Should I get a new computer?

[Farmer]

Hello all.

My current system runs on an original Clawhammer core 2GHz Athlon 64, 2GB of DDR1, and an ATI X1950XT. I'm quite surprised that I've been able to run games like Crysis last year and Empire Total War this year (albeit on the lowest possible settings).

So, I'm contemplating an "upgrade" that will essentially change the computer. The sole purpose of the upgrade is to play new games, because my current system word processes and web browses fast enough for me. Here's what I had in mind:

AMD Phenom 2 X3 720
Gigabyte GA-MA-790XT-UDP4 Mobo
Corsair DDR3-1600 9-9-9-24 2x2GB RAM
Sapphire HD4870 1GB

$550 shipped to my doorstep.

I have a PCP&C 620W PSU, so that front is covered. It will move into my existing case with existing hard drives and optical drives. Obviously any hardware recommendations would be welcomed, and there's the option of waiting for the HD4890 to come out, but that's not my primary concern. I'm quite set on going the AMD route.

My primary concern is actually OS. I know nothing of them, I've been running XP Pro 32 bit for as long as I've had this computer. I currently go to school, so, via MS Campus Agreement, I can essentially get free licenses for XP Pro 32 bit, XP Pro 64 bit, or Vista Enterprise 32 bit. Ideally, I would be running this machine with something like Vista 64 bit, if only for the ability to see all the RAM. I feel like it is completely not worth it at this point to purchase an OEM copy of Vista 64bit Ultimate for $180, especially with the far superior Windows 7 looming.

So, if I do get the upgrade, I've been thinking of running on XP Pro 64 bit for the time being. Is this a good idea? If I choose to run XP 32 bit or maybe even Vista 32 bit on one stick of RAM, will it work?

Also, since the processor has an unlocked multiplier, can overclocking be achieved by simply increasing the multiplier? I've been out of the overclocking loop for quite some time, and I don't know if there is some primer on Phenom overclocking that I can read up.

Thanks for reading.

 

[zerogear]

Unless you really need BitLocker, RDP or MUI, getting OEM for Home Premium is a better choice.

 

[Blain]

The Corsair is rated for 1.8v. Stick with DDR3 rated for the standard 1.5v.
Remember that "timings" are almost meaningless these days.

 

[AstroManLuca]

You're sure the school is giving away Vista Enterprise? Seems like a strange choice of edition. But whatever.

One thing to keep in mind is that 32- and 64-bit versions of a particular edition use the same CD keys. I got 32-bit Vista Ultimate from my school for really cheap and used the CD key to install a copy of 64-bit Ultimate that I downloaded. So you could get Enterprise 64-bit from a P2P site and use your CD key on it, if you want to run Vista instead of XP.

 

[CoinOperatedBoy]

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
You're sure the school is giving away Vista Enterprise? Seems like a strange choice of edition. But whatever.

One thing to keep in mind is that 32- and 64-bit versions of a particular edition use the same CD keys. I got 32-bit Vista Ultimate from my school for really cheap and used the CD key to install a copy of 64-bit Ultimate that I downloaded. So you could get Enterprise 64-bit from a P2P site and use your CD key on it, if you want to run Vista instead of XP.

It might be a little harder to find an Enterprise 64-bit image. I haven't looked.

But I believe you can install any version of Vista if you use an Ultimate disc. If you provide an Enterprise key to the Ultimate x64 installer, it will install Enterprise x64. That's what I did with the Vista Business key I got with a 32-bit image from school.

I assume using the key to install a 64-bit version instead of 32-bit is kosher with Microsoft; otherwise, they would have used different keys. They might frown on downloading an installer disc from P2P, though.

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
You're sure the school is giving away Vista Enterprise? Seems like a strange choice of edition. But whatever.

One thing to keep in mind is that 32- and 64-bit versions of a particular edition use the same CD keys. I got 32-bit Vista Ultimate from my school for really cheap and used the CD key to install a copy of 64-bit Ultimate that I downloaded. So you could get Enterprise 64-bit from a P2P site and use your CD key on it, if you want to run Vista instead of XP.

You might be able to just request a 64-bit disc from MS for $10:

Windows Vista Alternate Media Program

I received a free 32-bit copy of Windows Vista Business through school and was able to get a legit 64-bit version of the disk from MS that uses the same key for $10.

 

[Rifter]

i did the same thing, i bought Vista 32 bit Home basic Retail for old PC then when it died I ordered 64bit for $10 and installed it on new system. Same key.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
You're sure the school is giving away Vista Enterprise? Seems like a strange choice of edition. But whatever.

One thing to keep in mind is that 32- and 64-bit versions of a particular edition use the same CD keys. I got 32-bit Vista Ultimate from my school for really cheap and used the CD key to install a copy of 64-bit Ultimate that I downloaded. So you could get Enterprise 64-bit from a P2P site and use your CD key on it, if you want to run Vista instead of XP.

You might be able to just request a 64-bit disc from MS for $10:

Windows Vista Alternate Media Program

I received a free 32-bit copy of Windows Vista Business through school and was able to get a legit 64-bit version of the disk from MS that uses the same key for $10.

I know, I tried that and it wouldn't let me for whatever reason. Probably because it's a special educational copy. Yet other people (including you) got it through school and had no problem, so I really don't know what's going on with that.

 

[Denithor]

DDR3 = waste of cash

Go for a DDR2 motherboard (AM2+) and save some bucks.

EDIT:
PhII X3 720 + Foxconn 790FX combo $211
Corsair 4GB DDR2-800 $45 - $25MIR
MSI 4870 1GB $200 - $25MIR

Total: $446 - $50MIR = $396

 

[Farmer]

Thanks for all the replies.

zerogear:

Noted, but Home Premium is still fairly expensive.

Blain:

May I ask why 1.5v instead of 1.8v? Is 1.8v too high a voltage for the mobo to support? I have little idea how it is now, but 1.8v was within the normal range, at least for older Athlon motherboards.

Regarding the OS:

Here's how the free license works. They let you download an image of the install disc that is valid for something like 2 days after download. With that image, you can install the OS. I don't have to put in the a product key (like when you're installing using an OEM disc) , nor do I ever see the key (at least I think so, I've never going looking for it, you can probably get to it after you install and activate).

No votes for XP 64bit? That would be the easiest option for me.

Denithor:

I actually went with DDR3 because of a combo with the CPU (-$40). It's about $50 more than the DDR2 setup I had before (but didn't list), I figured what the hell.

Though, the setup you listed is quite good especially with the combo. I've never had experience with Foxconn mobos. I'll look up some reviews.

 

[MegaVovaN]

Originally posted by: Farmer
Regarding the OS:

Here's how the free license works. They let you download an image of the install disc that is valid for something like 2 days after download. With that image, you can install the OS. I don't have to put in the a product key (like when you're installing using an OEM disc) , nor do I ever see the key (at least I think so, I've never going looking for it, you can probably get to it after you install and activate).

No votes for XP 64bit? That would be the easiest option for me.

Forget XP64, it's dead and does not have DirectX10. If I were you, I'd install their thing (32 bit vista), grab the key, then DL Ultimate image or get a disk through MS for $10 for vista 64 (enterprise or ultimate disk) and install that.

Once you insall win vista, the key will be in My computer Properties.

(Start -> right click Computer --> Properties. )

 

[Farmer]

Nevermind, was posted above. I originally asked about the $10 thing.

I'm not actually too clear on how it works, but there is certainly a 2-day or so deadline on the thing. I'm not sure if the deadline is on the bootable image, or on the CD key. I.e., do I have to activate within 2 days of downloading the image for the CD key to remain valid, or do I just have to install Windows within 2 days and the CD key is valid forever. If the former is the case, requesting the $10 disc is out of the question.

Anyway, I'm going to try to find a good, clean Ultimate 64 image. I'm just wondering why Vista 64 was left out of our MCA.

 

[Blain]

The JEDEC DDR3 voltage standard is 1.5v
The JEDEC DDR2 voltage standard ia 1.8-1.9v

 

[CoinOperatedBoy]

Originally posted by: Farmer
Nevermind, was posted above. I originally asked about the $10 thing.

I'm not actually too clear on how it works, but there is certainly a 2-day or so deadline on the thing. I'm not sure if the deadline is on the bootable image, or on the CD key. I.e., do I have to activate within 2 days of downloading the image for the CD key to remain valid, or do I just have to install Windows within 2 days and the CD key is valid forever. If the former is the case, requesting the $10 disc is out of the question.

Anyway, I'm going to try to find a good, clean Ultimate 64 image. I'm just wondering why Vista 64 was left out of our MCA.

I don't think they have keys that expire after a number of days.

I think when I got mine through MSDNAA, there was a deadline for me to complete the actual download of the image. After that, I could not acquire additional copies. If they actually can stop you from installing after 2 days, you could probably just set the date in the BIOS back...

 

[A5]

Originally posted by: Farmer
Nevermind, was posted above. I originally asked about the $10 thing.

I'm not actually too clear on how it works, but there is certainly a 2-day or so deadline on the thing. I'm not sure if the deadline is on the bootable image, or on the CD key. I.e., do I have to activate within 2 days of downloading the image for the CD key to remain valid, or do I just have to install Windows within 2 days and the CD key is valid forever. If the former is the case, requesting the $10 disc is out of the question.

Anyway, I'm going to try to find a good, clean Ultimate 64 image. I'm just wondering why Vista 64 was left out of our MCA.

You could always just email the admin of your school's MCA program. If they know there's a demand, they can usually get just about anything.