Custom Computers...Who Has Them?

[litehazelbandit]

Lots of good info here. I have built a couple pcs but have always used intel processors and always gamed on the ones for myself. I dont do pc gaming anymore so i rarely use the one i have.

I want to build a budget media box but intel seems to be overpriced now a days. I may research a bit and try out amd

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[200hpAltima]

Originally Posted by andrewcu

yea never again i just seen that it was half the price of a new one, and its a black edition WD. so seeing that it was the better brand i didnt think anything of it. Oddly enough my most recent build is the most lacking in performance, i used the AMD 965 black edition i believe it was in the first two, loved that cpu but its dated now

I noticed you are using dedicated CPU's that are a little dated lol.

I saw a refurb'd WD 2tb on newegg. It only had a 2 egg rating so I decided against it heh

Originally Posted by litehazelbandit

Lots of good info here. I have built a couple pcs but have always used intel processors and always gamed on the ones for myself. I dont do pc gaming anymore so i rarely use the one i have.

I want to build a budget media box but intel seems to be overpriced now a days. I may research a bit and try out amd

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You talking about building just a media server? Or will you put a head on it?

[litehazelbandit]

Originally Posted by 200hpAltima

You talking about building just a media server? Or will you put a head on it?

Just a media server to push all of my movies and files to tvs and laptops in the house. I had a desk and a dual monitor setup and it's just taking up space since I use my phone and laptop more.

[200hpAltima]

I think an AMD FX series would be great for you. Low on the graphics side of things but high on the computing power. Other than that, you can pretty much determine the components you would like to have

[TheMusician]

If you install Windows 8, install Stardock's Start8 or something similar to add Windows 7's start menu back in. Once you do that, it'll function exactly the same, except much quicker.

Installed it on an old laptop I've been trying to revive. Much snappier than 7.

[nintendo5]

So I thought I would pop this question in here since its computer related. I just bought an SSD for my win 7 laptop and got win 8 (thanks to you guys!) for $15. Now I want to do a fresh install, how should I do that and keep my old files?

Thanks

[TheMusician]

Depends on how big your collection of old files is. I'd use some sort of partitioning software to create a partition just big enough to house your old files, then install Windows 8 on the partition that has Windows 7 on it. Once you're done, merge the partitions together. Just make sure to isolate your files from the Windows 7 system files.

Or temporarily house them in an external HDD maybe, who knows.

[200hpAltima]

If you use the windows 8 upgrade assistant, it gives you an option to preserve all files and programs and just upgrade the OS to 8. Do I trust it? Hell no. Have I tried it? Again, no.

Also, you don't need a partitioning software. Windows 7 has it built in under "disk management"

As to the start menu in 8. I really don't mind it. I spend a bit of time on the live tiles checking email, news, weather and other things before actually getting into my desktop. Plus, it is a quick way to blank out my screen (back to live tiles) if somebody (my boss) walks by....

[nintendo5]

Just to clarify I'm removing my old hdd and putting a ssd then installing win 8.

What about my games how can I keep the save files? If I reinstall the games won't they be lost?

[200hpAltima]

Hmmm. That is an interesting one. What I would do is download a disk cloning software (not sure where to get that) and clone your current HDD onto the SSD (I am also assuming you have an open SATA port on your mobo). If you can do that I would. Clone the disk and then run the windows 8 upgrader on the SSD.

Whatever you do, only use that version of windows once. I though I was going to be a smart cookie and have my computer clone my mac address to the router, install windows 8 on my laptop and also on my fresh build (again, cloned) and they shut that shit down. Had to buy another license of windows 8 yesterday

[xeene]

Originally Posted by 200hpAltima

Hmmm. That is an interesting one. What I would do is download a disk cloning software (not sure where to get that) and clone your current HDD onto the SSD (I am also assuming you have an open SATA port on your mobo). If you can do that I would. Clone the disk and then run the windows 8 upgrader on the SSD.

that's what i would do.

[TheMusician]

Originally Posted by 200hpAltima

As to the start menu in 8. I really don't mind it. I spend a bit of time on the live tiles checking email, news, weather and other things before actually getting into my desktop. Plus, it is a quick way to blank out my screen (back to live tiles) if somebody (my boss) walks by....

I disagree. I guess different people are used to different things, but I found the lack of a W7-esque Start menu to be highly crippling. I actually kind of loathe the tile screen- it seems like it would be great for a touchscreen, but useless on a traditional system.

[200hpAltima]

It does tend to get useless/bothersome sometimes.

Quite honestly, I think a start button would be useful in some aspects. Quickly jumping to my d/l's for example or exploring my system. I might just DL that Stardock Start8 now...hmmmm

[litehazelbandit]

I think an AMD FX series would be great for you. Low on the graphics side of things but high on the computing power. Other than that, you can pretty much determine the components you would like to have

I will look into that, probably wont make it until march or april around the tax time deals.

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[200hpAltima]

I hear you there!