[OT] For the techies...

DDR3 is expensive ATM.

Something with the N650i chipset should do. I just built myself a Q6600 based system with 4Gb of DDR2 800 on one of these:

I want another 8800GT for it. :) Elitegroup aren't that well established in the UK but they are quite well known for decent budget stuff in the US.

If you don't have the CPU yet then a G0 stepping Q6600 is a cracker.

Cheers dude. I do have the CPU - I also have 4gb (2x2) of DDR2 - because I thought my Mobo, which supports DDR1/DDR2/AGP/PCIe/QuadCore and Dual Core (so, everything heh) had remapping, but unfortunately, it doesn't :-)

So I need a Mobo that can accomodate my C2D and my new RAM, but I don't mind upgrading my AGP (7600GT) card to PCIe - and oddly, I am looking for an

8800GT 512mb - wanna sell me yours ;-) ? I only use Nvidia cards - no reason, just always have and have always been happy so I don't wanna change to Radeon etc.

CPU is quite new as well, so I don't wanna upgrade that yet, RAM is about 3 days old heh.

Just properly looked at it's specs - that is clearly the mobo for me heh. When I can source a reasonably priced 8800gt 512 (the RRP is £140, I can't find them for sub £170 in stock anywhere due to the demand!), I'll have that mobo, then I'll have a reasonable system.

And in 6 months, I can add 4 more GB of RAM and a Quad Core :-p And SLI the

8800gt :D

If you are talking about PAE mapping then I haven't been able to get that working under Vista 32 so I'm going 64bit over the weekend.

I am Vista 64 - not sure what I mean heh, my brother told me though to run

4gb of Ram I needed a mobo that did some kind of remapping option in the bios - which I don't have, but he does and is running with his - as such my 4gb shows as 3gb, and I kept getting BSOD. So I've taken 1 stick out so I'm just running 1 x 2gb now - which is irritating that I have it here and can't use it.

Catch me on MSN tonight I've been buying quite a few in the last month and can go through them with you.

PAE on 32 bit is semi pointless anyway, as it won't allocate more than 2-3 gig per app anyhow. Enjoy 64 bit, say goodbye to all that lovely compatibility with older software - would suggest if you have two licenses you build it as a dual boot...

I'm probably going to triple boot Vista and XP as I have some stuff that isn't Vista or 64 bit compatible.

I haven't found anything I can't run yet except C&C Red Alert 2. But then, I only really use my PC for the internet and some gaming heh.

Will do dude cheers.

I've been told I'm better of getting on with an Intel chipset as it's more likely to be 100% issue free - which I'm inclined to agree with as this Asrock board I have now does have a few niggles with Vista 64.

I need to run a particular version of solidworks to be compatible with people who haven't upgraded, it doesn't like vista at all.

Pop out, damped, soft to the touch ports and a heated processor massage unit?

-- JackH

Nicely brought back on topic ;-)

However the 5.25" drive bay drawer in my Aluminium tower case isn't damped, or soft touch...

Is this from a new line in 'ideal for the pretentious' products produced by 'Smeg' (1)?

(1) Fnarr, fnarr

-- JackH

Ahhh a solidworx user, so it won't work in Virtual PC either!