Mystikmind Mystikmind

advice on computer upgrade?

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advice on computer upgrade?

from Elemental Forums

looking at upgrading my 4 year old computer - specifically so i can use larger maps in FE without crashing mid game. Same for Dreadlords.

 

It is not that i need a faster computer, the speed is fine, stability is the issue here. Currently i'm running Vista home premium 64 bit, 2.4 GHz Quad core, NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT graphics. It is a bit of an obstinate, over sensitive uncooperative system which spent the past 4 years forcing me to dumb down every bios and other settings available to make the system more slow to maintain some semblance of stability. This system sorely needs throwing out my window with extreme prejudice!

I suspect Vista is the main problem, so i may just need a new operating system? Next best thing i want to upgrade is the motherboard.... the thing made electrical fizzing noises right before the onboard sound died! Dunno if shoving a PCI sound card in it will work? So what's a good motherboard still compatible with 4 year old junk?

 

 

89,813 views 28 replies
Reply #26 from Elemental Forums Top

USB instead of IDE? not too bad an idea, except that in my experience USB tend to be just that tiny bit too eager to think up intangible ways to be annoying.... and once it does find a way to be annoying, it is really hard to fix.... due to the basic lack of possible causes. Kindof like throwing an apple in the air and it gets stuck there! how? why? oh no reason at all, its just stuck there, in mid air for absolutely no reason at all, so ergo, how do you fix it????????

I just don't trust USB, not with anything more complex than a mouse or keyboard!

 

What is a CoA? is that like an OEM?

Reply #27 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I trust USB with my data. I use an external hard drive connected via USB. Never had any issues. Ever. COA stands for Certificate Of Authenticity. It's a little sticker that comes with the purchase of Windows and it has the 25 digit code used to activate Windows on it along with a hologram of holographic strip to show it's authentic.

Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #28 from Sins Forums Top

unfortunately usb is a 'throw and forget' protocol(port), so it is up to the drivers and operating system to do the error checking AND packet sequencing, there are other protocols(ports) that DO have error checking and packet sequencing, but they are uncommon on budget motherboards (eg firewire, ethernet)

harpo