RE: FPGA for PCI based servo control board

["Craig Edwards" <cedwards-at-ceinetworks.com>]

Robin,

Not to belabor the point here, as I think it really doesn't matter...  but
the VIA boards that I've used cost my firm around $81 USD, including a
800MHz C3 processor (admittedly wholesale).  I should have not said......
"you won't beat the price"....as someone ALWAYS will...:)   But at least in
the US, there is no significant price penalty for this format. Yes I think
you could  source an ATX MB with a C3 for SLIGHTLY less, but not much.
Using a simple price check bot (my favorite is http://www.pricewatch.com./)
I was able to turn up lots of retail places (in the US) the sell the same
board for around $90 USD. One example... was
http://www.essencompu.com/nupplysingar.asp?ID=3448  (never used them...so
please don't treat this as an endorsement)

As far as footprint is concerned, the only reason I thought small might of
interest to some is because they are interested in packaging the MB with
breakout board and drives inside of a single enclosure.  The smaller outline
makes for easier integration, especially if you want to package it all up in
a NEMA rated box.

No doubt your experiences / needs / (and sourcing options....) differ from
mine....always a problem on global lists such as this.  

Craig

-----Original Message-----
From: emc-at-nist.gov [emc-at-nist.gov] On Behalf Of Robin Szemeti
Sent: Friday, April 04, 2003 12:55 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: Re: FPGA for PCI based servo control board



On Friday 04 April 2003 17:59, Craig Edwards wrote:

> BTW, I've used those mini-ITX boards, it's a great format.... And no 
> you won't beat the price....:)

Then you need to research your prices more carefully.

from linitx.com

Mini ITX case 64 GBP (95 USD) ...
Via EPA 8000 mini-itx mobo, 1 Ghz  128GBP (190) USD)

I can get comaprable items at HALF that price in standard ATX format ..
whats 
the big deal about making it small?  .. sorry, but the logic has escaped me 
somewhere along the line .. 

remind me again .. ther reason we need to spend more money on buying a PC in

a smaller-than-standard footprint is ..... ???  Sure .. theyre small .. but 
why did we need them to be small again? and why is the smallness worht the 
extra money over a standard case/mobo again? 

My workshop is 15m by 10m ... the day I dont have room for a standard PC
case 
is the day I get a bigger workshop.

-- 
Robin Szemeti