System to run both MacOS and Windows

[Alecsparty]

Hi Guys

I don't want to take up to much of you time just a quick answer would be great to get me started. I need to run both Windows and MacOS on my PC but have concerns it may struggle a little. Could you advise if there is a simple option i can select, say more RAM, to comfortably run both, or whether, as a friend suggests that running MacOS can be a pain with Athlons and I need to upgrade my motherboard and CPU.

Cheers in advance.

Current PC spec


Mainboard
Bus(es) : AGP PCI IMB USB i2c/SMBus
MP Support : 1 CPU(s)
Model : A8N-E
Version : 2.XX
Serial Number : 123456789000
BIOS Version : Nvidia - 42302e31
BIOS Date : 04/07/06
BIOS Vendor : Phoenix Technologies, LTD

CPU
Processor : AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3200+
Speed : 2000 MHz
Model : x64 Family 15 Model 47 Stepping 2
Processor ID : 078BFBFF00020FF2
Vendor Identifier : AuthenticAMD
Socket Designation : Socket 939

Memory Info
Total Physical Memory : 2.00 GB
Free Physical Memory : 1.30 GB
Maximum Page File : 4.00 GB
Free Page File : 3.06 GB
Page File :
Initial Size :
Maximum Size :
Allocated Memory Load : 34 %

Video Adapter
Device Description : ATI Radeon HD 5700 series
Adapter Compatibility : ATI Technologies Inc.
Adapter DAC Type : Internal DAC(400MHz)
Adapter RAM : 1024 MB

 

[p55ibexpeak]

What's your budget? What software do you run? What's the usage?

 

[Alecsparty]

What's your budget? What software do you run? What's the usage?

Hi p55ibexpeak

I have about £300 but need to include MacOS Leopard in that budget. I've recently taken up programming so along with windows7 I'm running visual c++, ogre, among other open source stuff, blender, inkscape, gimp etc. And will be running Xcode etc on macos. I play some games but my graphics card seems to handle them ok. Situation is that I currently work on a laptop intel dual core 1gig ram but it's starting to struggle as I've moved onto ogre and now I plan to switch to my desk top.

 

[p55ibexpeak]

Your friend was right that running OS X on AMD is a pain. It can be done with some modifications. The easiest way is to get a cheap-o Core 2 system which is what Macs are now. Yes, I know i5, but 300 pounds is not doable. However, i3 may be possible.

Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard costs £132.00. If you can find only the OS for less, get it. All the 40 quids ones are just upgrades. You need the full version of the OS.

http://store.apple.com/uk/product/MACBOX-101801?mco=MTM3NDc5NjQ

300 - 132 = 168 for the barebone.

--
Remove from cart Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 2.8GHz Socket 775 1066MHz FSB 3MB L2 Cache Retail Boxed Processor 152177 82 in stock £84.35 £71.78 £84.35 £71.78
Remove from cart Asus P5KPL-AM SE iG31 Socket 775 onboard Graphics audio mATX Motherboard 169508 303 in stock £32.34 £27.52 £32.34 £27.52
Remove from cart Extra Value 4GB Kit (2x2GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 Memory Non-ECC Unbuffered 135600 14 in stock £64.00 £54.46 £64.00 £54.46
(click if you have changed any details) Cart total inc vat: Cart total ex vat: £180.69
--

ebuyer.com

It's over budget, but I'm sure you can sell your old barebone for more than 20 quids. Put this barebone in your same old case with the same old power supply. It's fine. The mobo has onboard video and uses DDR2. 4GB would be better for OS X.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/152177
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/169508
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/135600

 

[Alecsparty]

Cheers for you help. Have a nice weekend.