First post, by nd22
This thread will be about a 2006 – 2007 era pc that will be able to run Windows Vista and all kinds of era correct and also modern software without problems on a daily basis.
Just to be clear modern for me means anything that entails at least one of the following: dual core (or more) CPU, PCI – express video cards, DDR2 memory. For me the classic era ends with socket 478 from Intel and socket 754 from AMD.
Also this build will try to prove that using the right hardware Windows Vista is as capable as its successor Windows 7 and that the “right” hardware was already available in January 2007 when Vista was released.
The following components are already in my possession from December 2006 and will form the basis from which I will start the build:
1. Motherboard ABIT AW9D – MAX with LCD panel (also called guru panel). This motherboard is exceptionally versatile and can take anything from Pentium 4 to core 2 quad; it is simply (as all ABIT motherboards I used) a diamond with some rough edges.
2. The original CPU is an E6400 that will probably be replaced with a Q6600. A core 2 quad extreme would be more powerful but also much more expensive and an unlikely choice back in January 2007.
3. 4 GB of DDR2 – 800 RAM from corsair that will be augmented with another 4 GB.
4. Some Samsung DVD drive; a 320 GB hard disk from WD that will probably be replaced with a bigger one.
5. A geforce 7600gt that I already have and will be replaced with some better card in the future.
6. Corsair 650w PSU and an old Antec case; one or both of them may be replaced.
7. Windows Vista home premium retail DVD.