[jawfin]

Thats right peeps, i'm looking at upgrading

Now, i'ma software guy so not to strong on the hardware market; but my real concern if i get a kicking 64-bit processor (well quad processors) and install vista 64-bit , will i have problems running games; specifically JKA, Quake 3, Thief 3, Assassin's Creed, Sniper, Silent Service 4?

Yup, but for Quake 3 I like the sneak-em-ups FPS (first person sneaker!), even with JKA SP the first force power i always cultivate is mind-trick

So, thoughts? I don't really need hardware specs as much as operating system advice with respect to drivers etc - but hardware thoughts are welcome of course !

[Rugg]

make sure you get plenty of RAM and a decent graphics card. those should certainly help with everything


not sure on the whole Vista thing though..sorry

[Chantelle]

Ill admit I havent tried quake 3... BUT doesnt JKA run the same engine? so it might work! (JKA does)

Thief 3 again not tried it I think it does work. Might need a patch though.

If your using Direct X10 Assassins creed will run better!

In general the only games that haven't ran for me are really old ones.. I tried Thief 2.... For work pretty much every application at work we tried worked.. I had to get the latest version of a few things like vpn etc..


I would say depends on budget as what hardware to get but the exchange rate is so messed up day to day its hard to tell.


I would say get an OEM of vista (prob 32bit).... because.. windows 7 might be out end of this year and it does look like its going to be a big improvement.. even performs better and uses less resources.

[Melissa]

Id stick to the basics

core 2 duo Min

2-4GB Ram

Motherboard with PCI-E x16 (you might want two of these on) Look for Asus or Gigabyte boards

OEM Home premium.

[Grimm]

definitely try to get 4gb of ram, especially if ur getting 64bit vista.

[Melissa]

Given compatibility is a concern id definitely avoid 64 bit vista..

I think Id wait now until Windows 7 or Vienna or whatever its called.

[Grimm]

idk. compatibility is becoming less of an issue. since ive been using 64 bit, i have only come across 2 apps that havent worked on my machine

[saunby]

If I was gonna get 64, I'd be looking at 8GB ram anyways

[jawfin]

Hey guys, thanks for all the feedback

So, is there any advantage to 64bit Vista? And Grimm what where those apps if you remember?

Also, as I am a programmer and software support and delve in computer security and reverse engineering, I have literally about 1000 applications installed. I don't think i can run the chance on use Vista 64bit

[Grimm]

the 2 apps are small and not really essential. they are the one that flap found that helps with command entering and one called taskbar shuffle that lets u rearrange the taskbar windows.

i have quite a bit of software, but it sounds like u have much more. in that case, i dont know what to recommend to u.

im pretty sure my processor runs in both 64 and 32 bit simultaneously, those 2 apps didnt work because they are 32 bit programs that try to change how 64 bit windows works, and thats a big no no with windows. but other programs like CDBurnerXP, all of the adobe collection, skype, ares, itunes etc run in 32 bit within their own process, they dont try to change how windows runs.

if im wrong, chan or mel feel free to correct me

[Chantelle]

No I don't think you can run the risk as I knwo from work there are some apps which I need which just do not run

Windows 7 yes..

As for Vista well I have everything working on my station for work

I use all high securities too software wise

Active Directory tool
Cisco VPN
Vector Helpdesk server
Net support network remote controls
WAN line monitors

I know for a fact some of these dont work properly on 64bit.



Some programs can run in 32bit in the 64bit OS as you say Grimm, they are in X86 folder... some just cannot as they are not supported to work that way.

I cant remember if its the remote control software I use ot the VPN.. but something dont work... either way If I was on the road trying to connect to a server.. I would be stuck.

64bit for home is a maybe.. for work.. its a risk.

[jawfin]

O thanks guys

Well, my home is my work, i work from here (self-employed)

And I do develop applications that interface with other apps, sometimes at a fundamental level too; and of course my reverse engineering tools are nothing but interfering with other apps

Yup, so at least I know now; cheers everyone

and i intend to get a beast of a PC, bc its my work machine

[RaVeN]

I'm holding out from upgrading until there are more larger SSDs, the USB 3 release and also this:

http://i.gizmodo.com/5142623/samsung-me ... ram-sticks

[Grimm]

u better have some major cash raven, i bet that 32 module alone will be close to $2000.

[Chantelle]

it would be completely redundant on a home system..

Your talking datacenter and advanced multi virtulisation to come near the use of that for + 100 clients

a citrix server would enjoy that

SSd will come since the current crops reached its physical peak though.

The mechanic just cannot engineer anything better

Typical case of hardware market exceeding the software market. You can wait on a PC spec forever, as long as you get what you want and it does the job you want.

[Melissa]

That Ram would be the biggest waste of money.

90% would be redundant, you'd pay a fortune for it..

By the time anything near that would be needed, it would be cheaper and much faster..

The only need for Ram like that is in a large server.

[jawfin]

I've decided to build it myself, I found these self-help images to guide me so I don't expect to run into any difficulty.









Actually, here is the hardware I am getting

CPU: Q9400
M/B: ASUS P5Q Deluxe
HDD: Seagate SATA 1TB
RAM: 4GB Kit(2x2G)DDR2 1066 TEAM-XtreemDark
ODD: Samsung SATA DVDRW
G/C: 1gb ATI Radeon 4850
PSU: Coolmaster Extreme 550w
Case: I'll see what i like the look of

And don't fear, I can actually build a computer

[Aayci Warrick]

rofl, that's just funny I have to admit

and wow Jaw, that computer's going to be pretty "BA", I know it's a little early but you might want to consider a blu-ray player if you watch movies on your computer a lot

but yah, to be almost off topic, that 32gb of RAM might be 90% useless, but it's the idea that it'll open up the future of computers more so we can make our computers faster and run heavier and better programs and especially games

[Melissa]

Good specification

[jawfin]

I got all my bits today, now its time to start building

The case is a Coolmaster Elite RC-334, which is only a scratch above the cardboard box it came in

[Chantelle]

It should vent pretty well!

cheap cases vent awfully

Plus it looks smart. Was the Coolermaster expensive? what psu you get?

[jawfin]

Well, the case was $75 AUD, like 40 Euro? idk, maybe 55USD but i bought it very cheap, to compare my CPU was $363 AUD. it did come with a PSU, generic crap i bet (it sez on the box Standard ATX PS2), but i bought a special PSU Coolmaster Extreme 550Watt

I'll take a photo when its built if u like

[Chantelle]

I actually work in ££££s but they are up and down like a yoyo. probabaly £30

not bad price

yes take a picture please

[Melissa]

incidentally what OS did you go for?

[jawfin]

Vista 32bit to be safe. I use vmware and OllyDebugger and I'm sure a stack of other programs that 64bit just wouldn't like.