- Feb 17, 2007
- 117
- 0
- 18,680
Hi there-
(I've summarized the questions at the bottom)
I am trying to figure out what to do with my desktop. I used to be into building and overclocking and some gaming, but haven't been in the past 3 or 4 years. My last build/current computer is an e8600 on a Rampage formula with 2 Radeon 4850's in crossfire. Video cards are in the water loop also.
I'm also running Windows Vista.
The computer runs pretty well. Currently, I'm not really doing anything that requires massive computing power. I'm probably do for a reinstall of the OS, though. I just went back to grad school for Chemistry (not doing any computational chemistry, just the old fashioned kind). The most CPU intensive stuff I do is transcode music from FLAC to MP3. I've been video recording lectures recently and might want to compress them too, so a faster processor would be nice. Currently, the e8600 is not overclocked. I had it up to 4.5Ghz, but since I'm not gaming, I figured it would be better to keep it at stock.
1) My main concern right now is that my 74GB WD raptor (or whatever it's called. I think it's the 10K rpm one) is full and old. I'm thinking about upgrading to an SSD. Would this be advisable while keeping everything else the same?
I was looking at this Intel 530 Series SSDSC2BW240A4K5 2.5" 240GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) http://
Any suggestions on SSD's?
2) I don't really feel like taking everything off of water cooling, just because it's a pain in the butt. I'm concerned that the pump will fail at some point though. I might be able to dig out the old video card heatsinks and fans. If I rebuild, I would not use water cooling.
3) Should I just bite the bullet and build a new system. Money is a concern. I really need a new laptop. Current one is Vostro 1500 with Windows XP. I'm looking at $1400 Samsung and Lenova ultrabooks, but don't know if I can drop that kinda cash since I'm gonna be poor for the next 5 years.
4) I am not playing game right now, but I'd like to keep my options open.
In summary:
-I'm definitely going to upgrade to Windows 7 or 8.
-Upgrade to a SSD only?
-Rebuild with budget i7 system, current video card and take everything off of liquid?
-Just keep limping along with the desktop, dump all my money into a really sweet ultrabook? Could an ultrabook dock to my desktop monitor, keyboard and mouse???? The ATIV book 9 or Yoga 2 seems more powerful than my current watercooled monster desktop!
Thanks for any advice.
(I've summarized the questions at the bottom)
I am trying to figure out what to do with my desktop. I used to be into building and overclocking and some gaming, but haven't been in the past 3 or 4 years. My last build/current computer is an e8600 on a Rampage formula with 2 Radeon 4850's in crossfire. Video cards are in the water loop also.
I'm also running Windows Vista.
The computer runs pretty well. Currently, I'm not really doing anything that requires massive computing power. I'm probably do for a reinstall of the OS, though. I just went back to grad school for Chemistry (not doing any computational chemistry, just the old fashioned kind). The most CPU intensive stuff I do is transcode music from FLAC to MP3. I've been video recording lectures recently and might want to compress them too, so a faster processor would be nice. Currently, the e8600 is not overclocked. I had it up to 4.5Ghz, but since I'm not gaming, I figured it would be better to keep it at stock.
1) My main concern right now is that my 74GB WD raptor (or whatever it's called. I think it's the 10K rpm one) is full and old. I'm thinking about upgrading to an SSD. Would this be advisable while keeping everything else the same?
I was looking at this Intel 530 Series SSDSC2BW240A4K5 2.5" 240GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) http://
Any suggestions on SSD's?
2) I don't really feel like taking everything off of water cooling, just because it's a pain in the butt. I'm concerned that the pump will fail at some point though. I might be able to dig out the old video card heatsinks and fans. If I rebuild, I would not use water cooling.
3) Should I just bite the bullet and build a new system. Money is a concern. I really need a new laptop. Current one is Vostro 1500 with Windows XP. I'm looking at $1400 Samsung and Lenova ultrabooks, but don't know if I can drop that kinda cash since I'm gonna be poor for the next 5 years.
4) I am not playing game right now, but I'd like to keep my options open.
In summary:
-I'm definitely going to upgrade to Windows 7 or 8.
-Upgrade to a SSD only?
-Rebuild with budget i7 system, current video card and take everything off of liquid?
-Just keep limping along with the desktop, dump all my money into a really sweet ultrabook? Could an ultrabook dock to my desktop monitor, keyboard and mouse???? The ATIV book 9 or Yoga 2 seems more powerful than my current watercooled monster desktop!
Thanks for any advice.
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