Very Computer

If this machine has "enough" RAM (64MB I guess?), will it be enough to:

Browse www
Java (basic text mode programs, how long it takes to compile)
MP3-playing
Audio editing (again, nothing fancy, basic stuff, run trackers if there
are any for Alpha)

This machine would have Trio64 or Matrox Millenium 1 in 16-bit
mode. Obviously I don't except much from it. Any comments, or
advices? Other machine I'm looking for is XL300 (96MB, 4.3GB), but Multia
is of course much cheaper :) Multia seems to run pretty hot, does it have
any kind of power saving features and for how long it can be turned on? It
would be a pretty good firewall.

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Mine worked plenty fine for web browsing. 16 MB RAM was a major limiting
factor but when I upgraded to 48 MB, it was as fast as any other machine on
the network.

Quote:> Java (basic text mode programs, how long it takes to compile)

No idea. My text-based Java programs have never taken significant time to
compile on any machine.

Quote:> MP3-playing

Under NT4, with 16 MB of RAM and the 166 MHz version of the Multia, I was
able to play MP3s using the Microsoft Media Player. WinAmp required too much
processor power. Being stuck as I am in the install on Linux, I can't give a
solid comparison yet but it should be more than capable.

Quote:> Other machine I'm looking for is XL300 (96MB, 4.3GB), but Multia
> is of course much cheaper :)

The Multia is really the most basic system I'd consider these days. If you
can at all spare the money for the XL300, you'll be happier later on.

Quote:> Multia seems to run pretty hot, does it have any kind of power saving features
> and for how long it can be turned on?

The Alpha runs hot. When it is its little bookend stand, the processor is
right by the top with a fan pulling air over it. This adds to the perception
that it runs hot (it blows very hot air out the top) but mine has run for
months at a time without any negative effects and the temperature in my room
ranges from 75-85F.

I was concerned about how much it was heating me (it caused my room to be
warm at night; it does generate a lot of heat) so it now lives in the
kitchen. The computer never caught on fire or had any kind of failure so I'm
fairly certain that I was the only thing bothered by the heat.

Quote:> It would be a pretty good firewall.

Mine will be the new database server when I get RedHat installed. The
firewall is a 486, so I think the Multia could definitely handle that and
more.

-Derek

I keep mine on a horizontal position, like any deskotop box, but the
system box is open. I might also add some cooling, or even underclock it
to 166, if it helps to cool it down.

Quote:>kitchen. The computer never caught on fire or had any kind of failure so I'm
>fairly certain that I was the only thing bothered by the heat.

Well, CPU and the power supply run so hot that I barely dare to touch
them. I once actually had a computer that caught fire (SVI-728, a MSX
compatible), well not exactly fire, but smoke came out of it ;) But it
seems that people have used Multia as a server, running 24H/day, so it
should not be a problem..

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I'd recommend keeping the lid on. Considering how they've lined the fan up
internally, it's pretty obvious that the case is used to pull the air flow
directly through the fins of the heatsink.

Quote:> Well, CPU and the power supply run so hot that I barely dare to touch
> them.

That's happened to me. I've burned my foot when it got too close to the
machine.

-Derek

Quote:> I keep mine on a horizontal position, like any deskotop box, but the
> system box is open. I might also add some cooling, or even underclock it

.
.
.

A Multia/UDB is only happy when it is in the proper vertical position
(preferably in its stand) with the lid on.  There are hot components on
the underside of the motherboard that get _no_ cooling when the box is
sitting flat.  Mount it on its side, fan blowing out the top, with the
bottom vents unobstructed.  If you don't have the stand, jury rig something
but leave the bottom vents clear.  You can replace the fan with a more
powerful unit (sorry, no P/Ns here but check dejanews), you can clip one
of the wires leading to the thermistor (which controls the speed of the
fan; with the thermistor out of the circuit the fan runs at max), you can
mount fans in the stand blowing up, etc.  That chip on the bottom that
overheats is the main cause of heat-killed Multias.

Rich Jordan

Is it possible to attach 486 heatsink to this chip?

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Quote:>> That chip on the bottom that overheats is the main cause of heat-
>> killed Multias.
> Is it possible to attach 486 heatsink to this chip?

Not without heavy mods to the case, if I'm remembering correctly (my
UDBs are at home).  There is a lip in the bottom of the case that would
severely limit the height of any heat sink that could slide in; you might
need to cut the lip.  Also, the chip is not anything like square or 486-
sized.  The one thing I saw that seemed like it would work (with great
care) was a copper strip attached to the bottom of the case and bent up
(think like a flat spring) so it pressed against the chip when the MB was
full inserted; it would be a bear to make precise enough that it had
full/solid contact with the chip and no sharp edges to catch underside
components as the board is slid in or out.  Otherwise a cut could be
made in the case lip to allow a chip-attached heat sink to slide in
and out.  Last (I got an email from someone who did this) cut a hole i
in the bottom of the case and a corresponding holed in the vertical
stand, mount a fan in the stand blowing into the case and at the
chip.

I'm still satisfied with running in the vertical stand with the normal
fan with the thermistor cut, but my place is air conditioned and does
not get hot.  I have one stand with fans in the base blowing up, and
it did help noticeably the one time our A/C was out last summer...

Rich Jordan

Yeah, I saw it, but

Quote:>need to cut the lip.  Also, the chip is not anything like square or 486-
>sized.  The one thing I saw that seemed like it would work (with great

the heatsink I have is pretty small, something like 4mm height. It seemed
that it could fit. But which one is the chip we are talking about? There
are of course many one them :)

Quote:>care) was a copper strip attached to the bottom of the case and bent up
>(think like a flat spring) so it pressed against the chip when the MB was
>full inserted; it would be a bear to make precise enough that it had

This might work, thanks.

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Quote:>>  Also, the chip is not anything like square or 486-sized.

> the heatsink I have is pretty small, something like 4mm height. It seemed
> that it could fit. But which one is the chip we are talking about? There
> are of course many one them :)

Again, not being near a UDB right now I won't even hazard a guess about a
4mm heat sink fitting.  The best info source on the problem chip is the
Multia FAQ at the NetBSD site (www.netbsd.org/Ports/alpha/multiafaq.html),
has the chip number, replacement instructions, etc.  I haven't tried to
replace mine (both boxes still run fine).  Good luck if you decide to
try some hardware hacking.

Rich Jordan