Computers Finally going 64-bit, any suggestions?

keg in kc · 08-24-2011, 12:17 PM

Recently updated the studio to CS 5.5, and since I also need to be able to work from home, I'm going from Win 7 Home Premium 32-bit to Professional 64-bit on my own machine next week. I realize this will require a clean install, so I'll be copying anything that needs to be transferred over the weekend. Beyond that just thought I'd ask if anybody had any helpful recommendations or hints that I might not think of on my own...

Thanks in advance, or bite me, whichever is pertinent.

Pants · 08-24-2011, 12:18 PM

Just curious, what's your processor?

keg in kc · 08-24-2011, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pants

Just curious, what's your processor?

I'm at work now, but from memory it's an AMD athlon 2 x4 620. Quad-core card from when I built the machine in '09. It does have 64-bit support. Along with the win 7 upgrade, I'm also quadrupling my ram, from 4 GB (minimum specs for the software) to 16. Processor, video card and probably motherboard I'll look at in the spring, if there's enough work that I have some extra cash on hand (it's been a bad fall...).

Work's paying for the OS and the RAM.

Pitt Gorilla · 08-24-2011, 12:31 PM

Pants · 08-24-2011, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I'm at work now, but from memory it's an AMD athlon 2 x4 620. Quad-core card from when I built the machine in '09. It does have 64-bit support. Along with the win 7 upgrade, I'm also quadrupling my ram, from 4 GB (minimum specs for the software) to 16. Processor, video card and probably motherboard I'll look at in the spring, if there's enough work that I have some extra cash on hand (it's been a bad fall...).

Work's paying for the OS and the RAM.

Hah, that's awesome. Did you build your comp in 09 with DDR3 RAM in mind or is it a DDR2 mobo? The reason I'm asking is that once you upgrade your mobo in the Spring, it'll porbably be DDR3 and if you have DDR2 RAM now, it will be useless. Tell your work that it would probably be cheaper to buy a new mobo with 16 gigs of DDR3 RAM than 12 more gigs of DDR2 RAM alone (that way you can get the mobo for free too!).

Of course if you're running DDR3 right now, forget I said anything and congrats on getting a sweet upgrade for free.

keg in kc · 08-24-2011, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pants

Hah, that's awesome. Did you build your comp in 09 with DDR3 RAM in mind or is it a DDR2 mobo? The reason I'm asking is that once you upgrade your mobo in the Spring, it'll porbably be DDR3 and if you have DDR2 RAM now, it will be useless. Tell your work that it would probably be cheaper to buy a new mobo with 16 gigs of DDR3 RAM than 12 more gigs of DDR2 RAM alone (that way you can get the mobo for free too!).

Of course if you're running DDR3 right now, forget I said anything and congrats on getting a sweet upgrade for free.

I have DDR2 ram now, but the new ram is DDR3. The old mobo is an AM3 so it can go either way. (I couldn't even find 4 gb ddr2 sticks - not that I looked all that hard...)

Pants · 08-24-2011, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I have DDR2 ram now, but the new ram is DDR3. The old mobo is an AM3 so it can go either way. (I couldn't even find 4 gb ddr2 sticks - not that I looked all that hard...)

Sweet.

keg in kc · 08-24-2011, 12:55 PM

The main reason I want to upgrade the mobo is because the one I have now doesn't have enough pcie slots to let me crossfire a pair of radeon cards.

Pants · 08-24-2011, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

The main reason I want to upgrade the mobo is because the one I have now doesn't have enough pcie slots to let me crossfire a pair of radeon cards.

A couple of 6950's would be uber nice and too outrageous as far as pricing goes, I guess. I just got a second 6870 for myself for like $159 after the rebate. You simply can't beat that kind of performance per dollar ratio.

keg in kc · 08-24-2011, 01:45 PM

Yeah, I'm a big radeon fan now. I'm still running the 5770 I got for (I think) $170 when I built the system 2 years ago, back when they were brand new, and I've never had even a hint of a problem with it.

That's the thing with video cards. I don't really need a new one, exactly, but I always want to get one anyway.

Pants · 08-24-2011, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

Yeah, I'm a big radeon fan now. I'm still running the 5770 I got for (I think) $170 when I built the system 2 years ago, back when they were brand new, and I've never had even a hint of a problem with it.

That's the thing with video cards. I don't really need a new one, exactly, but I always want to get one anyway.

Hah! That's why they make so many of them. They know people can't resist that upgrade draw.

Fish · 08-24-2011, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

The main reason I want to upgrade the mobo is because the one I have now doesn't have enough pcie slots to let me crossfire a pair of radeon cards.

Be sure your current power supply can handle that. For a Crossfire setup, you'll be pulling a lot of juice. I'd recommend at least 600W.

**loochy** · 08-26-2011, 10:18 AM

Tip:

Make sure you know how to use MS Virtual Machine / XP mode to run old software that doesn't work with Windows 7 or 64 bit.

**loochy** · 08-26-2011, 10:19 AM

I have a feeling that somebody want a new rig to play BF3 next month....

Pants · 08-26-2011, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loochy

Tip:

Make sure you know how to use MS Virtual Machine / XP mode to run old software that doesn't work with Windows 7 or 64 bit.

Does Win 7 not have two separate Program Files folders for 32 and 64 bit?

(I'm running Vista on mine)

08-24-2011, 12:17 PM
keg in kc oxymoron Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: OP/KC/Whatever Casino cash: $9556299	Finally going 64-bit, any suggestions? Recently updated the studio to CS 5.5, and since I also need to be able to work from home, I'm going from Win 7 Home Premium 32-bit to Professional 64-bit on my own machine next week. I realize this will require a clean install, so I'll be copying anything that needs to be transferred over the weekend. Beyond that just thought I'd ask if anybody had any helpful recommendations or hints that I might not think of on my own... Thanks in advance, or bite me, whichever is pertinent.
Posts: 58,682

08-24-2011, 12:18 PM	#2
Pants Time Keeps On Slipping Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $5719900	Just curious, what's your processor? __________________ "Turn the channel to 26!"
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08-24-2011, 12:31 PM	#4
Pitt Gorilla Banned! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NOT Columbia, MO 65201 Casino cash: $2990194	__________________ Your son is a bench warmer because of your weak genetics not because of the coach Norlin Mommsen is disgusting.
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08-24-2011, 12:55 PM	#8
keg in kc oxymoron Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: OP/KC/Whatever Casino cash: $9556299	The main reason I want to upgrade the mobo is because the one I have now doesn't have enough pcie slots to let me crossfire a pair of radeon cards.
Posts: 58,682

08-24-2011, 01:45 PM	#10
keg in kc oxymoron Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: OP/KC/Whatever Casino cash: $9556299	Yeah, I'm a big radeon fan now. I'm still running the 5770 I got for (I think) $170 when I built the system 2 years ago, back when they were brand new, and I've never had even a hint of a problem with it. That's the thing with video cards. I don't really need a new one, exactly, but I always want to get one anyway.
Posts: 58,682

08-26-2011, 10:18 AM	#13
loochy Hey Loochy, I'm hooome! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PooPooKaKaPeePeeShire Casino cash: $2180752	Tip: Make sure you know how to use MS Virtual Machine / XP mode to run old software that doesn't work with Windows 7 or 64 bit. __________________ Hey Loochy, I'm hoooome!
Posts: 40,449

08-26-2011, 10:19 AM	#14
loochy Hey Loochy, I'm hooome! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PooPooKaKaPeePeeShire Casino cash: $2180752	I have a feeling that somebody want a new rig to play BF3 next month.... __________________ Hey Loochy, I'm hoooome!
Posts: 40,449