Everyone suffers the obsolete when it comes to computers. It is like signing for that new $30k car that once you do sign the car is worth $15k. :doh: I got 6 years out of my old rig and currently my daughters use it to good effect. With an upgrade here or there the longevity of your rig is assured. What I chose to do was get the OS with 64 bit. I had just noticed that 64 bit support is excellent and a lot of software companies are recognizing the additional power that is available. More applications are utilizing 64 bit. And again, the 64 bit OS supports 32 bit applications. So you get the best for both your application requiring 32 or 64 bit plus you can get 8 gig of RAM. I did. RAM was and is so cheap these days why not get it while it is hot?

I spoke again to the guy who suggested I go 32bit and after some software testing/research and stuff we both agreed that going to 64bit shouldn't be too much of a problem in the short term. Some of my 32bit apps will run slower, but hopefully over the life of the computer they will be updated/replaced by others.

JScones - the 32bit dropoff is very minor - to the point of say the app does a processing job that takes 60 seconds in a 32 bit os - the 64 bit os running 32 bit native is going to be slower by a second or so at most. You will be much happier with the 64 bit in the long run (caveat - you cannot run anything that uses 16 bit extensions as x64 offers no 16 bit support at all). Also - with the 64 bit - you at least get to use the full 4 Gigs of memory which will make up the difference for you in performance.

FYI posting from my new computer.:yeah:

So far so good...although it'll take me a while to get used to Windows 7...

Just one small bit, I built a similar system roughly 2 weeks ago, but went for the i5/750.

While I first looked at the same mainboard, in the end I got the -UD3, after reading that the USB3 & SATA3 will drop the PCI Express to 8x, if activated.

Nothing like the smell of new hardware warming up! Enjoy!

I think in the long run you will have been glad to go 64bit. I know I am. To be honest, I never really now what is running 32 or 64 bit. I just know the computer is fast and games run great. My goal was achieved. :up: 64 bit has not been a problem in the driver/program department. Hell, I run Vista of all things! I like Vista also but that is another thead!

Oh yeah love that 'burn in' smell that comes with a new build. :yeah:

Going great so far. :yeah:

Doesn't even break a sweat running Settlers 2, lol.

Haven't tested it with SH3/GWX3 yet...maybe this weekend.

Bumping this, because I could use some help regarding a new rig.
I'm using Mac's for 13 years now, and my gaming is usually PS3.

While my MacBookPro runs SH5 very good, I'm considering a game rig for special titles (eg MassEffect2, SH5). Besides MS has finally coughed up an OS that makes me not feel like 1999...

I just want a box with Mainboard, 4GB+ RAM, MulticoreCPU and decent GFX.
Just for Games, everything else will be Mac.
Problem is I have NO clue what to buy, there are more GFX cards to choose from than Apple's whole lineup of computers...

I've set a limit of about 700 Euros for this, would you be so kind and help me buying parts that give the most bang for this budget?
Thanks in advance!

Its a good machine, works fine with every game without overclocking. I got almost the same pc with nvidia video card at my work. All this overclocking stuff only reduce the hardware lifespan but its your call ;)