General Upgrade

[eloyc]

Hi guys,

I'll maybe soon buy another PC and I have some questions about it.

1. How can I use my current HD with the new computer (except the OS, I only want to use some programs and files)? And I'll also need some harware guide to install a new HD in the empty place of the old computer, and how to install the OS in that one.

For the new computer:
2. What kind of processor? Dual and 64 bit? How's 64 bit software going?

3. What OS do you recommend, since it seems that many people still prefers XP rather than Vista. What's going on with Vista ? If Vista, 32 or 64 bit? There's also a lot of people complaining about 64 bit compatibility.

4. What graphics card? Is good to buy some of the first Dx10 cards or is it better to wait a little more or what?

Thankyou veeeeeeeery much. Take care!

[emwearz]

1. What type of HDD do you currently have? What new Mobo will you be getting? Generally speaking you should always do a new install of windows when main pieces of hardware are installed. Give google a search on how to install windows, its not hard. If you want the data I would suggest buying a new HDD installing windows on it and just having your other one in your machine as a slave drive, or back up everything on the drive to DVD or portable drive.

2. Core 2 Duo is still what I would reccomend to anyone, they perform great, have heaps of over clocking headroom and don't cost much anymore, pretty much all CPU's on the market are dual core (or quad) and are all have 64bit intruction sets.

3. I would recommend XP, better driver support, runs games faster. Vista is a ram whore and has a range of problems. Unless your a dev, you dont have that much use for 64 bit OS's so I would suggest XP 32bit.

4. Currently 8800GT's perform around the 8800GTX mark and cost under half there price, would suggest it to anyone wanting a new and high performing card. But of course as time goes on cards get better, though waiting for new cards when you have not even been announced is pretty pointless.

[eloyc]

Originally Posted by emwearz

1. What type of HDD do you currently have? What new Mobo will you be getting? Generally speaking you should always do a new install of windows when main pieces of hardware are installed. Give google a search on how to install windows, its not hard. If you want the data I would suggest buying a new HDD installing windows on it and just having your other one in your machine as a slave drive, or back up everything on the drive to DVD or portable drive.

Yes, I would like to have it as a slave, I think that's the better option, but if I have it like that, how will affect to the new computer if I already have an OS installed in my old HD? How will I determine what files from what HD are "driving" my PC (OS, system files, plugins, etc)?
By the way, what does Mobo mean? My HD is SATA. Is that what are you referring to? Hm, do I seem so dumb? Well, I guess is not so difficult to miss one or other meaning between all that computer-world bizarre names...

Originally Posted by emwearz

3. I would recommend XP, better driver support, runs games faster. Vista is a ram whore and has a range of problems. Unless your a dev, you dont have that much use for 64 bit OS's so I would suggest XP 32bit.

Ok, thanks, but what will happen when all software would run 64 bit? Do you think that's very far from now or I will have to reconfigure my PC in little time?

Thanks for your time.

[firyace]

Originally Posted by eloyc

Yes, I would like to have it as a slave, I think that's the better option, but if I have it like that, how will affect to the new computer if I already have an OS installed in my old HD? How will I determine what files from what HD are "driving" my PC (OS, system files, plugins, etc)?
By the way, what does Mobo mean? My HD is SATA. Is that what are you referring to? Hm, do I seem so dumb? Well, I guess is not so difficult to miss one or other meaning between all that computer-world bizarre names...


Ok, thanks, but what will happen when all software would run 64 bit? Do you think that's very far from now or I will have to reconfigure my PC in little time?

Thanks for your time.

That won't happen for a long time, since 64-bit is still very new and publishers are not very fond of making 64-bit applications as of now. So don't worry, I am pretty sure the time for all software running in 64-bit would be at least a couple of years later.

[eloyc]

Thanks for your replies.

I post again an unanswered question:
how will affect to the new computer if I already have an OS installed in my old HD? How will I determine what files from what HD are "driving" my PC (OS, system files, plugins, etc)?

Originally Posted by firyace

That won't happen for a long time, since 64-bit is still very new and publishers are not very fond of making 64-bit applications as of now. So don't worry, I am pretty sure the time for all software running in 64-bit would be at least a couple of years later.

Hm, I understand, thanks. But, is true that with XP I can only have 4Gb RAM and more with Vista?

[firyace]

for winxp, u can only have 3 gb (or like 3-3.2 gb are recognized in winxp 32-bit). With Vista 64-bit (not the 32-bit) it supports more.

for your unanswered question, it is best to re install a full OS as each computer has different drivers (such as mobo, video card, LAN etc). It will run, but the OS will be very crappy as you will have 2 sets of drivers in the OS

[eloyc]

Originally Posted by firyace

for winxp, u can only have 3 gb

That's it, 3 Gb not 4, as I said.

Thanks for your replies and suggestions. Bye.

[BigIg]

Originally Posted by firyace

for your unanswered question, it is best to re install a full OS as each computer has different drivers (such as mobo, video card, LAN etc). It will run, but the OS will be very crappy as you will have 2 sets of drivers in the OS

Actually, swaping harddisks like that has never worked for me, windows always crashed before it booted up..

[eloyc]

Originally Posted by BigIg

Actually, swaping harddisks like that has never worked for me, windows always crashed before it booted up..

Hi. So, what you did?