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Looking back up at Robbie's replies, I noticed he mentioned RAM usage.

Rob, quick baseline for you from my system: I'm running Vista 64-bit Ultimate, and I've got this browser window open. Right now my RAM usage is hovering around 32% of the 4Gb I have.

Not sure what the distribution would look like if you're dual-booting two different OSes, though I don't really see the benefit in bothering with 32-bit unless you've got some programs that can only run at that level.

Wow, that is HIGH.
I am currently on my laptop, and have 768 megs of ram. I am currently running Firefox, PeerGuardian, a HTML editor, Utorrent, Easyphp, my firewall, and a couple other small things. I am currently running at 79% usage(163 megs free, 605 used). Now, on my current desktop, with 2gb of ram, I can't say exactly, but I recall similar numbers(though much lower percent).

I wasn't planning on dual-booting them simultaneously, although with this processor, that is cirtainly a possibility. I will have to look into that(virtual machines and such - I know it can be done on a mac, but with linux and windows? I dunno).


-RobbieThe1st

I Have never messed with that myself, If i wanted to switch OS's then i shut down and rebooted into the other, but I have seen people use software like VMware to boot linux in windows and the obvious WINE for MS apps in linux.

virtual machine is useless if your running linux in windows. i did it the opposite way for a while so i had support on my ipod...it works but i prefer to just duel. as long as you have the space (which 1.5TB is MORE then enough) your fine :)

Now for another thing: I was thinking, and realised that I actually could do with a small tablet. So, I plan to get a used one of Ebay for a reasonable price. I am looking at a 4X5-6 or 6X8 Wacom, probably an Intuos or Graphire. I am really looking for a USB one(wireless... meh).
I want to use this with Gimp(in windows), and preferably in Linux with Gimp also, so that's one requirement.

So, suggestions? Is there anything I should know?

Also, heres a couple images of my computer case(as it currently stands):



-RobbieThe1st

Okay, the rainbow LEDs are just... too awesome for words. Where'd you get those fans?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6835209010 for the back ones, and what looks like http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6835129047 for the side... but mine has orange, blue, red and green - It is made by AeroCool though, and completely clear.

I got several fans of differing types back when I set up my computer - good ones I kept, noisy ones mysteriously made their way into my parents computers <_<


-RobbieThe1st

Bummer, they're just 80mms? I've got three 120mms I'd love to replace if I can justify it.

nice! case is preaty cool...personally i would have wanted UV LEDs tho...i just think UV looks so cool. The only thing i need to ask you...since I plan on building a new pc soon since i am sick of running pentium 3's... can the LED's be turned off at night since i ready do not shut down ever.

If you pick up the small (approx. 4x6) Bamboo tablet that has only the pen (trust me, the mouse is not worth the extra money. Just use your normal mouse), it should be around $60-$70 new:
Bamboo Tablet (Small, Pen Only)
Bamboo Tablet (Small, Pen Only)

Ok, mouse not worth anything. I suspected as much.
But, is the 2X LPI, and 2X pressure sensitivity worth it?
For reference:
Bamboo is going to be about $52 or $59(buy it now) off Ebay.
4X5/4X6 Intuos 3 is going to be about $190 or $150(buy it now) of Ebay.

Now, its looking like the Bamboo is a much better value, or is there something very important that I am missing?
Note that I would expect to be able to get a Intuos 3 for about $100 or less, used probably, off Ebay. So, the price difference is a fair amount, but not extreme.

So, is there any considerations I am not taking into account?


-RobbieThe1st

Do you plan on overclocking this system? How much do you plan the 8800gtx on being from ebay? Why that particular motherboard, considering the pricey pricetag?

Yea, depending on how things turn out. I sure ought to be able to, what with the heatpipe cooler(which I know is great for overclocking from personal experience).

$200-$250 perhaps? I haven't checked recently. Also, there are so many brands and models - I figure, when I have money in hand, I will watch, find possible prospective cards, and look up each for problems and benefits.


Well, I decided on this after much deliberation on another forum, considering over half a dozen possible motherboards.
For one thing, it has two PCI slots, which I need for my sound card and TV card.
It also supports SLI, and has plenty of pci-e slots.
It is feature-full, an Asus(which I have had good luck with - There have been some quality control issues with this particular board, but so long as I get a working one, I should be fine).
It supports a bunch of features I need - Full ATX size for maximum expansion space, 4 memory slots, Raid-5 support.
It has an onboard video card, with all-important DVI(via HDMI) support(This is useful, but not required).
It also has the little BIOS status readout, which I figure is useful. It didn't figure into my calculations, but its a bonus.

Still... if you have a better one, suggest it.


-RobbieThe1st

I guess you're going with the nVidia route for graphics cards then? I dunno, have you seen the latest ones from ATI/AMD? Especially the midrange 4850? I have this one, and it's performance was definitely worth the price of 170 dollars. Granted, you can't SLI ATI cards, but would you think that that's a good path to go? Depending on the monitor size, then you would be able/worth it to get SLI, but most people don't have 26-30" monitors, yet. Are you planning on doing much gaming?

Bamboo Fun has a larger size which could be more comfortable. Depends.
Mouse is absolutely crap though. Too much friction and only works on the tablet. And the tablet is very smooth, so normal optical mice won't work on it.

You (may need) to install drivers manually for USB-based Wacom tablets - this should fixed for Ubuntu 7.10 beta.

Also, ATI has Crossfire. Good luck finding a motherboard that supports it though?