Questions about Configuration

[Xesar]

I'm looking at getting a Prelude from Maingear. Here are my specs:

Prelude Black Case
750W PS
Asus P5N-E
E6600 (2.4GHz)
Intel Quiet CPU Cooler
4GB corsair XMS2 PC2 6400
WD 250GB
20X DVD+/-RW
NVIDIA GeForce 8800GTS 320MB
Onboard 8-channel audio
Dual Gigabit LAN
Vista Home Premium
3 Year Warranty

Here's what I do with my computer:
World of Warcraft
Vent (for gaming)
MS Office apps for work
E-Mail
Internet
Rip and Burn Audio CDs (using Nero)
Burn DVDs for image back of hard drive (using Symantec Ghost)
McAfee Security Suite

** No overclocking of CPU

I want this computer to last 2 to 3 years. The only upgrades I may want to do will be a video card upgrade depending upon my gaming. Audio quality is not a major concern.

I currently have 19" LCD, but I am in the market for a 22" widescreen LCD monitor.

Any suggestions concerning my configuration?

[theDreamer]

Looks very good overall.
Only thing is 4gigs of ram will not be fully used unless you have a 64bit OS, now it will use ~3.2 (plus or minus a bit) so overall you will using most of it. Though for the items you are using it for you do not really need it.

[Xesar]

Hmm, okay, if I won't be using the full 4GB, can I get away with 2GB? The bump up in cost for 4GB is a lot.

[theDreamer]

2gigs currently seems to have become the "standard" on any gaming machine. The reason I say no for 4gigs is you must have the 64bit OS, plus you need software/games that will take advantage of it. Otherwise it is overkill; plus you can always add two sticks of 512 putting you at 3gigs which a 32bit OS can read.

[RottynDawg]

I agree completely with Dreamer; for what you plan to use the computer for the money you're spending for 4GB could go in your pocket :) That computer will eat WOW for lunch and most games in at least the next year.

[Xesar]

Thank you both! By adding a third party memory in addition to what Maingear puts in, does that void my warranty with them like it would with Dell? I always have to be on the look out for that "void the warranty" thing.

[Plan1x]

No it will not void the warranty but we will not support any configuration of it or warrant that ram. The rest of that machine's warranty will stay intact. Do not mix brands of ram and make sure they are the same size and speed as the brand we have installed.

[Xesar]

Well, I did it. My order is placed. Thank you again for the recommendations regarding the memory. That was an enormous savings and will actually help me get my new 22" monitor sooner rather than later!

[theDreamer]

Glad we could help, now the wonderful part...waiting. :twisted:

[Xesar]

I get home from work and surprise!

HAPPINESS
:D My new Maingear computer has arrived today
:D Packaging is thorough (although I hate the peanuts, I understand why they're there). Connect keyboard, mouse, and monitor. It looks great, and the Vista boot up screen zips by. I connect to the internet and do some quick browsing. It's flying!!! Time for dinner after a long day at work. I'm about to power down the machine when I notice... Oh, Windows has updates??? Hmm, my system shipped last Monday and today is Friday. There are 9 updates in the last 5 days? Oh well, I'll let the machine do its thing.

FRUSTRATION
10 minutes...hmm, still attempting to install Vista Update 1, I'll just check on my food.
20 minutes...still installing Update 1, hard drive light is blinking activity, and now concern starting to set in
30 minutes...monitor has timed out, and still installing Update 1, re-open Maingear provided binder in panic...dinner is forgotten...
45 minutes...still installing Update 1, uncertain if I should wait longer or do the unthinkable of powering down the computer mid-update.
60 minutes...monitor has timed out again...hard drive light is blinking activity...still installing Update 1. Dinner is cold, and now I'm angry.

ANGER
:x 75 minutes...still installing Windows Vista Update 1...press the dreaded power button, and computer powers off. Reboot system to BSOD.
:x 90 minutes...after waiting and trying to reboot again...still a Blue Screen...decide only recourse is to recover...insert Recovery Discs

DISAPPOINTMENT
:cry: 135 minutes...Recovery complete and system reboots...Vista loads again and I see that the Updates are being redownloaded. I post to the Maingear Forums while it does.
:cry: 145 minutes...Windows Vista Updates have been downloaded...it's time for the reboot...

To Be Continued...

[theDreamer]

Hmmm...I want to say it might be a Windows thing with the downloading, glad to hear you got your machine, hope you get it all updated quickly.

[RottynDawg]

Sorry to hear about the issues Xesar. The second Tuesday of each month is indeed when Microsoft releases patches so that is why you got so many. Hope your computer is up and running shortly!

[Xesar]

Windows Vista Update complete (decided I really needed to eat some food and 2 1/2 hours of sleep later)...off to 9 CDs of WoW/Burning Crusade later, finally updating to WoW patch 2.1 and...

BLUE SCREEN!!! :cry:

Wait...Reboot...

Patch 2.1 et al for WoW loads...now the test, can I log in?

YES! JOY! :lol:

I am VERY concerned with the amount of Blue Screens within the first 24 hours of owning this Maingear computer (sadly, I can't even say it's mine yet). I'm using my old Dell USB keyboard (no additional software required) and a Logitech Mx518 gaming mouse (no additional software loaded, so no perks). I'm terrified of loading anything important, and for the amount of money I just spent that seems VERY WRONG.

I'll continue to update my plight (not a happy experience) since I now need to install some anti-virus software suite, Vent, Norton Ghost, and my WoW mods.

[theDreamer]

Have you recorded which BSOD they are exactly?
That would probably help identify what may be the cause.

[Xesar]

Unfortunately, I didn't write it down, but I remember it said IRQ_L each time it went to BSOD.

Have rebooted system 3 times with no errors. McAfee installed, loaded and running with no problems. Life is getting better.

Now the task of downloading all my WoW mods and installing those, and then it's image time.

[RottynDawg]

A quick call to Maingear support might be a good idea :) They know their stuff and can get you up and running so that your frustration doesn't continue to build. Or as Dreamer stated, post up the details of the blue screen if it returns and we'll see what we can do here in the forums.

[brink668]

Windows Vista Update complete (decided I really needed to eat some food and 2 1/2 hours of sleep later)...off to 9 CDs of WoW/Burning Crusade later, finally updating to WoW patch 2.1 and...

BLUE SCREEN!!! :cry:

Wait...Reboot...

Patch 2.1 et al for WoW loads...now the test, can I log in?

YES! JOY! :lol:

I am VERY concerned with the amount of Blue Screens within the first 24 hours of owning this Maingear computer (sadly, I can't even say it's mine yet). I'm using my old Dell USB keyboard (no additional software required) and a Logitech Mx518 gaming mouse (no additional software loaded, so no perks). I'm terrified of loading anything important, and for the amount of money I just spent that seems VERY WRONG.

I'll continue to update my plight (not a happy experience) since I now need to install some anti-virus software suite, Vent, Norton Ghost, and my WoW mods.

It's Vista. I installed it on another machine same exact problems like you.

[Xesar]

Okay, everything is working fine now. I'm getting a great 60 fps on WoW with almost all visuals maxed out. No further Blue Screens (knocks on wood). I'll do a complete image backup because I don't feel like sitting thru hours of another WoW install.

It may have taken a couple of days, but I can finally start using my system.

[theDreamer]

Glad to hear you are getting this up & running.
I completely understand the WoW thing, I decided to reinstall two weekends ago and it literally, with all the updates, took 12 hours. Now that was with me also half using the internet so that slowed down the downloads, but still, that game is so massive now it is absurd.

How is the lag though in major cities though, or in congested areas? I do not know the new lag points as I have not played since the release of BC.

[XBarbarian]

Xesar

what ya gonna use for the image backup?

I went to vista a few months back. My F131 was ordered with Xp, but after a few months decided to, and did a fresh Vista Ultimate install. I'm happy with it.

Anyway, my point is, what Imaging app are you going to use, the built in one..or another.

I have had my eye out for Storagecraft Shadowprotect, but they haven't got it avail for Vista yet.

[Xesar]

Okay, after a few mis-steps, everything is working well. Thank you to everyone for your advice.

I'll be using Symantec's Ghost software to do an image back up.