I have some second thoughts about my advice in my first reply (below).

At the time of my purchase, there was only one way to go - with a motherboard that used the Nvidia 780 chipset to support their SLI 
graphics cards.  Since then, ATI has come out with competitive graphics cards that might run on one of the Intel chipsets.  Also, if 
you are not looking at a high-end graphics solution (gamer graphics), then you might be able to find a motherboard that works better 
with the Quad chips.  So, you need to do your homework by reading the reviews on Tom's Hardware Guide, Anantec, ExtremeTech, and 
whatever else is available then decide what you really want.

1) At this time, unless you have a specific piece of software in mind, the 32bit operating systems will do just fine and may save 
you some grief.  By the time that the 64 bit software is widely used and the 32 bit operating system is dated, whatever you buy now 
will be way out of date anyway.  That includes the operating system!

2) There is little available that uses the Quad Core processor- again, unless you have a specific application in mind, the dual core 
processors will do fine.

3) I recommend one of the 45 nm Intel chips.  There is little reason to buy any other.

4) There is a new architecture coming from Intel toward the end of the year.  It is called Nehalem.  Tom's Hardware Guide has had 
some info on it in the last week or so.  If you spend a lot of money on a new computer, built or bought, its architecture will be 
dated within the year.  Its contents will be dated in months.

My advice is tainted.  I spent a lot of money on fancy equipment from ASUS and Nvidia for both myself and my wife (we got identical 
systems), and I feel that they both have let me down.  I have seen people with the dual core processors very happy with the same 
motherboard that I have been having frequent crashes with.  So, I am a bit biased against the quad-core 45nm chip systems.  I'll 
have second thoughts about ASUS and Nvidia in the future, too!!  BTW, my wife's computer also crashes maybe once a day, not as much 
as mine does.  She has been able to finish "The Witcher" and much of "Assassin's Creed" without too much trouble.  However, my 
problems are well documented by others - we did not get the only systems with trouble.  If you get a complete system from a system 
builder, you might not run into the same problems.  Of course, it would not have the same hardware. :)

Dean Kukral


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dean Kukral" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2008 4:13 PM
Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] Vista 32 bit w/ Core 2 Duo OR Vista 64 w/ Core 2 Quad?


I strongly advise against the quad core processor.   (You did not specify which processor.)  I built two computers using the Intel
QX9650 45nm processor in the early part of the year.  I used Vista 32bit an ASUS motherboard ($350) and an ASUS EN8800GTX video card
on each.  I also used Asus-recommended memory.  I have had nothing but trouble with both of these builds as have many others who
used this motherboard.  On the other hand, users who used the Wolfdale dual core 45nam processors seem to report little trouble.

If I could go back to January, I most certainly would not make the same mistake!!

I get multiple crashes per day.  Norton will inevitably crash during its daily virus check if other programs are running at the same
time.

My wife had XP Home installed on her computer, and she has been able to experience fewer crashes.

My advice is to use one of the 45nm two-core processors, and Vista 32 bit.  You will be very happy and will save a bundle!  Whatever
you get will be "dated" three months after you buy it. :(

Dean Kukral

PS: If anybody reads of a motherboard that will work well with the 45nm quad-core processors (not from a tester, but from users,
preferably gamers) please let me know off-list.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Waddell" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2008 3:08 PM
Subject: [PCBUILD] Vista 32 bit w/ Core 2 Duo OR Vista 64 w/ Core 2 Quad?


Need advice on what OS and processor to get with a new computer. Choices are the Vista 32 bit OS with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor
and 3 GB memory OR Vista 64 bit with an Intel Core 2 Quad processor and 4 GB memory.

Have heard the 64 bit and quad processor is a hedge against future technology but that some older and current programs do not work
well. The 32 bit and dual is a sure bet but may be outdated sooner than the 64 bit.

Thanks,

Tom

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