THE COMPUTER THREAD

[jewishcarpenter]

What does windows 7 do to "fix" Vista? What exactly are your problems with it?

My only beef was that they took away the "go up one level" button in the explorer, but I got used to that eventually.

The only thing I know that is really wrong with Vista is the compatibility it has with a variety of machines. I tried out the 64-bit Ultimate version of Vista and it worked fine with my machine with only one noticeable hiccup while running it. I have heard however from different people with different machines (usually older pc) having problems with driver compatibility issues. I would hope Windows 7 is going the route of trying to rectify this huge problem. I can't imagine how many billions of dollars they've lost over Vista and can't really afford to lose more over Windows 7 while they've got Zune's crapping out and 360's with hardware issues.

[gbeenie]

>cracks knuckles<

Allrighty. My partner Laurie's computer died in March of last year, before she even moved back from Alabama. Since then, she's been hogging up mine. Now that her new computer is up and running, it's time to make with the stats:


Intel Core 2 Duo E7300 processor (FSB 1066 MHz; 3MB cache)
ASUS P5N73-AM Motherboard (can accommodate a Core 2 Quad chip later, when the prices come down)
4GB RAM (DDR2800)
GeForce 9400 video card (128-bit; 512MB DDR2 memory)
Wireless card
Western Digital 160GB SATA hard drive
Lite-On DVD-R/+R burner (because it came bundled with)
CoolerMaster 500-watt power supply
CoolerMaster Elite 340 mini-tower case (she didn't need a new case, but it was frankly easier than stripping all the stuff out of the old one)

Windows Vista Basic OS (mostly for budgetary reasons; there's no 64-bit version of XP Home, and I didn't want to spring for XP Pro. So far it works fine)
Samsung 19" LCD 1440x900 monitor (she didn't need a new monitor, but I can't say no, I guess)

[Thrifty]

I'm trying to accommodate SATA hard drives (impossible with my current mother board), more memory (currently 1 Gb), a better processor (currently Celeron 1.8 Ghz CPU) and a PCI-express.  Also I wanted a prettier case.  Right now I have this thing with a 480 Watt power supply.

Okay, so putting together the PC should be a piece of cake.  I know how to connect cabling inside the computer, finding compatible memory and add on cards.  Here's where I'm lost; how do I find a motherboard that I know will fit and work with my power supply?  I've only bought a case and power supply.  I've never installed a motherboard before.

Help me out here.

[RVR II]

You need to check out this thread..
http://forum.rifftrax.com/index.php/topic,4880.0.html

And visit this site..
http://www.pricewatch.com/public/

[MSTJedi]

Ooh, you're gonna have plenty of fun installing the processor in the motherboard your first time. I speak from experience. As for the size of the motherboard, it depends on what size of case it is. Since that perty little thing is mid-ATX, you need to find a motherboard that will fit a mid case. Also make sure that the power source is enough for whatever motherboard you get. As far as I know, 480W should be fine as long as you don't put a huge video card in the computer or anything. But the last time I upgraded was several years ago, so someone may know a little more about newer processors and whatnot.

[Thrifty]

Ooh, you're gonna have plenty of fun installing the processor in the motherboard your first time. I speak from experience. As for the size of the motherboard, it depends on what size of case it is. Since that perty little thing is mid-ATX, you need to find a motherboard that will fit a mid case. Also make sure that the power source is enough for whatever motherboard you get. As far as I know, 480W should be fine as long as you don't put a huge video card in the computer or anything. But the last time I upgraded was several years ago, so someone may know a little more about newer processors and whatnot.

I've plopped processors into motherboards before.  It's usually a pretty simple "lift the lever, plop it in the ZIF socket, lower the lever" affair.  Also, I'm going to buy a motherboard with a processor pre-installed.

[RVR II]

I would recommend upgrading Everything (processor, motherboard, & memory)

On Price Watch .com, some of the companies sell the combos already assembled and all you have to do is instal it in the case  

[Piobman]

If your processor comes separated from the heat sink/fan... then you may have to apply some special glue to it first. Just makes sure the prongs all line up and you should be good to go. If all this scares you, or you don't want to bother. I recommend just buying a barebone system at tigerdirect.com. You can pretty much custom build it with power supply etc. Make sure you get a good power supply. Most people skimp on that portion and pay for it later in the end (cheap ones can by noisy and fail often).

[MSTJedi]

I would recommend upgrading Everything (processor, motherboard, & memory)

On Price Watch .com, some of the companies sell the combos already assembled and all you have to do is instal it in the case  

I'm basically to the point with my system that I'd have to start over from scratch to catch up with a mid-level current system. So I'll probably just skip trying to do it on my own and go for a decent tower package . . . when I get the money to upgrade.

If your processor comes separated from the heat sink/fan... then you may have to apply some special glue to it first. Just makes sure the prongs all line up and you should be good to go.

Yep, that was my situation the last go-round. Lining everything up was a pain, but I eventually figured it out.

[RVR II]

By the way..
I have 2 complete towers for sale; both with Intel Celeron 2.5g processors, 1gig of DDR RAM, 80 gig hard drives completely wiped with valid licensed Windows XP Professional already reinstalled on them..
One is going for $250 (Silver case-has a CD Rom drive), the other for $300 (Black case-has a DVD burner)



I can install MS Office 2007 for $100 more (I paid for 10 license keys at $100 per license and have 4 left)

These are left over systems from my office that I no longer need so if anyone's interested, PM me

[gbeenie]

If you're going to change your motherboard, make sure you have the disc(s) for your OS on-hand, and back up anything on your main drive you don't want to lose. You're almost certainly going to have to reinstall.

[Thrifty]

Ooh, you're gonna have plenty of fun installing the processor in the motherboard your first time. I speak from experience. As for the size of the motherboard, it depends on what size of case it is. Since that perty little thing is mid-ATX, you need to find a motherboard that will fit a mid case. Also make sure that the power source is enough for whatever motherboard you get. As far as I know, 480W should be fine as long as you don't put a huge video card in the computer or anything. But the last time I upgraded was several years ago, so someone may know a little more about newer processors and whatnot.

I'm still a little foggy on the fits and form factors of motherboards.  This specification is a little more detailed.  Under "main board", it says "Standard ATX /  Baby AT / Micro ATX".

So here I did a search on Newegg for "CPU + Processor" and set the filters to Microatx.   So any of these motherboards will fit the case, based on the specifications?  Right?  I sure as shootin' don't want to buy something that doesn't fit.

[RVR II]

Well it says all 3 will fit..
If you have a mid tower case, then MicroATX (and even babyAT) Will Fit (mATX dimensions is 9.5" x 9.5" or 7.5") Standard ATX larger and May Not fit your case because of its Larger dimensions.

I use MicroATX in most of my machines and a couple of Standard ATX, and I don't notice any difference in performance between them..

[RVR II]

So here I did a search on Newegg for "CPU + Processor" and set the filters to Microatx.   So any of these motherboards will fit the case, based on the specifications?  Right?  I sure as shootin' don't want to buy something that doesn't fit.

One thing to watch out for in this list is the Memory..

Something to keep in mind: If it's DDR memory, it's gonna be more expensive.
The Lower the memory speed (333, 400, etc), the Slower it is.

Look for something DDR2 with 800 speed at least otherwise, your 'upgrade' is gonna be slow in performace.
Of those listed; BioStar & PCchips are the only 2 that offer that setup

[Thrifty]

So here I did a search on Newegg for "CPU + Processor" and set the filters to Microatx.   So any of these motherboards will fit the case, based on the specifications?  Right?  I sure as shootin' don't want to buy something that doesn't fit.

One thing to watch out for in this list is the Memory..

Something to keep in mind: If it's DDR memory, it's gonna be more expensive.
The Lower the memory speed (333, 400, etc), the Slower it is.

Look for something DDR2 with 800 speed at least otherwise, your 'upgrade' is gonna be slow in performace.
Of those listed; BioStar & PCchips are the only 2 that offer that setup

Thanks for the input.  Now it's a tough toss-up between BioStar and PCchips.  I need IDE ports (that's the same as PATA, right)? so that my DVD-RW drive will work, but I also need SATA ports so I can put in a high-end hard drive (I'm thinking 1.5 Tb).