cheap sproggy parts source needed

drwho · 09-12-2003, 11:59 AM

Hi All,
I am working on a project converting about 30 m-gxm (media GX) boards. I am using these because they are very cheap and small, and the 233mhz CPU is enough for my needs.

What is interesting about these boards is they have connectors for AT and ATX power. I was originally planning on using the AT power connector so I don't have to worry about 3.3v, but it seems as though all the equipment here is ATX. The point of mentioning this, is I need to cut costs so if I can do so by switching to AT then I am all for it.

I h ave some, but not a lot, of electronics experience. I can handle a soldering iron no probem. Due to the amount of assembly work involved, I was looking for some cheap source of power supplies, but I can't spend more than $20. So I am back to building.

Does anyone know of a cheap source of the Maxim ICs for these various projects, the MAX765 and MAX787? Because I am doing a batch of supplies I don't think the free samples thing will work to well in that number of units. I've looked at suppliers with parts in http://www.findchips.com and I know that those prices from Newark and Digi-Key tend to be high. As I'd be ordering for more than one supply, I am hoping I could get a discount off of that type of price, and save on shipping as well.

Thanks,
Bob

shadowlessman · 09-12-2003, 08:29 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by drwho

Hi All,
I am working on a project converting about 30 m-gxm (media GX) boards. I am using these because they are very cheap and small, and the 233mhz CPU is enough for my needs.

What is interesting about these boards is they have connectors for AT and ATX power. I was originally planning on using the AT power connector so I don't have to worry about 3.3v, but it seems as though all the equipment here is ATX. The point of mentioning this, is I need to cut costs so if I can do so by switching to AT then I am all for it.

I h ave some, but not a lot, of electronics experience. I can handle a soldering iron no probem. Due to the amount of assembly work involved, I was looking for some cheap source of power supplies, but I can't spend more than $20. So I am back to building.

Does anyone know of a cheap source of the Maxim ICs for these various projects, the MAX765 and MAX787? Because I am doing a batch of supplies I don't think the free samples thing will work to well in that number of units. I've looked at suppliers with parts in http://www.findchips.com and I know that those prices from Newark and Digi-Key tend to be high. As I'd be ordering for more than one supply, I am hoping I could get a discount off of that type of price, and save on shipping as well.

Thanks,
Bob

Order samples directly from Maxim. That is what I did and they only took a week or so to get here. They only let you order one of each chip at a time, but I requested two in the comment field they give you and they sent me two. That should do it for you unless you want quite a few of the chips.

HTH

jol · 09-13-2003, 07:34 AM

buy them instead, samples are for those about to buy large amounts

shadowlessman · 09-13-2003, 07:59 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by jol

buy them instead, samples are for those about to buy large amounts

Maxim sent the IC's mentioned to me w/o question... I already have them. I made no indication of buying any anytime soon. The Wilco inductors OTOH, I don't know if you can get those as samples or not. I have ordered them, but I don't know where they are at the moment.

My final verdict:
Try ordering as samples first. If that doesn't work, well you're back to where you were before - buying the parts.

jol · 09-14-2003, 06:36 AM

I got all my missing parts as samples also, but it doesnt make it right. A company stopped sending samples since so many was requesting samples for their in-car mp3-players.

drwho · 09-14-2003, 08:47 PM

Like I said before, I am building a small batch of units so samples isn't the way to go. Also, Maxim has been pretty good about sending samples to hobbyist types for years and it would be wrong to abuse such a system. I've already sent in my one and final sample request for these parts.