Got my X1900XT

[CaiNaM]

you use the uninstall program to remove the hardware drivers (there are also 3rd party programs and manual methods to do this as well). shut down, install the new hardware. windows detects it. install the appropriate drivers, reboot, and you're done.

you're at your "full" potential.

the only reason to start from scratch is if you don't know how to properly remove remnants of apps/drivers left over from removed hardware/software.

as for your cpu example, you simply tell XP to redetect the hardware (this does require going thru the setup process), and it will redetect, reconfigure, and load the appropriate drivers or ask for them.

formatting not required

 

[justly]

Originally posted by: CaiNaM
you use the uninstall program to remove the hardware drivers (there are also 3rd party programs and manual methods to do this as well). shut down, install the new hardware. windows detects it. install the appropriate drivers, reboot, and you're done.

you're at your "full" potential.

It would sound that way, but...if the uninstall program is flawless why is there 3rd party programs that are recommended to be used in addition to the normal uninstall program? Also, has there ever been, or will there ever be an update to the 3rd party programs, if so then there is room for improvement hence the 3rd party programs may not be flawless either.

the only reason to start from scratch is if you don't know how to properly remove remnants of apps/drivers left over from removed hardware/software.

While I agree that the worst problems come from the object between the chair and the keyboard, you still seem to be saying that either no program utilizes optomized code or if they do it is reconfigured every time the program starts.

as for your cpu example, you simply tell XP to redetect the hardware (this does require going thru the setup process), and it will redetect, reconfigure, and load the appropriate drivers or ask for them.

Does this mean some programs do utilize optimized code that requires someone to manually initiate the setup process to get full potential?

formatting not required

Maybe not, but there is still the possibility the setup process may need to be run for any pre-existing programs that use optimized code so that they can redetect, reconfigure, and load the appropriate otimizations.

If you haven't figured it out I am only playing devils advocate about this to show that there is the posibility for pre-existing software to still affect potential performance when hardware is changed. Not that I think people will go into this much detail to debunk the results ST provides, but more to show that his results can and will be call into question for not having a fresh install if they are not favorable to ATi.

 

[Smartazz]

How much do they go for?

 

[CaiNaM]

Originally posted by: justly
Maybe not, but there is still the possibility the setup process may need to be run for any pre-existing programs that use optimized code so that they can redetect, reconfigure, and load the appropriate otimizations.

If you haven't figured it out I am only playing devils advocate about this to show that there is the posibility for pre-existing software to still affect potential performance when hardware is changed. Not that I think people will go into this much detail to debunk the results ST provides, but more to show that his results can and will be call into question for not having a fresh install if they are not favorable to ATi.

i certainly have no objection to someone playing devils advocate, but at the same time, can you give an example of a program such as you're talking about? unless you have somethign specific in mind, it just comes across as paranoia

there are a few games i can think of, but using ut2k4 as an example, every one i've ran across (FEAR is another i can think of at the top of my head) will "redetect" hardware when it runs across a hardware change - either detecting its own "optimal" settings, or forcing you to manually choose new settings.