Building a PC

[jmlogue]

OK, i need some help finding a power supply. How can i tell from my CPU/Mobo discisions what i need my power supple to have?

[Makdaam]

Try this: http://journeysystems.com/power_supply_calculator.php
and remember to select everything YOU WILL have installed. SO if you plan on buying a TV card later add it too. Round everything up and remember to add some excess power(just in case).

Then look for a highly efficient PSU (http://www.80plus.org/) The more the psu is efficient the less heat it will produce and the less power it will consume.

When it comes to processors: if you are going to run only Windows/Mac OS and no Linux/BSD/commercial Unix then you shouldn't buy a 64bit processor (Windows doesn't really support it yet... Intel said it won't make 64bit in few years) but a more powerful 32bit.

[ABoerma]

When it comes to processors: if you are going to run only Windows/Mac OS and no Linux/BSD/commercial Unix then you shouldn't buy a 64bit processor (Windows doesn't really support it yet... Intel said it won't make 64bit in few years) but a more powerful 32bit.

I kinda disagree with this. Vista 64bit is said to make a lot of difference, and a year from now you might just come to regret having bought a 32bit CPU.

[kackler]

You are both right, game platforms are a good example. Everytime new hardware is made it can be from months to years to catch up with the new technology. It's not like they don't know how, but it's the time it takes to program and debug the new software and creating a bridge to be backwards compatible with older software. Or they just do what Microsoft is doing and just don't look back. Which means we will all be forced to buy Macs and I think that is what Bill Gates true paln is. To make us so sick of his crappy OS that everyone jumps ship and makes a bee line to the nearest Mac shop.

[jmlogue]

Ah, i always wondered what was behind his thinking....

Anyway, i really do want to get a 64bit processor but now you have me a little scared. I will almost definitly be using windows (although i plan on looking into linux and seeing what it has to offer). What are some of the problems i might have with running XP on a 64bit processor?

[kackler]

Funny enough XP has already touch on it a little. There is a beta 64 bit OS of XP out there. Or at least there was. You will have to look into it more to learn more. But just having it won't hurt you. You see the OS and programs won't take full advantage of the 64 bit. But it won't mean it won't work.

[Makdaam]

There is an 64bit Windows XP, but it doesn't mean it uses all 64bits. AFAIR it is only compiled to run on a 64bit processor but as if it was 32bits (except for some memory routines) so most of the pros of using a 64bit machine are lost, unless of course you are going to buy software which uses the 64bit features (ie. non-windowed apps, with low-level programming like games)

And I don't expect Vista to be 64bit only (vide Intel's press releases which claim future Intel processors to be mostly 32bit) and since it was designed for 32bit machines initially it will run correctly on 64bit but won't use all of its advantages.

[jmlogue]

Ah, well in that case it looks like buying a 64bit processor would probably be a good idea anyway. In a little while when they actually release a version of XP meant to work with a 64bit processor i will be ready. Now, even if i can't take full advantage of the 64bitness will i get any benefit at all (asuming i can't find anything on that beta and aside from the fact that i can upgrade my OS later)?

How do i tell if a specific kind of memory will work with my other chosen components?

[Shmi]

you could grab the 3-month trial version of xp x64, or try and download it on the internets.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bit/facts/trial.mspx

[rescbr]

How do i tell if a specific kind of memory will work with my other chosen components?

If your mobo supports DDR, buy DDR memories. If it supports DDR2, buy DDR2 memories.
Good brands are Corsair, Geil, Kingston. But a "generic" can do teh job (adding more RAM)