Well, I'm currently running a homebuilt media center PC, it's running XP media edition and uses your average ATX form factor.
Now, my mother wants a PC, so I'm using my old parts for her non-gaming rig, an x800pro, my MoBo, my X2 3800, and my 100gb HDD.
I need to upgrade those things, and there are so many new technologies that are just getting released, and I don't feel like spending hours and hours on Howstuffworks and Google
CPU - I have a few choices here, I think a single core processor would be better for me, but I do run Itunes, Adobe, Firefox, and even conversion software at the same time a lot. I have a dual core right now, and for the price, I'm not seeing any benefits as of yet. I know windows doesn't take advantage of dual cores right now, but will Vista really change that?
So, I have a budget of app. $300 for my new CPU. Which CPU do you think is best for me? (note: I'll be playing crysis with this one)
GPU - I think I'll wait for DX10 on this one, how long untill ATI releases a DX10 video card? mid-2007 I would guess, a few months after Vista. And, do you think DX10 is necessary, how long before it becomes a mandatory performance standard?
HDD
I'll be getting a Sata drive, my question is whether to get RAID. I don't think I want it, I don't have any extremely important files (just gamesaves and school reports, nothing that isn't recreatable) and I gave never had a problem with speed, 7,200 RPM with a 4mb buffer is great in my book!!! But, do you think my performance would get so much better to justify going through all that trouble, and work?
MoBo
I think ATX will suffice, I'm not an OCer, and BTX doesn't seem to have that many advantages other than Cooling. (my case has excellent fans, CPU and ATI running at 30 degrees peak)
Is BTX worth getting a new case?
Are there any good deals on BTX MoBo, or should I stay with ATX?
OS
Do you think Vista will have enough problems at launch to make me wait longer for it (to avoid bugs) or do you think just buying it at launch will be good, and bug-free enough for normal use?
It matters because I don't want to go through two OS installs, it is undoubtedly my least favorite part of building my computer. Media Center Installation gave me so many problems!!! (2 months of on and off work just for the OS, I couldn't buy a new copy though, I'm cheap)
RAM
Once again, I'm not on overclocker, so I have some Geil Value Series RAM. A 1 gb stick to be exact, and I just wondered what I had to do for dual channel.... Just buy another and it automatically goes in dual channel once I put them in the same color slots?
Ok, well that's my first post, thanks for the help, and/or comments.
Now, my mother wants a PC, so I'm using my old parts for her non-gaming rig, an x800pro, my MoBo, my X2 3800, and my 100gb HDD.
I need to upgrade those things, and there are so many new technologies that are just getting released, and I don't feel like spending hours and hours on Howstuffworks and Google
CPU - I have a few choices here, I think a single core processor would be better for me, but I do run Itunes, Adobe, Firefox, and even conversion software at the same time a lot. I have a dual core right now, and for the price, I'm not seeing any benefits as of yet. I know windows doesn't take advantage of dual cores right now, but will Vista really change that?
So, I have a budget of app. $300 for my new CPU. Which CPU do you think is best for me? (note: I'll be playing crysis with this one)
GPU - I think I'll wait for DX10 on this one, how long untill ATI releases a DX10 video card? mid-2007 I would guess, a few months after Vista. And, do you think DX10 is necessary, how long before it becomes a mandatory performance standard?
HDD
I'll be getting a Sata drive, my question is whether to get RAID. I don't think I want it, I don't have any extremely important files (just gamesaves and school reports, nothing that isn't recreatable) and I gave never had a problem with speed, 7,200 RPM with a 4mb buffer is great in my book!!! But, do you think my performance would get so much better to justify going through all that trouble, and work?
MoBo
I think ATX will suffice, I'm not an OCer, and BTX doesn't seem to have that many advantages other than Cooling. (my case has excellent fans, CPU and ATI running at 30 degrees peak)
Is BTX worth getting a new case?
Are there any good deals on BTX MoBo, or should I stay with ATX?
OS
Do you think Vista will have enough problems at launch to make me wait longer for it (to avoid bugs) or do you think just buying it at launch will be good, and bug-free enough for normal use?
It matters because I don't want to go through two OS installs, it is undoubtedly my least favorite part of building my computer. Media Center Installation gave me so many problems!!! (2 months of on and off work just for the OS, I couldn't buy a new copy though, I'm cheap)
RAM
Once again, I'm not on overclocker, so I have some Geil Value Series RAM. A 1 gb stick to be exact, and I just wondered what I had to do for dual channel.... Just buy another and it automatically goes in dual channel once I put them in the same color slots?
Ok, well that's my first post, thanks for the help, and/or comments.