Building a new computer

OP, really seems like you want two computers to me. You're planning on putting TWO 48xxs in an HTPC?? You're going to have a hell of a time shoehorning all that into a mATX case without a couple of real turbine fans. It doesn't seem like money is an issue, rock two boxes. Or, if it needs to be one box, at least get full sized case to handle your airflow needs (antec solo is a beast for air and noise).

Also, i7 seems overkill for gaming/movies/etc. Straight Core 2 Duo would be fine, just make sure it's 45 nm. For a dedicated HTPC (and gaming too) the AMD options are very nice. You want high architecture but low power here, you're not doing anything with the CPU and it will keep your total heat/power needs down.

Different strokes and all, but my recent Core 2 build with a big quiet box, big CPU heatsink, and passive cooling on the GPU is the perfect computer for me.

Originally Posted by Tokyo Slim

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Your question, if you were halfway intelligent would have answered itself by now. Can you run modern hardware on Win98SE? No.

So you will be running and older, slower, single core processor. I'm not sure why that's so hard to figure out.

Don't worry about it.

Isn't it obvious? He'll just write code and drivers for Win98SE to utilize all 4 cores in an i7 and support a Radeon HD 5870.

Originally Posted by whiteslashasian

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Don't worry about it.

Isn't it obvious? He'll just write code and drivers for Win98SE to utilize all 4 cores in an i7 and support a Radeon HD 5870.

Rewriting the OS Kernel from the ground up is, from what I understand, what it would take to utilize multi core architecture. It's not as simple as writing a driver or a patch. That's part of the reason why Windows switched to the NT Kernel with Win2k. When you have to rewrite the OS, You aren't really running it anymore, now are you.

Originally Posted by Alias

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Guys his name is coldarchon. He probably LARPs.

Originally Posted by Tokyo Slim

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Rewriting the OS Kernel from the ground up is, from what I understand, is what it would take to utilize multi core architecture. It's not as simple as writing a driver or a patch. That's part of the reason why Windows switched to the NT Kernel with Win2k. When you have to rewrite the OS, You aren't really running it anymore, now are you.

I can foresee the reply:

Originally Posted by coldarchon

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Lighting bolt! Lighting bolt! ...

Originally Posted by Piobaire

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I can foresee the reply:

Originally Posted by coldarchon

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Lighting bolt! Lighting bolt! ...


Genius.

Originally Posted by Tokyo Slim

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So you will be running and older, slower, single core processor. I'm not sure why that's so hard to figure out.

just in case you didn't know, single core processors are faster than each core of multi-core processors of personal computers of today. so by your words the multi-cores are weaker, by my definition they are better .

and yes, I'm waiting that you show me where I said you need weaker processors ..

Originally Posted by whiteslashasian

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I forgot that a c64 will run winamp 5, opera 10 with 12 tabs open, several IM programs, run video compression while playing Crysis at the same time too. I also forgot that I can do all this on my PS3.

very funny, no wait - it's not. sry you didn't get the point ..

Originally Posted by whiteslashasian

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I built a performance PC to play all the games I want at the frame rates I want and with the image quality I want (TAA, DX10, and HIGH resolutions; most console games do not render at 1080p) along with being able to store, play, and more importantly edit all my multimedia and come in a non-cumbersome package (let's face it, those console OS's are not built well for all of these things). Has it occurred to you that the OP wants to do all these things as well?

it did my friend when I said I rest my case. because your computer is just there to show off ..

Originally Posted by whiteslashasian

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Also, have you ever played a first person shooter on a console? It's the worst experience imaginable.

oh I played goldeneye for a while, it became game of the year for every system although it was only released on the n64 ..

Originally Posted by coldarchon

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just in case you didn't know, single core processors are faster than each core of multi-core processors of personal computers of today. so by your words the multi-cores are weaker, by my definition they are better .
Um... WHAT? Seriously, you have no idea what you are talking about.

Originally Posted by coldarchon

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just in case you didn't know, single core processors are faster than each core of multi-core processors of personal computers of today.
This is a meaningless observation. and no they aren't. And even the few single core processors that do have higher clock speeds, (which I take it is what you mean) have much fewer instructions per clock and do much less than a single lower clocked C2D or i7 core. Combine that with the fact that you generally will never run a multi-core processor as if it were a single core processor, and the processing advantages of multi-core are even more apparent. Things like current games, for example, run BETTER on multi-core processors because modern games are essentially multi-tasking environments. Which is kind of the point.

Originally Posted by coldarchon

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and yes, I'm waiting that you show me where I said you need weaker processors ...
Right here:

Originally Posted by coldarchon

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win98se is the best version for gaming and watching videos.
You cannot use Win98SE and run modern hardware. Win98SE=slower, older hardware. Therefore it CANNOT be the be the "best" for gaming, because it won't play modern games. I believe I've said this four times or so already. This is the last time I'm going to say it. Please "Get it" this time.

Originally Posted by coldarchon

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just in case you didn't know, single core processors are faster than each core of multi-core processors of personal computers of today. so by your words the multi-cores are weaker, by my definition they are better .

and yes, I'm waiting that you show me where I said you need weaker processors ..

Obviously if you live in coldarchonland weaker processors mean everything in the world because anything faster is showing off.

very funny, no wait - it's not. sry you didn't get the point ..

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Funnier than you, actually. And you've missed the entire point of the thread.

it did my friend when I said I rest my case. because your computer is just there to show off ..

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Don't hate because his rig is more awesome than yours running Windows 98.

oh I played goldeneye for a while, it became game of the year for every system although it was only released on the n64 ..

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Yeah, you have no idea what you're talking about.

Goldeneye port running on the Xbox 360: Crysis running on a computer:

For what it's worth, I just put a bunch of new **** in my computer. As soon as I backup all my files, I'll be doing a clean Win7 install.

Originally Posted by Tokyo Slim

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For what it's worth, I just put a bunch of new **** in my computer. As soon as I backup all my files, I'll be doing a clean Win7 install.

Quick update:

Finalized on below specs. After all the input and also a lot of limiting factors regarding to video card length and cases - I decided to go for a smaller midtower on an standard ATX board. Case is a coolermaster 335.

HSI ATI 5850 : The cost difference really wasn't that much vs Xfired 48XX's. Also the 5870's cost >100 USD more expensive ouch

2x500gb Raid 0: Couldn't find too much information on Raid 0 2xHDD's vs single SSD. But i'm paying ~150USD less for 2 HDD's with 900 gb more space on Raid 0 than a single SSD. Performance wise apparently is not too much difference? Can't find anything online to compare this scenario. Odd.

Gigabyte X58 Mobo
i7 920
6 gb DDR3

Gonna pick up my stuff tonight if I have the time

P.S. Windows 7 cost me a whole lot more than I expected! Jeebies. Costs close to 300 USD in HKG for Windows 7 Pro.

Originally Posted by Toiletduck

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P.S. Windows 7 cost me a whole lot more than I expected! Jeebies. Costs close to 300 USD in HKG for Windows 7 Pro.

Why do you need Pro?

Originally Posted by Tokyo Slim

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Why do you need Pro?

Good question. I don't know. Just looked it up and prolly won't need Pro. Lemme adjust my order