Final Computer Check

NeciFiX

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Hi, I sent this E-Mail to a friend, however, it has taken him awhile to respond and I'd prefer it if I just got a quick response from here.

Also, my sound card, the M-Audio Revolution 7.1, does not have working drivers for Windows Vista Ultimate SP1, only regular Vista w/o the Service Pack. Is there any way I can get Windows Vista Ultimate and then remove the service pack?

Thanks,

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Here are my questions:

1) How do I wipe my C:/ Drive of an Operating System? Right now, I have Windows XP Home Edition SP3 on it and I want to get rid of all the data... it won't let me system restore back to factory settings.

2) Here is my entire system in general, with extended 1-year warranties on the motherboard, processor and power supply, I hit $596.04 or something, which is perfect since I have a $600.00 spending limit. Tell me if it is all good, please help me make sure that all parts are compatible with each other and that the power supply is strong enough to power the entire system, I got the power supply w/ free shipping AND a -$25.00 promo-code which is awesome.

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146025 - Looks sexy, is cheaper than the Antec 900, is roomy, has good reviews and is pretty mid-priced.

Processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037 - Well, seeing how Quad-Core is much more expensive than dual core, and many games/programs can't even take advantage of quad-core processors, I got the E8400 Dual Core Wolfdale Processor, it's a very sexy and very powerful dual-core processor, the best bang for the buck, only the E8500 and E8600 are better, and the only difference is their clock speeds, I can easily overclock the E8400 far past even the E8600's 3.33 GHz and the E8600 is over $200.00. I have a 1-year extended warranty on it.

Power Supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182017 - I was told 500 Watts is perfect, but, I wanted to be extra-safe and got 50 extra watts, and this has a huge discount, free shipping, and hundreds of 5 and 4 egg reviews. I have a 1-year extended warranty on it.

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299 - ASUS has pretty good quality motherboards, and this can support up to 8 GB's of DDR2 1200 RAM, making it highly customizable. 4 GB is the maximum anybody would ever need in this day and age, so, in the next couple of years when 8 GB is the thing, I'll have the room for it. Has 2x PCI-Express 2.0 slots, looks hot, 8x SATA2 slots, which is fucking awesome since I have a few SATA disk and HDD drives that I have been unable to install on my current PC due to the fact that I only have TWO SATA ports on my current Dell's Mobo. Has good reviews, the only scary possibility is the video not showing up, according to a scarce few 1-egg reports, though, it has huge amounts of 5 and 4 star ratings, so, hopefully it goes well. It's pretty mid-ranged price w/ a rebate. I have a 1-year extended warranty on it.

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122 - I know, 4 GB. I don't want a 64-Bit OS though, so, I might lose 512 MB or so, making it only read as 3.5 GB, which is fine with me. This is basic DDR2 800 RAM PC2-6400 at a good price with many good ratings, perfect for my budget.

Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161249 - A good budget video card w/ a mail in rebate. Has good core and memory clock speeds, 512 MB is nice, 128 bit is fine, I'd prefer 256 bit but that'd hit $100 and I'd go over the limit. It has a very sexy cooling system on it which will not only cool my video card but my case too, has good ratings, it's a pretty good mid-range video card that will support everything I want it to play with good head-room and comfortable FPS.

Disk Drives - I have a SATA disk drive and a second IDE disk drive already, so, I do not need to buy any.

HDD Drives - I have a 150 GB SATA HDD and a 250 GB SATA HDD already, I plan to clear the 150 GB and re-install another OS on it and use it on my new comp, and the 250 GB as extra-storage, and to back up all my data from the C:/ Drive, smart thinking, eh? My only worry is that my drives MIGHT be only 5400 RPM, making them somewhat outdated, however, I don't restart my computer often so the load up times can be a bit slow.

Sound Card - Already got it, I have a M-Audio Revolution 7.1 PCI Card, some people have a lot of trouble getting it to work in Vista, but, their website shows it working, so, hopefully I'll get it to work using their Vista 32-bit drivers.

Accessories:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811998121b - 3rd Fan for my Case.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835202006 - Just in case I need to re-seat my processor.

Will my 550 Watt PSU do a good job at powering it all? Is it all compatible? Please double check on the compatibility part, customer service and I don't mix and it'd probably take me awhile to send the parts back in for compatible parts, sorry for making you do so much, but, I have been posting a lot on Chronic Blog! :)

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Thanks, I really need help on the bolded part.
 
looks good. i have the same power supply and it looks sharp in the case. i do have the antec 900 though. if u can spare it i would go with the antec case, it looks so gooood.
 
1) How do I wipe my C:/ Drive of an Operating System? Right now, I have Windows XP Home Edition SP3 on it and I want to get rid of all the data... it won't let me system restore back to factory settings.
From your existing drive? When you reinstall Windows, the hard drive will automatically be reformatted.
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811146025 - Looks sexy, is cheaper than the Antec 900, is roomy, has good reviews and is pretty mid-priced.
After looking closer at this case, I'd recommend the Cooler Master RC-690 over it. It has the PSU at the bottom, which means the PSU isn't going to have hot air passing through it from the other components. I really like the motherboard tray fan placement, and it has tool free drive installation unlike the NZXT.
Power Supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817182017 - I was told 500 Watts is perfect, but, I wanted to be extra-safe and got 50 extra watts, and this has a huge discount, free shipping, and hundreds of 5 and 4 egg reviews. I have a 1-year extended warranty on it.
I'd honestly feel a lot more comfortable with a 500W OCZ PSU than a 550W Newegg brand PSU. Just because a PSU is rated at 550W, doesn't mean it's going to always deliver that power under certain conditions.
120mm > 80mm.

And do you already have an OS? If not, I'd highly recommend Vista 64 bit over 32 bit. If you're worried about incompatibility etc, I can say from first hand experience that it's non-existent, and I can use 4GB of RAM! :)
 
I'm pretty sure that Vista Pre SP1 drivers will work on Vista SP1, my Creative Sound Blaster X-FI Xtreme Gamer is using pre SP1 drivers and I have SP1. I really don't think a service pack would make a difference.
 
I'm pretty sure that Vista Pre SP1 drivers will work on Vista SP1, my Creative Sound Blaster X-FI Xtreme Gamer is using pre SP1 drivers and I have SP1. I really don't think a service pack would make a difference.

it shouldnt, service packs are mainly a bunch of fixes in a executable file.
 
To be honest, I'll stick with the Rosewill... I like the LED light and it's got a good price, I got a 1 year warranty on it just in case.

Does all of this look compatible with each other? I am about to submit my order, and, boy, am I nervous!
 
i wouldnt get that case as has a random generic PSU, in my opinion, i would stick with your case and PSU, you don't need LED's becuase you would barely be able to see them over the fan lights.
 
i wouldnt get that case as has a random generic PSU, in my opinion, i would stick with your case and PSU, you don't need LED's becuase you would barely be able to see them over the fan lights.

I am done choosing parts, what I got now is what I'm getting... is all of it compatible?

I have bought the parts. Please tell me right now if something is incompatible and I will try and change it. Thank you! Wish me luck, please!
 
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