A new computer
Even when not in the market, I enjoy looking through the new technology available to build a new computer. I like learning about the new tech, even if I don't really understand the gritty details like rendertarget. My computer as it currently stands, is perfectly adequate for most tasks. Even most games. But as was painfully demonstrated at a recent LAN party, the minimum recommended hardware requirements don't make for an ideal gaming experience. We were playing Battlefield 2 (badly) and my poor machine was taking upwards of 2 minutes to load a new map when others would load in under 30 seconds. This makes the penguin sad.
The last time the penguin was rebuilt was about 3 years ago. Standard life cycle of a computer is 3 years. So I figure it's about time.
Most of the parts will be purchased from newegg.com. They have treated my friends and I quite well in the past. Here are the details of the current plan. Comments and suggestions are welcome.
Athlon 64 X2 3800+ dual-core processor chip
Abit AN8-Ultra motherboard (upgradable to processors that aren't available yet, 4.6ghz+, and up to 4gb of RAM)
ATI Radeon X1600XT 256mb video card (The New Hotness!)
Corsair RAM 2 x 1gb TWINX2048-3200C2PRO
1x Western Digital 74gb Raptor (ATA 150)- 10,000RPM (Primary drive, OS & Applications)
2x Western Digital 200GB 7200 RPM SATA each (Mirrored for data storage)
Titan Vanessa-L Type processor cooling unit (Pretty!)
Plextor Beige SATA DVD burner Model PX-716SA/SW
Logitech G7 cordless Mouse (A gaming luxury really. Totally unnecessary.)
The above items are what I'm looking at to replace. Due to the penguin being the coolest case ever, I likely won't replace it, unless the Titan cooling unit doesn't fit, or the case just doesn't provide enough cooling for the components in general. Besides the case, my primary slot loading DVD player, Audigy I sound card, TruBlu 485W power supply, and M$ keyboard will stay with the package. And eventually I'll probably upgrade my speedpad with an n52.
I was thinking I needed a new icon for such geeking, but upon reflection, I think this one will do. "It's not stupid. It's advanced."
Squee!
The last time the penguin was rebuilt was about 3 years ago. Standard life cycle of a computer is 3 years. So I figure it's about time.
Most of the parts will be purchased from newegg.com. They have treated my friends and I quite well in the past. Here are the details of the current plan. Comments and suggestions are welcome.
Athlon 64 X2 3800+ dual-core processor chip
Abit AN8-Ultra motherboard (upgradable to processors that aren't available yet, 4.6ghz+, and up to 4gb of RAM)
ATI Radeon X1600XT 256mb video card (The New Hotness!)
Corsair RAM 2 x 1gb TWINX2048-3200C2PRO
1x Western Digital 74gb Raptor (ATA 150)- 10,000RPM (Primary drive, OS & Applications)
2x Western Digital 200GB 7200 RPM SATA each (Mirrored for data storage)
Titan Vanessa-L Type processor cooling unit (Pretty!)
Plextor Beige SATA DVD burner Model PX-716SA/SW
Logitech G7 cordless Mouse (A gaming luxury really. Totally unnecessary.)
The above items are what I'm looking at to replace. Due to the penguin being the coolest case ever, I likely won't replace it, unless the Titan cooling unit doesn't fit, or the case just doesn't provide enough cooling for the components in general. Besides the case, my primary slot loading DVD player, Audigy I sound card, TruBlu 485W power supply, and M$ keyboard will stay with the package. And eventually I'll probably upgrade my speedpad with an n52.
I was thinking I needed a new icon for such geeking, but upon reflection, I think this one will do. "It's not stupid. It's advanced."
Squee!