System suggestion - Page 2

Joe 90 · 12-02-2008, 11:35

but is there still a lot of software compatibility issues associated with 64 bit systems, specifically in the xp line of things... I never really heard it that had been resolved, but was always teh reason i didn't put x64 xp on when i got it...

Daz · 12-02-2008, 11:38

Just depends on what you're doing. Ironically the only software problems I've had on this box have been with MS's own admin tools - some of them flat out refuse to install, so I've published some of them to myself through Citrix, and RDP elsewhere for the others.

These days it's less software compatibility and more driver support. I cant use some of the legacy printers for example, but I dont care as they're pap

Mark · 12-02-2008, 12:16

I would have gone x64 if they'd supplied it with my laptop, but they didn't, so I didn't.

Having said that, if I can figure out a way to buy a legit OEM install for it I may buy x64 Ultimate, as the Business-to-Ultimate upgrade cost is more than a new OEM copy.

Rich_L · 12-02-2008, 14:44

I've found that a combination of HUKDeals and Dell seems to spring up some bargains, but am a bit out of touch anyway.

i.e. just specced the following:

Intel® Core™ 2 Quad-Core Q6600 processor (2.40GHz, 1066MHz, 8MB cache)
Windows Vista® Business - English
2048MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x1024]
Dell™ Enhanced USB Multimedia Keyboard - UK/Irish (QWERTY)
256MB ATI® Radeon™ HD 2600 XT graphics card
500GB (7200rpm) Serial ATA Hard Drive with 16MB DataBurst™ cache
19-in-1 Media Card Reader
Dell Optical Scroll Premium Mouse
16x DVD+/-RW & 16x DVD Drives
Integrated 7.1 Channel High Definition Audio
Internal Wireless PCI Card
Microsoft® Works 8.5 - English
Standard Warranty1Yr Basic Warranty - Next Business Day
IEEE 1394 PCI Adapter card

And it came to £437 inc. VAT and delivery.

Could get another 500GB hard drive for say, £60, 2GB RAM for £40 - £537 for a pretty sweet PC

leowyatt · 12-02-2008, 14:47

Cheers rich

i'll have a look at that and pass it on.

Mark · 12-02-2008, 14:49

Bloody hell. That is a fab deal. I'm starting to think I shouldn't bother building PCs any more.

Daz · 12-02-2008, 14:56

With me retiring the Shuttle, every bit of kit in my house is now Dell. It's amazing really.

Mark · 12-02-2008, 14:59

The only piece of hardware I couldn't do that with is (a) the Mac (

) and (b) my fileserver (at least not cheaply - it's got five disks in it).

Admiral Huddy · 12-02-2008, 15:14

Having owned a quad core since November, I don't see any advantage to that of a dual core. At this time. If I have to run multiple tasks, then I have to set affinity to ensure that two apps, for example, are grabbing equal processing power. IMO, the E8400 is bargain and 4GHz is easy achievable. This would be my CPU of choice for the time being unless there are some radical changes in mutli-threaded applications. However, server apps may benefit.

Daz · 12-02-2008, 15:18

I dont get this trend people seem to having of setting affinity for processes, especially now HT isnt in the chips. The scheduler does a perfectly good job of managing threads for you, seems daft to interfere :S

And yeah Huddy, Quad core is great for a lot of server apps, in licensing terms if nothing else, saves you a fortune.

12-02-2008, 11:35	#11
Joe 90 Absinthe Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chester Posts: 2,345	but is there still a lot of software compatibility issues associated with 64 bit systems, specifically in the xp line of things... I never really heard it that had been resolved, but was always teh reason i didn't put x64 xp on when i got it... __________________ 360 Blog \| Join GiffGaff \| Twitter

12-02-2008, 11:38	#12
Daz The Stig Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Swad! Posts: 10,713	Just depends on what you're doing. Ironically the only software problems I've had on this box have been with MS's own admin tools - some of them flat out refuse to install, so I've published some of them to myself through Citrix, and RDP elsewhere for the others. These days it's less software compatibility and more driver support. I cant use some of the legacy printers for example, but I dont care as they're pap __________________ apt-get moo

12-02-2008, 14:44	#14
Rich_L Dr Cocktapuss Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Seven Sizzles Posts: 1,044	I've found that a combination of HUKDeals and Dell seems to spring up some bargains, but am a bit out of touch anyway. i.e. just specced the following: Intel® Core™ 2 Quad-Core Q6600 processor (2.40GHz, 1066MHz, 8MB cache) Windows Vista® Business - English 2048MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x1024] Dell™ Enhanced USB Multimedia Keyboard - UK/Irish (QWERTY) 256MB ATI® Radeon™ HD 2600 XT graphics card 500GB (7200rpm) Serial ATA Hard Drive with 16MB DataBurst™ cache 19-in-1 Media Card Reader Dell Optical Scroll Premium Mouse 16x DVD+/-RW & 16x DVD Drives Integrated 7.1 Channel High Definition Audio Internal Wireless PCI Card Microsoft® Works 8.5 - English Standard Warranty1Yr Basic Warranty - Next Business Day IEEE 1394 PCI Adapter card And it came to £437 inc. VAT and delivery. Could get another 500GB hard drive for say, £60, 2GB RAM for £40 - £537 for a pretty sweet PC __________________ Last edited by Rich_L; 12-02-2008 at 14:48.

12-02-2008, 14:47	#15
leowyatt Chef extraordinaire Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Infinite Loop Posts: 11,143	Cheers rich i'll have a look at that and pass it on. __________________ "Dr Sheldon Cooper FTW!"

12-02-2008, 14:56	#17
Daz The Stig Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Swad! Posts: 10,713	With me retiring the Shuttle, every bit of kit in my house is now Dell. It's amazing really. __________________ apt-get moo

12-02-2008, 12:16	#13
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	I would have gone x64 if they'd supplied it with my laptop, but they didn't, so I didn't. Having said that, if I can figure out a way to buy a legit OEM install for it I may buy x64 Ultimate, as the Business-to-Ultimate upgrade cost is more than a new OEM copy.

12-02-2008, 14:49	#16
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Bloody hell. That is a fab deal. I'm starting to think I shouldn't bother building PCs any more.

12-02-2008, 14:59	#18
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	The only piece of hardware I couldn't do that with is (a) the Mac () and (b) my fileserver (at least not cheaply - it's got five disks in it).

12-02-2008, 15:14	#19
Admiral Huddy HOMO-Sapien Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chelmsford Posts: 6,692	Having owned a quad core since November, I don't see any advantage to that of a dual core. At this time. If I have to run multiple tasks, then I have to set affinity to ensure that two apps, for example, are grabbing equal processing power. IMO, the E8400 is bargain and 4GHz is easy achievable. This would be my CPU of choice for the time being unless there are some radical changes in mutli-threaded applications. However, server apps may benefit. __________________ I just got lost in thought.. It was very unfamiliar territory. Techie Talk \| My gaming Blog \| PC spec \| The Admirals log

12-02-2008, 15:18	#20
Daz The Stig Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Swad! Posts: 10,713	I dont get this trend people seem to having of setting affinity for processes, especially now HT isnt in the chips. The scheduler does a perfectly good job of managing threads for you, seems daft to interfere :S And yeah Huddy, Quad core is great for a lot of server apps, in licensing terms if nothing else, saves you a fortune. __________________ apt-get moo