Also, do consider what kind of sound equipment do you have. If you're going to use a couple of normal computer speakers, investing into a soundcard is not really recommended.
I'm leaning towards the 9600GTFWIW the BFG 9600GT OCX that I bought runs cool and makes next to no noise (which is why I bought it). Nice to know that it performs as advertised, though. If you're using the computer to listen to music you don't want fan racket.-nosh
About the RAM, if you're not going to overclock, you're just fine with plain DDR2 800, but be sure to follow mouser advice.-Lashiec (August 24, 2008, 07:24 PM)
And I try to go for extended warranties for RAM whenever possible, coz it not something that can be 'fixed'.-nosh (August 25, 2008, 04:35 AM)
Lashiec, wouldn't it make sense to try and go for a stick running faster than 800 MHz, guess what I'm asking is, what's the usual bottleneck on most newer systems. I know that's too loose a question but since most of you are running multi-core systems, where would you say your system bottlenecks, if that's a word.
Assuming a limited budget, which scenario would you go for?
Unless you absolutely need to buy a new PC quickly, I will advise you to wait.
A Core2Quad CPU + a mobo with DDR3 is going to be the main trend in no time.
Especially on the memory consideration, due to their socket design, a mobo can only support one of them, either DDR2 or DDR3 (not both). My main concern is all major mobo manufacturers are pushing out new ver of mobo on DDR3. Take a look at my dream mobo: Asus P5E3 WS Pro this guy is all there for I/O performance.-tslim (August 26, 2008, 03:15 AM)
remember those square little stickers on pcs that used to be all the rage.. we need some high quality cody stickers like that, saying something like "Cody Inside" :)Yes, yes and yes!!!-mouser (August 26, 2008, 06:17 PM)
we need some high quality cody stickers like that, saying something like "Cody Inside" :)-mouser (August 26, 2008, 06:17 PM)
Hmph! Judging by the state of my car this morning, I could use one that says "Cody Outside" >:(
I sometimes wonder about using two identical drives in a computer -
the chances could be that they might both give up around the same ?
maybe it just me imaging the worst possible scenario-tomos
Yep, the waiting game can be played infinitely, can't it?-nosh (August 26, 2008, 04:49 PM)
tslim, there are boards that support both DDR2 & DDR3 but I assume you meant they can't be run concurrently.Seriously, I never come across one. May be it is because I am too much a ASUS mobo fan, which make me seldom visit other sites for mobo.-nosh (August 26, 2008, 04:49 PM)
I restored the last (Acronis) image from the old system and miracle of miracles, XP started without a hitch-nosh
I restored the last (Acronis) image from the old system and miracle of miracles, XP started without a hitch, literally saving me weeks of grunt work - I was expecting to have to run a 'repair' at the very least coz of the mobo/CPU change, but the computer gods must be in a good mood!-nosh (August 28, 2008, 11:56 AM)
BTW, talking about the 4 GB purchase, are you using or planning to use a 64-bit OS?-Lashiec (August 28, 2008, 07:33 PM)
A first I dare to say :)Maybe coz I prayed so damn hard? :D
I'm going for a dual core CPU coz they have the highest GHz per core and I've read time and again right here on DC that most current apps just aren't designed to make use of multiple processors - the price differential between duo and quad is not that much, CPU power is the _last thing_ I'd compromise on esp. since it's been the biggest bottleneck on my system for years.-nosh (August 26, 2008, 04:49 PM)