton PCI controller I/C that is the best and fastest of the PCI controller chips that Intel has released so far. We found in Computer Shopper a company called TC Computers listing Intel motherboards for sale. Their phone # is 800-723-8282. We cannot, or course endorse this company as a recommended source to purchase the Zappa motherboards. you might want to call them to price compare against your preferred source of the Zappa card. ————————————————————– Since there has been discussion of the Zappa motherboard here, it seems to be a motherboard that is well thought of.

>> info@bit3.com << >>>> Could you also post a phone number please? Thanks. Ok, I could have done that earlier if I had been awake <g>. Here is the the info about the company that makes the 2101 PCI expansion box. ——————————— Bit3 Computer Corporation 8120 Penn Avenue South Minneapolis, Minnesota 55431-1393 Tel. 612.881.6955 FAX 612.881.9674 Internet: info@bit3.com ——————————- If you get one, I hope you will post your good/bad experiences here. I am not nearly ready to buy.