New system - couple of questions

[Fitz]

Replacing a AMD 754 pin system with an AM2 build. Right now I'm
running 2 36GB Raptors in a RAID 0 config. Need to replace one due to a
broken connector (no duct tape going in the new system). Does it have to
be the exact same harddrive, or just the same size and speed (the new
Raptors have 16MB cache vs the 8 MB of the older models)?

The basics of the system are:
Asus M2N-E
AMD AM2 5200
4 GB Corsair Twin X 6400 C4
BFG 88640 GTS OCE graphics
Antec P180 case

comments on the case?
is the on board sound good enough quality to go without a soundcard?
Vista or XP (never used a Vista machine)?

Thanks,
Fitz

 

[Paul]

Replacing a AMD 754 pin system with an AM2 build. Right now I'm
running 2 36GB Raptors in a RAID 0 config. Need to replace one due to a
broken connector (no duct tape going in the new system). Does it have to
be the exact same harddrive, or just the same size and speed (the new
Raptors have 16MB cache vs the 8 MB of the older models)?

The basics of the system are:
Asus M2N-E
AMD AM2 5200
4 GB Corsair Twin X 6400 C4
BFG 88640 GTS OCE graphics
Antec P180 case

comments on the case?
is the on board sound good enough quality to go without a soundcard?
Vista or XP (never used a Vista machine)?

Thanks,
Fitz

"comments on the case?"

Are your power supply cables long enough ? The power supply fits in
the lower left bay.

http://images10.newegg.com/NeweggImage/productimage/11-129-154-37.jpg

The disks don't have to match, in terms of secondary characteristics
like controller cache. The size should be close, so that there won't be
any unusable space. I take it you will be backing up the array first,
then restoring to the new array when you create it. Which means
another disk will hold the contents of the RAID 0, until the
transition is complete.

(Note that RAID 1 mirroring can be more tricky - if a mirror breaks and
the replacement drive is smaller than the one remaining good drive,
that will prevent a rebuild from occurring. So the practice of making
drives with trivial differences in size, is an annoying one that should
be stopped. On RAID 0, this is less important, because there are no
maintenance options for RAID 0 - when it breaks you start over again.)

Onboard sound is a bit tricky. I stopped using my onboard sound, because
the EAX implementation in the software driver was so bad. The hardware
itself was OK. My onboard sound would probably OK for listening to
rock music, but for many other purposes a sound card would be better.
I use a $7 PCI sound card as a replacement. It really isn't that good
a card either, but the driver is a bit more compliant with games. You
can always test yours, and buy a card if you don't like the results.

If recording from onboard sound, the noise floor usually isn't that
good. Sometimes you get motherboard electrical noise in the recording.
So that is something else to be tested.

Paul

 

[Fitz]

The power supply is a Corsair HX620W (modular cable system). The users
manual doesn't list the length of the 24 pin power cable, but it seems
long enough (extra is coiled into an empty drive bay). On my present
system the BIOS says the 12V value is 11.74V (97.8% of 12V). Is the
within limitations or should I contact the manufacture 's support?

I won't be transferring the current RAID data to the new build. I've
backed up info that I need to a 3rd drive, which I'll install as a
non-bootable storage drive. The new operating system will probably be
Vista. The next question will be 64 bit or 32?

Thanks,

Fitz

 

[Paul]

The power supply is a Corsair HX620W (modular cable system). The users
manual doesn't list the length of the 24 pin power cable, but it seems
long enough (extra is coiled into an empty drive bay). On my present
system the BIOS says the 12V value is 11.74V (97.8% of 12V). Is the
within limitations or should I contact the manufacture 's support?

I won't be transferring the current RAID data to the new build. I've
backed up info that I need to a 3rd drive, which I'll install as a
non-bootable storage drive. The new operating system will probably be
Vista. The next question will be 64 bit or 32?

Thanks,

Fitz

Power supply voltages should be measured with a multimeter. To give you an
example, my motherboard reports that my 12V rail is +12.74V. If I check with
a multimeter, it is in fact very close to 12V exactly. So there can be some
measurement error on the motherboard monitor.

In any case, you are allowed 5% variation, so a reading of +11.4 would still
be acceptable.

I cannot answer the 64 bit question for you. Since you are using 4GB of RAM,
if you wanted to see more of that RAM available to the OS, then 64 bit Vista
would be the answer. The problem is with compatibility, and whether drivers
and programs will be happy or not. 32 bit programs can run in a 64 bit OS,
via the WOW (windows on windows) emulator. 64 bit programs would run "native",
without assistance. You should do more research, before making this purchase
decision, as there could be a few additional issues with the 64 bit edition.

If you use Vista 32 bit, then expect to see 3.12GB or less, of the 4GB,
available for use. How much less than 3.12GB, depends on the address space
requirements of video cards and other add-in cards.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605

Paul

 

[Pecos]

I won't be transferring the current RAID data to the new build. I've
backed up info that I need to a 3rd drive, which I'll install as a
non-bootable storage drive. The new operating system will probably be
Vista. The next question will be 64 bit or 32?

Thanks,

Fitz

Hi Fitz,

You have some options regarding Vista 32 or 64 bit.

If you buy the 32 bit Upgrade or Full Retail version of Home Basic, Home
Premium or Business you can order a 64 bit DVD for the cost of shipping and
handling (s/b less than $20.00 U.S.).

If you go this route, I recommend you get the 64 bit version. It is a
small price to pay for future-proofing.

If you order the Upgrade or Full Retail version of Ultimate it *comes* with
both the 32 bit and 64 bit DVD's.

If you get the OEM version you have to choose 32 *or* 64 bit with no option
for the other.

Since you are already talking about 4 GB of SDRAM, I would recommend
running the 64 bit version if possible. Avoid Home Basic Vista. There are
too many restrictions.

Like Paul says, software and driver compatibility is the main problem with
the 64 bit version as of the middle of 2007. The primary software problems
are with anti-virus, firewalls and games. The primary hardware driver
problems are with scanners and printers although any hardware device can be
a problem.

Ancient 16 bit software won't run at all on the 64 bit version.

Also, the clever marketing people at Microsoft have come up with the
Anytime Upgrade program that allows you to upgrade from say Business to
Ultimate for a price. ALL DVS's come with all four 'feature versions'
(Home Basic, Home Premium, Business and Ultimate). Be aware however that
it is always cheaper to buy the version you ultimately want up-front. So
do your homework before you buy.

See my Vista Confusion article if you are still confused. There are a lot
of EULA restrictions you need to be aware of before you buy.