Computer People...help!

[coliebear]

You could upgrade to 16 GB in the future but remember that requires a 64 bit operating system in order to recognize all of the 16 GB. A 32 bit OS (most versions of xp, moderate majority of vista pc's) can only work with 4 GB.

Quad core is referring to the number of actual CPU's inside of the processor. There are four of the same cpu's inside of a quad core chip, two of the same in a dual core. The major advantage to having more cores is that they can divide up the work load among the cores, resulting in faster performance when dealing with a heavy workload.

For the amount of memory in Vista, at least 4 GB! Vista with Aero effects on uses a HUGE amount of memory compated to xp when simply idling. It has been tested and the common theme is Vista needs double the amount that xp needs. Memory is one thing that you can never have enough of, and is one of the simplest ways to boost performance in both new and old machines. Hell, memory is so cheap nowadays, it makes complete sense to go for as much memory as you can afford. OCZ 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2800-$52 ($27 after rebate!!!!)

Good luck with the compy!

EDIT: You could get twice the system if you built the computer yourself (it's not that hard), I can throw together a configuration for you if you want.

[coliebear]

Alright I made the config:

CPU-Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0ghz-$165
Motherboard-Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P Intel P45-$137
Memory-OCZ 4gb (2x2gb) DDR2800-$52
Case-Antec Three Hundred Case-$55
Power Supply-Antec Earthwatts 500W-$50
Hard Drive-Seagate Barracuda 750GB-$90
VIDEO CARD (best part )-ATi Radeon 4850 512mb GDDR3 PCI Express-$170
Monitor-Acer X223Wbd 22" Widescreen-$165
DVD Burner-LG SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner-$22

Total (Before Rebates): $905.87
Total (After Rebates): $830.87

How to build a computer

[Nosketch78]

Personally, I wouldn't buy from ibuypower. Very overpriced.

[Ms.NatureFaerie]

Originally Posted by Nosketch78

Personally, I wouldn't buy from ibuypower. Very overpriced.

where would you go?

[SmokeyMcpot88]

Newegg.com is a fair priced place for computers and parts from what I can tell. I plan on buying a motherboard and graphics card from them very soon. My current computer is outdated and I have a amd 64 x2 processor sitting around so the time is neigh.


If you have 2 gigs in it now and you can hardly do shit Id like to know what processor you have now. I have a Intel Pentium 4 + 1.5 gigs and I can multitask fairly smooth with vista. If your running anything older than that.....EEEEk.

I will be going back to XP shortly though due to hardware not being supported by vista such as my perfectly good sound card, and a few graphics issues that make some games unplayable.

Just make sure to try and get a 512mb graphics card if you plan on playing new games, I have actually seen a few that now recommend 512 for smooth gameplay. There is some REALLY good fair priced gfx cards on newegg.com for sure.

[Ms.NatureFaerie]

It's not that I can't do shit...it's just that it's slow. It can't handle vista + photoshop + dreamweaver...etc. And for games it's bleh so I need a new one.