[Levi]

Hello again Bob,

Run a compatibility test in your computer.  You can download it form Microsoft website.  This way, you know which software or printers, scanners etc you currently have works or not with Windows 7.

More than likely, your current Antivirus will not work.  Again, run the comptibility test.
 

Can anyone tell me if my existing version of Microsoft Office (for XP) would still run on Windows 7, or do I have to buy the new version of Word/Excel/etc also?

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Keep 'em coming.

[Thump553]

Excellent point Levi.  A few years ago my work computer suddenly gave up the ghost (motherboard problem) and I quickly bought a replacement that ran Vista.  I then found out I'd been spending at least another $500-1000 to upgrade my major software programs (and a multifunction printer) to have them run under Vista.  Being cheap, I instead went out and bought a copy of XP, wiped out the new computer and started over.  I hate paying twice for an operating system but it ended up being the cheapest route for me.

[Doublej]

Nowadays there is lots of great freeware out there. For example, if you don't need Outlook and are not editing someone else's Office 2007 document,s Open Office works great and is free.

For casual use there's Google Docs and Microsoft Office Live Small Business which are free as well.

[adydula]

Bob,

If you really want to play the new games WELL a laptop just will not cut it...unless you spend some BIG Bucks on it:

If you want to play those new games then you will need a fast CPU, and a great video card. Build a system like the one with the parts below and it will blow your mind...I do this all the time and do professional benchmarking for a LARGE PC Company...

Win 7, 64 Bits...Ultimate Version.

At least 4gb memory. DDR3 Memory

These are spinning drives 7.2K rpm..for your games and programs
1Tb or 1.5 Tb or 2.0Tb
Or
2 - 1.0 Tb in Raid 0

Get a SSD for the boot drive: OCZ 60GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227394&cm_re=ocx_60gb_vertex-_-20-227-394-_-Product

Video Card: GTX 295
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150401

Motherboard: ASUS WS Revolution
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131358&cm_re=asus_i7_1366-_-13-131-358-_-Product

CPU : Intel I7 920

CPU Heatsink:Noctua CPU Heatsink Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608014&cm_re=noctua_nh-u12p_cpu_cooler-_-35-608-014-_-Product

Power Supply: Coolermaster 1100 Watt
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171034&cm_re=coolermaster_power_supplies-_-17-171-034-_-Product

Case: Coolermaster HAF 932
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160&cm_re=haf_932-_-11-119-160-_-Product

This system will kick butt...oh get yourself a nice 24" LCD or larger!!

Alex

[nyc_paramedic]

Can anyone tell me if my existing version of Microsoft Office (for XP) would still run on Windows 7, or do I have to buy the new version of Word/Excel/etc also?

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Keep 'em coming.

Suggestions? Try the free and open sauce Open Office 3.1

Link: http://www.openoffice.org

You have nothing to lose.

[ecramer]

Bob,

If you really want to play the new games WELL a laptop just will not cut it...unless you spend some BIG Bucks on it:

If you want to play those new games then you will need a fast CPU, and a great video card. Build a system like the one with the parts below and it will blow your mind...I do this all the time and do professional benchmarking for a LARGE PC Company...

Win 7, 64 Bits...Ultimate Version.

At least 4gb memory. DDR3 Memory

These are spinning drives 7.2K rpm..for your games and programs
1Tb or 1.5 Tb or 2.0Tb
Or
2 - 1.0 Tb in Raid 0

Get a SSD for the boot drive: OCZ 60GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227394&cm_re=ocx_60gb_vertex-_-20-227-394-_-Product

Video Card: GTX 295
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150401

Motherboard: ASUS WS Revolution
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131358&cm_re=asus_i7_1366-_-13-131-358-_-Product

CPU : Intel I7 920

CPU Heatsink:Noctua CPU Heatsink Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608014&cm_re=noctua_nh-u12p_cpu_cooler-_-35-608-014-_-Product

Power Supply: Coolermaster 1100 Watt
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171034&cm_re=coolermaster_power_supplies-_-17-171-034-_-Product

Case: Coolermaster HAF 932
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160&cm_re=haf_932-_-11-119-160-_-Product

This system will kick butt...oh get yourself a nice 24" LCD or larger!!

Alex

Yep that's some nice toys you got there im going to go price one up

ED

[ctviggen]

I've built my own computers and bought my own, and the next computer I buy will be bought.  Building takes too long, you have to do too much research, and then you end up with crap that doesn't work or you have poor support.  For instance, my fancy video card (256 MB, heat pipe cooled) has no Windows 7 drivers and the time period for getting them is unknown.  My motherboard is supposed to support RAID, but I could not get this to work with three identical hard drives.  I had a bad motherboard shipped to me (would not POST).  Then, I thought I wanted a computer to run games and needed a lot of space, so I have a massive case with three fans that's now incredibly noisy.

My next computer will be something like this:

http://blogs.amd.com/home/2009/11/12/the-dell-inspiron-zinohd/

I would upgrade to a dual-core processor, and that's about it.  (Well, I'd get Win7; they initially had Win7 but retracted that.) It's quiet, small, and has all I need. 

[adydula]

I've been building pcs since the beginning, and consider myself an expert in this area.

Most of the stuff you buy to build your own works well out of the box, and it pays to reasearch what you buy.

If you buy first generation stuff with early BIOS etc there may be some small issues.

All of the stuff on my list, I use, has been out for months and works very well.

Most of the crap you get from Dell etc is a compromise.

If you want to play games you need the horsepower to push those pixels period.

If Bob doesnt want to play the 'new' games well then that changes the equation.

Intel I7's CPU is the heat....for now.

Most people that buy stuff dont know what they are doing, think they do and dont have good analytical skills.

If you want to buy complete then go here:

http://www.bfgsystems.com/

All the Best
Alex

[John151]

Purchasing a new PC can be daunting - so many choices, so many variables.  There is some great advice in this thread. 

Here are the guidelines I use when purchasing a new PC to help me narrow down the options of a selected model:

1) Get the max memory you can on the PC you choose (within reason).  Memory makes computers faster!  Also, memory demands increase constantly, so if you don't need the memory now, you will down the road.  Note that a 64 bit OS will need more memory than a 32 bit OS.

2) Go large and fast on the HD.  This will make a noticeable difference.

3) Get two HDs if possible (3 is even better).  Separating your OS from your apps and data can really make a computer scream.  This also allows for some slick back up scenarios as well. Note that the downside of multiple HDs is noise, heat,  and power consumption.  This requires a well designed system. 

4) Go cheap on the CPU on the given computer you have chosen (i.e. if they offer an Intel CPU at 2.66, 3.00, or 3.33 GHz, get the 2.66).  Unless you are running an extremely CPU intensive application, you will never notice the difference between 2.66 GHz and 3.33 GHz.  The CPU is way faster than anything else in the computer (including the RAM) and is either waiting for other resources to catch up (i.e. idling in a wait state), or is trashed by really bad code. (really bad code will trash any CPU, regardless of speed).  Also, a faster CPU can not overcome the design flaws in windows. 

[adydula]

With the advent of the new high end graphics cards like the dual GPU GTX 295 and the ability to Dual and Tri-Sli the CPU of a dual core can be overwhelmed....and even the great Intel I7 cores can be a bottelneck at stock speeds. With the toughest games to run at the highest eye candy settings like CRYSIS, it takes all of the I7 even overlocked to 4.5GHZ and dual and tri sli. This is with all the AA on full etc..

For most folks this is not an issue, and yes you can choose lower resolutions to help with the pixel pushing.

But if you want to all with games it takes a FAST CPU with copious amounts of internal cache, fast video cards with gobs of memory and overclocking.

With the setup I mention above (one which is similarto the one I am using to type this note) running a 4.5 GHZ I can play any of the games at high settings..Up to this point I never could even with 12 GB of main memory...

I am using three GTX 280 cards in tri-sli and play everything in 1920 x 1200 with most of the eye candy turned on full tilt

Its only $$$

Smiling
Alex

 aa aa

[ecramer]

As my buddy who used to race cars said to me " there is no  suitable  substitute for cubic horsepower" When buying a computer always buy as much Memory cpu video card power as your wallet will allow personaly i usually put my systems together at

http://www.cyberpower pc

ED

[Big Red Machine]

Does anyone actually use like 6 gb of RAM in any of their computers?

[John151]

Does anyone actually use like 6 gb of RAM in any of their computers?

I don't, but I would expect anyone doing a lot of video or photo work would.  CAD/CAM work might use a lot as well.   Anyone doing any major database work could easily soak up 6 Gb of RAM.

There are also some cool things that can be done with memory, such as mounting virtual drives in memory (software developers might do this).

[bpape]

I just built a machine for a friend.  He does video editing (personal, not professional).  Built him a box with the Intel i7 cpu, 6gb RAM, video board with 1GB of DDR5 vram, 1TB hard disk, dual layer dvd rewritable, Windows 7 64 bit, etc.  $1600 with 23" 1920x1080 monitor.

Bryan

[woodsyi]

I just built a machine for a friend.  He does video editing (personal, not professional).  Built him a box with the Intel i7 cpu, 6gb RAM, video board with 1GB of DDR5 vram, 1TB hard disk, dual layer dvd rewritable, Windows 7 64 bit, etc.  $1600 with 23" 1920x1080 monitor.

Bryan

Bryan,

How does this Costco offering compare with what you built?

[BobM]

This one at Costco isn't too shabby either at the same price including a monitor, but it doesn't have the top end gaming components.

Separate monitors generally run between $100-200.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11495669&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|84|56671|78518&N=4035050&Mo=30&pos=1&No=8&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=78518&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&ec=BC-EC10600-Cat56671&topnav=

or this one for about $300 less without monitor:
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11500733&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|84|56671|78518&N=4035050&Mo=30&pos=1&No=11&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=78518&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&ec=BC-EC10600-Cat56671&topnav=

Damn - there are actually lots of decent looking choices on the site these days

[ctviggen]

4) Go cheap on the CPU on the given computer you have chosen (i.e. if they offer an Intel CPU at 2.66, 3.00, or 3.33 GHz, get the 2.66).  Unless you are running an extremely CPU intensive application, you will never notice the difference between 2.66 GHz and 3.33 GHz.  The CPU is way faster than anything else in the computer (including the RAM) and is either waiting for other resources to catch up (i.e. idling in a wait state), or is trashed by really bad code. (really bad code will trash any CPU, regardless of speed).  Also, a faster CPU can not overcome the design flaws in windows.

But also choose a large cache if possible.  In other words, if you have the choice between a 2.6GHz dual core with 512k or 1MB, get the 1MB.  The cache really helps to speed up processing when performing the same task over and over.

[bpape]

Comparable with some caveats:

- Don't know the motherboard vendor for support and reliability
- Liquid cooling is a double edged sword, great until it fails
- No monitor included in that price
- DDR3 vram instead of DDR5
- Don't know how much cache is on the hard disk

Bryan

[adydula]

You dont need liquid cooling to go fast.....you can do 4 to 4.5 ghz easily on air with the cooler listed above in my post.

Liquid cooling is fine but has its issues and maintenance, if done right its ok fine, and quiet, but its still dependent on the ambient room temperature etc...some folks think liquid cooling is magic, its not!

Even if Bob did not overclock and just got a nvidia gtx 295 or the latest ATI video card with an Intel I7 running at stock cpu clock speeds this would be so much better than what he has now...

Come on Bob its Christmas, get in the spirit and spend some of those bucks and enjoy!!

 aa


All the best
Alex

[rahimlee54]

You dont need liquid cooling to go fast.....you can do 4 to 4.5 ghz easily on air with the cooler listed above in my post.

Liquid cooling is fine but has its issues and maintenance, if done right its ok fine, and quiet, but its still dependent on the ambient room temperature etc...some folks think liquid cooling is magic, its not!

Even if Bob did not overclock and just got a nvidia gtx 295 or the latest ATI video card with an Intel I7 running at stock cpu clock speeds this would be so much better than what he has now...

Come on Bob its Christmas, get in the spirit and spend some of those bucks and enjoy!!

 aa


All the best
Alex

I have yet to see anyone pushing 4.5 ghz on an I7, using safe voltages, but a few of my friends run them at 4.0 easy.  You will need some bigboy ram to keep up with that fsb.

The only people I have read that use liquid are, guys that like to bench and sell afterwards.  They do make some sort of self contained liquid cooling item, just plug and play no pumps to worry about melting with a ketone or seperate buckets  of liquid.