Re: OT: computers
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Unfortunately, due to the laws that govern the computer universe, the only way to avoid this is to never buy one... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: OT: computers
 

The upgrade path is different today than it was in the past. Memory is evolving just as fast as
CPU’s, so the benefit of reusing the motherboard are greatly diminished during an upgrade. These days we are often finding that a replacement CPU is a cheap upgrade, and cost effective for a one or two year SLE. We can flash the BIOS and the replace a 500mhz PIII with a Celeron getting a 100% increase in speed theoretically. Add a new hard drive and we have less than $150 dollars in a system that we expect to get 3 more years out of. CD and floppy readers get pulled or disabled so no troubles there. We run Citrix, so CPU speed was not a big issue, but now that we have rolled out with a compliant serverbased antivirus system, the older workstations are beginning to really suffer. We have some 400MHz Deskpros that take 16 minutes to boot and scan a 20Gig drive.

Also, someone posted about AMD being the inexpensive upgrade path. Need to look at the
price sheets again there. Amd has started a campaign to regain profitability and XP’s are priced right up there with P4’s these days. Performance is great on both brands, so it is a case of preference these days.

Re: OT: computers
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Necessity really *is* the mother of invention.

I can't say that we've ever done this where I work. But I can remember cutting off part of the I/O shield to make it fit a slightly different case design.

Re: OT: computers
 

Wardad, given the speed of evoloution of chipsets and memories these days, don't worry about what happens 2-2 1/2 years down the line when you want an upgrade.

You WILL need a whole new CPU/Motherboard/Memory anyway.

And AMD have their 64-bit chips to use in the mainstream market, Intel don't. And Intel are continuing to lose market share over here.

Re: OT: computers
 

I was not worried... I was helping Hunkpapa.

Re: OT: computers
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Necessity really *is* the mother of invention.

I can't say that we've ever done this where I work. But I can remember cutting off part of the I/O shield to make it fit a slightly different case design.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The four holes around the CPU are not needed on the tray. These holes are for the push rivets
that attach the lower fan bracket to the MB. Even on the units I OCed and had Swifties on, the
holes were not needed in the tray. There is another mounting hole that is relocated, but if it is not used it doesn’t hurt anything.

Re: OT: computers
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Word on the upgrade! Six months was the limit untill things slowed late Last year. Now we are
set for a new surge starting next week.

But the 64 bit home CPU is still in doubt. The home Version will be locked at 32bit. And it will
be much later in on the shelves than the server chips. Also, the price of the AMD 64 bit
windows is going to be a real shocker when people get around to that. I hear that Linux has
been ported the AMD64, but that will not be the same as a $150 64 bit Version of Win XP.