Austrailian students can get it for $49.95 AUD Heres the link: http://www.microsoft.com/australia/windows/offers/windows-7-student-upgrade.aspx I dont know about the MSDN alliance if thats only in the USA or everywhere cause Im getting win7 pro 64bit for free through my school from that alliance. (I...

Im a little confused. I have an athlon 2 x4 quadcore processor. But my dilemma is that I dont have an 8 pin connector from my PSU. The closest thing is a 4 pin (looks like a square) connector. What do I do?

I think it looks kinda cool I have no idea about airflow etc though...

Im building a system right now. I have this motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128392 It has a 24 pin atx power connector AND a 8 pin atx connector. Do I need to use both? If thats the case I dont have an 8 pin connector. The closest thing in resemblance is a 4 pin...

Thanks!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754&cm_re=windows_7_system_builders-_-32-116-754-_-Product How does this system builders pack work? What are the restrictions? I heard that its something specific about not being able to leave the hard drive you install it on? Or the comput...

Thanks been reading... its some good info... Im def going 64 bit

I'm pretty sure my PSU has the 6 pin power connector on it but if it doesn't I guess I will need to get a 4pin to 6 pin adapter? I cant remember if my first 2 builds needed this. I think they did....

Ok so that video card is huge. And it has a power connector on the back of it. Since its open box I dont have any of the stuff that came with it just the card. Do I need a power connector in order for it to work?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 814121320R

K thanks...

Awesome... that means my $490 system will be able to run win7 64 bit nice....

So what are the main components that need to be compatible? Obviously processor. Then what else do I need to check to see if the system I just ordered is 64 bit compatible? The graphic card reads Memory Interface 128-bit so Im guessing its 64 bit compatible right? Im guessing thats the only two that...

Thats great to hear idale! I will definitely go with 64 bit so I can use 8 gigs and hopefully 16 gigs in the future when its more affordable lol... Yeah I also just readup on the message boards at microsoft.com and this is something I never ever heard of. Crazy! There are alot of systems sold with u...

That doesnt make any sense. I see lots of systems all day at best buy sams club walmart that has 6-8 gigs of ram. Something doesnt add up?

So I'm reading on techreport.com (quoted below) that 32 bit OS don't use more then 3.5 gigs of ram. Is that to say if I got 8 gigs of ram on my system the other 4 would be useless? Or is it just saying that only windows won't use more then 3.5 gigs? I'm slightly confused and thrownoff by this. Any c...

How would you reduce turbulence and vibration from moving parts? Lets take the HHD for example? Most cases theres just enough room to mount the hard drives so my first idea would be to use rubber grommets or similar material as a spacer between the metal and the vibrating element, but that won't wor...

What would you guys do to quiet this system down? Like someone else said before, put it together first and see what you think. Noise is so subjective... it might be perfectly quiet enough for you! hhaha... I dunno Im pretty picky but again beggers cant be choosers or else I would have got a nice qu...

http://www.mnpctech.com/7volt_Resistor_ ... n_Mod.html

Im guessing it just turns the fan down without a fan controller as it states... 12 volt to 7 volt... less power means less spin means less air though so... ?

What would you guys do to quiet this system down?

Oh sorry bonestonne that was Menthawls post linking to :http://techreport.com/articles.x/17787/2 and you recommended a better graphics card so based on that my system should be pretty good.

Hey! Thanks! That definitely has me on the right track.

How do you guys get all these readings? Software or in the bios?

Hey for that motherboard it lists "CPU Type Phenom II X4 / Phenom II X3"

But it will work with that AMD Athlon 2 quad core right?

Thanks bonestonne! Yeah your post with the link to a similar system helped me choose this setup along with others recommending open box or refurbished and i just happen to find a suitable card... i think it will be a nice build... with room for improvement in the future...

Im just gonna order this its the only thing I could put together for under $500 and I still need windows 7 and a monitor so.... ah well... this is good enough for now...

lol I went from a big old 1100 rig to a decently compared one for $490 not bad

Wasnt able to find anything so far that would work and latch onto the plastic like the USB one next to it.

If you seek quiet, the Silencer PSU and the stock heatsink/fan will probably need to be tackled... and maybe case fans. For overall compatibility, they seem fine. What do you recommend replacing the stock CPU heatsink and fan with? Also what could be done about the PSU? I had to get this one to kee...

What do ya think overall? The video card is open box so... I dunno. And Im going to need some dampening materials ... but newegg doesnt seem to sell that? Any suggestions or improvements? My aim was to build a system under $500. http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh224/Term_One/th_2009-11-03_183611....

i would have never guessed to search that thanks!!

Check this out http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/11-147-074-05.jpg Ever see a place online to buy the firewire port and run that cable myself? best looking cheap case with 120mm rear fan by rosewill... so what if it will need dampening? lol http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp...