[CLUE-Tech] performance issues with audio / ripping

[Dave Price]

I am having some issues with audio / ripping performance on an Intel
debian system.

CPU: p-2/300
RAM: 256 MB
Sound card: SB-Live (modules compiled from creative's open source
	drivers)
XFree86: v4, with blackbox window manager and minimal theme.

Symptoms:  When ripping and encoding with Grip (cda2wav and gogo),
the desktop becomes nearly unusable - mouse pointer hops all over the
screen and appears to issue 'bogus' clicks whenever it is moved.

It is impossible to play mp3files while ripping is in process, dropouts
are nearly constant even with mpg123 (command-line player)

Under lighter load, mpg123 usually works okay, although i do get slight
dropouts when switching between desktops or windows.

Question: I have seen mention of some possible PCI buss issues that may
be responsible for this... can anyone shed some light on what to look
for? (The video card is a Number-Nine 'Revolution IV' AGP card.)

Would trying another sound card be worthwhile?

Interesting note: Even while ripping / encoding, I can play mp3 files
off the same drive that the ripper is using across a network connection
via samba on windoze laptop with literally NO dropouts observed.

Any other suggestions?

aloha,
dave