A few suggestion on future build

[Topcover]

I am getting ready and beginning my research for a build in march. With the new intel 45nm quads I need to finally replace my old computer. My questions are

Vista 32 or vista 64 bit

I plan on getting vista ultimate and was wondering if 64 bit was worth it. This computer is going to have 4 gigs of memory. So i can see that benefit but I cannot find out reliable info on driver support in vista 64 and 32. Yes i know xp is better but i want to get some experience on vista (plus i already have a copy of xp anyway).

Has anyone heard any info on the geforce 9800gtx/gt all i heard is that there is card called that. I cannot find anymore information so stuff on them like performance/price would be great.

This computer is primarily going to be used for games so would sli be worth it. My processor is going to be the q9550(the 350 dollar one with 16mb cache i believe) I play games at 1600*1200 mainly css, and most new rts. Is sli worth it.

If sli is worth it should i get a 780i or a 750i. I would prefer the cheaper one because I would have to upgrade for the motherboard for nahalem but is the 8*8 sli as much of a performance loss as it seems to look like compared to a 780i 16*16 sli. The board i am planning on getting is this one from msi

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130159

If you need other information i can provide it and thank you for the help

 

[raven_87]

hell, if you need a rig like that to play css @ 1600x1200..... nvm

4GB of Ram? 64bit OS = yes

Dont bother with SLI if your getting a single 9xxx, especially since your only playing RTS' and source.

 

[amd_fanboi]

SLI? that res? no... i play CoD4 demo with no problems on a 'crappy' E2160 and a 3870 with NO lag issues... 20/30fps... so no, sli is not needed...

(ps, i'm at 1680x1050 maxed for CoD4... so... )

oh, and go for Vista Home Premium 64 bit... it'll be better and cheaper, if you don't need the features of Ultimate

 

[JackNaylorPE]

You buying Vista Ultimate OEM or Retail. If the latter, you get both in the Box....so I'd set up my HD with partitions (assuming one HD) where you have both.

C:\64 Bit OS
D:\32 bit OS
E:\page and temp files
F:\ and whatever - rest however you want

Set both OS's to use the same page and temp files.

Here's what I'd do....

1. Install 64 bit and partition as described.
2. Make copy of boot.ini file and save it as boot64.ini
3. Install 32 Bit on D.
4. If something acts wiggly under 64 even under 32 bit emulation just reboot to 32 and run from there.

A for the 9550, it's not out yet and I think the release price is $530 not $350.

http://techgage.com/article/intel_core_2_duo_e8400_30ghz_-_wolfdale_arrives/

 

[Topcover]

Thanks for the input everyone and thanks for clarifying the processor for me I Ment to say the q9450

I plan on getting the single 9800 because to many of my friends had problems with there 7950gx2 in driver issues and board compatibility and I fear the same could pan out for the 9800gx2. Based on the information you told me.

That makes it easier to budget thanks for the help. As far as Dual-booting goes I plan on using a spare 160gig sata laying around and boot xp off that at some point buy i already have to brand new 320gig 16mb cache western digital hard drives ready for raid 0. My experiences with raid and dual booting all end in file system corrupt or some other data destroying error. Thanks for the suggestion though I will keep that in mind.

thanks for all the help