That's the plan!

 

Also thanks to other peeps, I will look at other motherboards.

 

If I'm buying a fan/cooler do I need anything specific or will they all fit to whatever case/mobo?

They'll fit into any standard ATX case. Most motherboards are compatible, but to be sure, check here. However, it only covers boards made up to August 05. But it's a pretty comprehensive list.

Cool beanses. Think I've got it sorted now - whole system for about £750.

 

About graphics cards - there's no reason to go for a particular make, is there? And I take it 7800GTs are the cream of the crop at the moment?

No, ATi's are.

The X1900 is probably the fastest card around at the moment.

7900GT, in terms of price/performance. Toss-up between the 7900GTX and the X1900XTX in terms of more-money-than-sense.

Reeto.

Hello Nice People I have another question.

 

What is the best way to get Windows?

 

The computer I have at the moment was bought built from Evesham, so the License is on the computer. Can I use this key and just download Windoze (seeing as I don't have an XP CD, just two 'recovery' CDs.

 

But if this is not possiblé, I don't want to Jimlad XP properly, so I'd want to buy it. But the only student License I can seem to find is the Student Pro Upgrade one! So I take it I already need a windoze for that to work? It's all very confusing.

 

Also might it be better to wait for Vista so I don't have to pay mondo upgrade costs or is that too far in the future/ not really that much anyway.

 

Thanks for your help!

Your XP key should work but you will need to get the matching windows Version which is likely Windows XP Home OEM.

Ok cool. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find anywhere to... 'procure' such a program. Torrentspy only has Pro. Where's the best place to look?

Unfortunately, the best option is usually to ask someone for a copy whilst stressing to them that you've got a serial number and just need a copy of the disk. Almost all net versions are Pro Corporate. I've got disks of XP Home at work, but they're Dell only and won't work on none-Dell machines.

I (think) I've managed to find one! Seems to be downloading at a fair speed. Probably turn out to be an upgrade or something. Anyway, one more question, I think I'M BUYING TODAY as I had a shit exam and need some retail therapy - I don't need 64bit Windows do I? Normal will work just be less good and then I can wait for Vista?

Normal will work fine, it's just that you won't be able to run 64 bit stuff on it. But at the same time XP64 needs brand new drivers for everything and some bits have problems with it.

Rizocking. Thanks!

Okay I have bought it! Thanks everyone for all your help. I'm sure I will have a million more questions when it comes to build the thing.

An OEM license is fine if you're using the key you have on the original harware.

 

If you've changed the motherboard or hard drive it's less fine. (I've had this conversation with MS alot as one of their partners and they're not too sure what is acceptable for OEM licenses either).

 

Another problem you'll have is that if you don;t have OEM media, your license key won;t work, convenient, eh?

 

If you're using the original hardware (more or less) then the OEM license is valid and you'll be legal if you can find an OEM CD, otherwise you need the full version at £180 (that's my lowest price for it, anyway).

As you're buying hardware anyway you're entitled to buy whichever OEM copy of the OS you feel like with the hardware, XPx64 or Pro would be advisable. Don't buy the full version ever as it's possible to buy the OEM version with a new hdd or memory for the same money as the full version.

Buit as I keep saying, just because you've bought the OEM version, installing it doesn;t result in a legal OS.

It's slightly more legal than pirating though - you're paying MS money, Windows Genuine Advantage is quite happy that you've got a legal copy and windows update is similarly happy.

To be perfectly frank, I couldn't give a bollocks if I don't meet all the requirements for Microsofts OEM licensing. So long as it's a legal serial number and it's been bought then I don't see the problem. It's a bit like MS stating that OEM stuff isn't transferrable. That's crap as well. Just the same as I can transfer a CD drive or a sound card across when I replace my PC, I see no justifyable reason why I can't transfer a legal OS across as well. Sometimes MS are just to greedy for their own good.