The Official PC building thread!

1GB is only the norm for gaming ready systems. 512 is common for not so gaming systems, 256 is the most common still, as used in basic systems. I'd think 512 is ok if games aren't the order of the day.

 

I've noticed that a lot of GPU's for sale will say Saphire ATI X1800 XT or ASUS ATI X1800 XT or MSI ATI X1800 XT. There are also the ones that are just from ATI and not an afiliate company of ATI (ATI X1800 XT). The ones from ASUS and MSI are much cheaper (in price) than the ones from ATI, is there a difference?

Thanks

 

This ties in with the history of graphics cards somewhat.

previously, ATi have made the main Chips (R520 in your case) and the rough board designs, but left the board manufacture to developers.
They've put out a small number of boards themselves, but generally companies like Asus, Connect3D, Gecube, HIS, MSI, Powercolor and Sapphire produce the cards.
The All-in-Wonder cards (the more expensive and also slower versions, but ones that have bucketloads of video manipulating facilities) are only produced by ATi themselves.

With the X1800 and X1900 series, the standard cards (not super-duper cooled ones) are all produced by ATi but badged by the manufacturers, so unless there's one with particular software you want, go for the cheapest one, they're all the same. If you're after some sort of higher range cooled one (which I'd recommend, in a hot environment X1800s and X1900s can get noisy) then maybe go for the HIS ICEQ3 series. There's no one brand that will seriously outperform another, so unless there's a good special offer or games deal on one of them, go with either the cheapest or the quietest.

 

great now we have two PC threads going first time i have seen this one ,good reading

 

Yeah, interesting stuff comes out of these two threads.

 

@sammorris or anyone that knows the answer--- a page ago, we discussed the benefits of Windows Media center vs. XP Pro because you said

Does this hold true for Opterons also? Will I have to buy new OS for my new build that we discussed on the other thread thats currently a flame war?

 

You don't HAVE two, but Home will only recognise one of your cores, so it's a good idea.

 

Tis what I was afraid of. If I order now, it should arrive here only a day or 2 after the rest.I guess I need an update because I didnt realize at the time. Looking back, all the little bells and whistles added should have been used for the new OS.

 

That thread was trashed by an unfair act from a personal vendetta. I'm saddened and disgusted. But nevertheless, life goes on.

 

I agree.
On the topic without trying to stretch things into multiple threads, what exactly is locked by XP home? Are there any links to explanations/ Microsoft FAQ's? Sorry if it was posted and I missed it before.

 

Deadrum33, looks like iam going to need XP Pro also for my AMD Opteron 175 Demark so if you find a good deal on XP Pro pass it on to me please or since we have XP home is there just an upgrade we can buy?? or do we have to buy a whole new OS ?

the Intel vs AMD thread should reopen in a few days or so the way it looks i just hope brobear comes back

 

Absolutely, I don't wish to dwell on it (though I still maintain I disagree about it). Who else was banned btw? (PM if possible, this is a PC thread)
AA: I don't think you'll be likely to see brobear back on AD. He's made his decision.
As for XP, there are sites that detail exactly what the differences are between each version.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/choosing2.mspx
http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/wxpdifs.html

 

___Thanks for links Sammorris___I looked at 5 different websites and Xp Pro and Media center are either $129 or $139 depending where you look. I think I might go to the Best Buy near me and get rebate points on my purchases since I dont think there is much of a price difference on Windows no matter where you shop. I was all excited when I seen a cover offer of Tiger Direct catalog for $89 but that was Home.
__aabbccdd___ If I find anything else I will pass it on, and to reply to your last question to me B4 the other thread closed, you asked about the PSU. I'm ready for the barrage of "you buy the best system but dont get a name brand PSU" posts it is an XCLIO 500W modular PSU. I stumbled across a deal and when I researched I found a few websites that benched this product.
http://www.xclio.com/product_b_03.php
and a quote from a similar product, the 550 not 500W from this page
http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/reviews/cases/Meridian_XClio_550BL_1.html

I dont think I made that bad of decision.

 

They're good. Very good.

 

Absolutely. I can almost believe that figure about the threads, I was gobsmacked by the fact I'd posted 2300 messages! Seems after the demise of the other thread this is now THE thread to be in. Kind of good because it was looking a bit abandoned for a while.

 

Creaky___ i wouldnt call my PSU a monster but seems like quality for the price, may be a name brand to look for in the future with other products that meet your specific needs. I will find out Monday when all equipment arrives, I checked the tracking and everything is 10 minutes away, just no delivery on weekends