Hardware questions

I'd like to build a system around Vista next year.

Does anybody know about a site or can supply details that recommend hardware
well suited to Vista?

Should I go with AMD or Intel? 32 bit VS 64 bit? The machine is for software
development, but would also like to have the ability to load some games
every once in a while. Software includes .Net, MS Office, SQL Server, etc.
Basically, MS-centric software.

Thanks for any info.

Tim

"Tim Zych" <tzych@nononononEarth__LinkDotNet> wrote in message
news:ujSCbrrFHHA.4464@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> I'd like to build a system around Vista next year.
>
> Does anybody know about a site or can supply details that recommend
> hardware
> well suited to Vista?


The little details don't really matter. Almost anything made today
will run Vista without issues. In fact, I have a computer here that is
several years old and it runs Vista just fine, but that's probably
because it has a gig of memory. This main computer is a high
performance dual-core system and Vista just flies on it.

I suggest you wait until you're almost ready to buy, then look at
what's available. What gets recommended now will be replaced with
better choices in a few months time. It'll be replaced two or three
times in six months, etc.

> Should I go with AMD or Intel? 32 bit VS 64 bit?

Again, AMD or Intel doesn't really matter. There's no sense in buying
a 32-bit system, so look at the 64-bit chips and buy whatever is
priced right. Unless you're a hardcore gamer, in which case you'll
want a fast CPU and a blazing video card.

"Tim Zych" <tzych@nononononEarth__LinkDotNet> wrote in message
news:ujSCbrrFHHA.4464@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> I'd like to build a system around Vista next year.
>
> Does anybody know about a site or can supply details that recommend
> hardware
> well suited to Vista?
>
> Should I go with AMD or Intel? 32 bit VS 64 bit? The machine is for
> software
> development, but would also like to have the ability to load some games
> every once in a while. Software includes .Net, MS Office, SQL Server, etc.
> Basically, MS-centric software.
>
> Thanks for any info.
>
> Tim
>
>

I would go Intels new duo core ( at the moment its the kick arse CPU but
things could change , 2 gig of ram & and as for graphics card it will
depend on your wallet but dont go for two ( sli or crossfire mode ). At
the moment the ATI drivers are better for Vuista but when the retail version
for home units hits the market things will chnge

64 bit is not exactly setting the world on fire and unless you have a very
good reason I would stick to a 32 bit system

Anyway, things may change depending on when "nest year " means but waiting
a little bit longer after Vista is available things may be clearer.

Hi Tim,

I'm a long time AMD fan, and have few issues with their processors on a good
board. But I also know many who swear by Intels. I'd recommend a solid 1GB
or better of ram that's as fast as the board will allow. ATI is a bit ahead
of Nvidia when it comes to keeping their customers happy with driver
updates.

As you are into dev, stick with 32-bit. Besides, the biggest problem with
x64 is not installing and running software, it's with device driver support
for the hardware.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

"Tim Zych" <tzych@nononononEarth__LinkDotNet> wrote in message
news:ujSCbrrFHHA.4464@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> I'd like to build a system around Vista next year.
>
> Does anybody know about a site or can supply details that recommend
> hardware
> well suited to Vista?
>
> Should I go with AMD or Intel? 32 bit VS 64 bit? The machine is for
> software
> development, but would also like to have the ability to load some games
> every once in a while. Software includes .Net, MS Office, SQL Server, etc.
> Basically, MS-centric software.
>
> Thanks for any info.
>
> Tim
>
>

will_s wrote:
>
> 64 bit is not exactly setting the world on fire and unless you have a
> very good reason I would stick to a 32 bit system
>

This is very poor advice but it may be moot anyway. It would be very hard to
find a 32 bit CPU. Almost all current CPUs are 64 bit. I agree that there is
more support for 32 bit Vista, especially drivers, but I would not recommend
buying 32 bit hardware at this point in time. 32 bit Vista runs just fine on
64 bit hardware. Buying 32 bit hardware now will severely limit your upgrade
possibilities in the future.

--
Kerry
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
www.vistahelp.ca

Tim Zych wrote:
> I'd like to build a system around Vista next year.
>
> Does anybody know about a site or can supply details that recommend
> hardware well suited to Vista?
>
> Should I go with AMD or Intel? 32 bit VS 64 bit? The machine is for
> software development, but would also like to have the ability to load
> some games every once in a while. Software includes .Net, MS Office,
> SQL Server, etc. Basically, MS-centric software.
>
> Thanks for any info.
>
> Tim

Intel Core 2 Duo CPUs have the edge in performance right now but unless you
need every last bit of speed you won't notice much difference between AMD
and Intel. Make sure the CPU supports 64 bit. Get at least 2 GB of RAM. Get
the largest hard drive you can afford. Make sure the video card or chip
supports Aero Glass. Here's a configuration I just built for a customer. I
tested both 64 bit and 32 bit Vista RTM versions on it. Both ran very well.
He took delivery with XP Home and plans to upgrade to Vista Home Premium as
soon as it's available.

Gigabyte GA-965-DQ6 motherboard (Windows Vista Premium logo certified,
supports quad core processors)

Intel Core2 Duo E6600 CPU

4 GB Kingston DDR2(667)

Gigabyte GeForce NX7600GS PCI-EX with 512 MB DDR

520 watt PSU

The rest is pretty generic stuff. It does have a very nice Gigabyte Poseidon
aluminium case which cools very well and is reasonably quiet.

I have also tested both Vista 32 and 64 bit on the following and both ran
very well. This would meet all your needs except for high end games. Most
games would play fine. This is an example of a current low end machine. I
sell a lot of these to small businesses but usually with only 512 MB or 1 GB
of RAM.

Gigabyte GA-M51GM-S2G motherboard

AMD Sempron AM2 3000+

2 GB Kingston DDR2(667)

GF-6100 graphics on the motherboard

The drives, keyboards, speakers, etc. aren't really relevant to Vista. The
key is a decent motherboard, video that supports Aero Glass, and 2 GB of
RAM.

--
Kerry
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
www.vistahelp.ca

Tim Zych wrote:
> I'd like to build a system around Vista next year.
>
> Does anybody know about a site or can supply details that recommend
> hardware well suited to Vista?

At the moment, right here is as good a place as any.

> Should I go with AMD or Intel?

Should I put cheese or meat in this sandwich. It's a matter of taste.

Right now, the Intel Core2Duo chips have the edge for performance, energy
use, etc. but the situation may well have changed by the time you actually
come to lay down the cash for your system. Fact is, as long as you buy one
of the most up to date range, you'll be getting a pretty good processor
whatever manufacturer has their name printed on the box.

> 32 bit VS 64 bit?

Your post says "hardware" so that's what my reply will focus on.
Unless you go well into the budget range (and even then it might be a
struggle) it's getting harder and harder to buy chips that cannot do both.
It makes no sense to buy a 32bit only chip right now, that's for sure.

As for what version of windows to install, 32bit windows or 64bit, well that
depends on whether or not the software you run will take advantage of 64 bit
systems, and whether or not all your software will run in 64 bit. (you did
mention games...)

> The machine is for
> software development, but would also like to have the ability to load
> some games every once in a while. Software includes .Net, MS Office,
> SQL Server, etc. Basically, MS-centric software.

Development and SQL might well push me towards a 64 bit OS, to be honest,
but again your post talked about hardware so sticking with that, you can get
systems that can run both equally well and then you can maybe see what
version makes the most sense to you. Even if 32bit Windows makes the most
sense now, that will most likely change soon enough.

Rob