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I need help!

T

tcamp

n00b
Joined
Aug 6, 2004
Messages
40
I hate installing windows. I've done it so many times, professionally and personally it makes me insane. Getting all my audio gear set up and configured, installing all my games and software... I've gotten to a point where I need to give myself some sort of incentive to format and start from scratch. An example for an incentive would be reformatting for Vista, or buying a new MB/proc. Somehow the incentive makes it seem like all the hoursI'm putting in to reinstall are worthwhile because in the end my system will be faster.

That said, I really need to do a clean install now. I was trying to hold out until Vista had broader program support, but it looks like I'm not going to last that long. I've decided to stick with XP, which leaves me looking to new hardware for my "incentive". I've been an AMD guy since my first AXP 1800. I have had great luck with AMD's all along. Currently I have:

A64x2 4800@ 2.8ghz (s939)
A8n32-SLI Deluxe MB
8800GTS
2x 1TB Raid 0 arrays
and tons of audio gear (I do a lot of recording)

I know my system is pretty decent, but there are much better out now. I don't mind spending some money, but as I'm looking around, for once, Intel is looking pretty good. I haven't had an intel chip in anything other than a laptop in years. I don't know what to do. It also appears that barcelona will be coming out soon...the quad core intels will be coming down in price... If I get a new AM2 mb/proc will I have to get another MB when barcelona comes out?

Bottom line is that it seems like a shitty time to buy, but at the same time I feel like I really need to upgrade something to help justify the hours I'll spend installing windows. Please help!
 
Have you ever thought of using drive image? It's a great tool for making a backup of your hard drive and saves a ton of time when it comes time for the dreaded reinstall. I start with the basic xp install, latest drivers, etc and all the software that I ALWAYS use and burn an image to a bootable dvd set. Also keep a copy on a spare hard drive if you have the space (and it looks like you do ) So every 6 months or so as the asytem starts chugging along, pop in the dvd, reboot, and come back in an hour to a fresh xp install.

There's not a LOT of better upgrade options for you right now. At least not on the amd side. If you want to get something to overclock then a c2d system might be for you (3.0ghz - 3.5ghz). Otherwise nothing really worthwhile for another 6 months or so.
 
thanks for the reply!

Yeah, I have made images before, but usually enough changes in the course of the year that they really aren't that valid when I end up wanting to use them so I just copy my profile off, and reinstall. Copying the profile off can save lots of time because the ntuser.dat file has almost all of your program settings in it. The problem is that I've had the same profile for over 6 years now, and I think it's starting to become a little suspect. I really just need a fresh install.

C2D? I'm not familliar with that. did you mean AM2?
 
Lol, 6 years...that's an eternity for computers. :D I like the image since I tend to do a fresh install every 6 months or sooner, gets rid of the bloat from friends/family using the computer. Usually just a few driver updates and all is good.

C2D is intels core 2 duo. Imho it's really the only upgrade option that would benefit you right now. They have been overclocking great, and a mid range chip generally oc's to 3.2 -3.5ghz for under $250. But then you also need a new mobo and ram, same as you would if you go with an am2 setup.

Has yet to be determined which intel mobo's will work with the new penryn chips coming out in a few months, but likely all the big names should work just fine.

The amd barkie chips will work with current am2 mobos as well, they just wont take advantage of the faster hypertransport in the new chips.
 
Ah! C2D=core 2 duo! lol! That is what I've been looking at for the most part. Maybe I'll give Intel a shot again. It's been long enough :)
 
You need Core 2 Duo. AMD processors are looking as appealing right now as their stock prices. How much you trying to spend?
 
I really want to spend enough so I'd notice a good performance increase. I was thinking about the c2d 6600. That looks like a pretty good overclocker. newegg has it for $310. But then of course I get to buy new ram and a new mb. I'v always believed in buying the best ram and motherboard possible, so I'm looking at a total of around $960 for the proc, the asus striker extreme mb, and 2 gb of corsair dominator memory. All in all a little more than i wanted to spend, but I'm pretty sure I'd see a good performance jump with this setup.

if you can recommend a good mb for less that has raid 5, I might consider it. I've just been out of the intel side of things for so long I don't know what's what anymore.
 
Have you checked out the C2D Overclocking Thread? Lots of good info there.

And if you can wait 37 days, the new price cuts look really tempting. Even more so in about 6 months.

I just got a "new" used Opty 165 the other day to extend the life of my rig. Great stepping and does 2.9ghz @ 1.375v and 3ghz @ 1.45v (extra v not worth the 100mhz, but for bragging rights it can run @ 3ghz). Only reason I went dual core is so I can run the linux smp folding@home client, which is also the reason I'm thinking of the quad core this fall.



 
That's a good thought. Maybe just upgrading my processor will do the trick. Just kinda hard to justify buying another s939.

*sigh* Maybe I'll just do a repair install to hold me over for a few months and just wait for price cuts/barcelona/intel quad.
 
For starters, my profile is a little corrupted. It's doing some odd things. Lately I've been getting some very unusual windows errors, my pc won't shut down anymore, all kinds of things that are really telling me it's time to reinstall.

I can live with things being somewhat disorganized in my life, but when it comes to my computers, if they're not working properly it drives me insane.
 
Ciggarilo Himself said:
Why do you have to reinstal anyway? decay maybe?
Click to expand...

For me, I try out a lot of different programs for various projects/interests. If they suck or I just don't use them they get unistalled. After time all the remnants in the registry slow up boot time, file indexing, whatever. I like my computer fast. And with a 3 day old install and only a few games/apps installed, I've got the desktop up in 5 seconds after getting past the bios screen :cool:
 
I'm the same way. It kind of feels like wearing dirty underwear or something after awhile.
 
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