True that 45nm processors processors will be out in a few months and I definitely know that I will want it, but as in the PC line there will always be something better down the road. And if you are to wait for “that something to come” it will be replaced in a matter of time too. What’s more with Intel price cuts to current processors, current Intel 65nm processors are going dirt cheap now- my targeted Quad core Q6600 with Asus 5PB motherboard going for $715 contrary to $1400 few months ago. With prices dropping further everyday (and Comdex end of this month) I could see my new system being built with the following upgrade hardly over $1500 for hardware:
- Intel Quad Core Q6600 + Asus P5B Premium Mobo
- Geforce 8800GTS 320MB
- 4GB Patriot Ram (4x1GB)
- Additonal 500GB Hitachi SATA Harddisk (Bringing to 1TB in total)
- Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
That should be more than enough for Quake wars, Unreal Tournament III and Starcraft II. The only thing I worry now is whether my Antec Truepower 480W can support the wattage for QuadCore Systems.
OS-wise I will be opt-ing for Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit with service pack one when it comes out very soon, contrary to the 64-bit I shortlisted before. Theoretically, 64-bit is better technologically, not only bit-wise, but after some research I believe that the effective lifespan of Vista won’t see the light of 64-bit being even implemented so soon. Furthermore with the given the problems of drivers signing, etc. For 64-bit, the safe bet will be the successor of Vista itself which we will see in about 5+ years time (where my next hardware upgrade will also be scheduled).
I consider a somewhat similar upgrade. The current system:
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3500+
Mobo: Asus A8N-SLI DeLuxe (socket 939)
RAM: 2 GB RAM, unknown details
HDD: 74 GB Raptor HDD, 10.000 rpm + 250 GB HDD, 7.200 rpm + 320 GB WD
Graphic Card: Radeon X850XT Platinum Edition (256 MB, 594 MHz)
Sound: SB X-Fi XtremeGamer
Currently running on Vista Ultimate 32-bit, with the cpu as bottleneck. Considering to upgrade with ($830, in Sweden):
Intel Quad Core Q6600 + Asus P5B Premium Mobo
RAM: HyperX – 2×1024 MB DDR2, PC6400 DDR2-800
My concern is if the q6600 will run under Vista 32-bit, and if so, will there be any limitations in performance? I tried Vista 64-bit already and did a role back to XP after three days. 32-bit Vista runs fine though. For more on that see: http://www.daxioncommunity.com/viewtopic.php?t=122
The Q6600 will definitely run fine on vista 32bit, I’ve known a few friends on my side who run that similar config as well withouts and problems.
My concern of 32bit over 64bit is the lack of driver support and we won’t see 64bit being mainstream for vista, by then MS will have a new operating system in place more prepared for 64bit.