M2TW beast

**Lemur** · 12-14-2006, 21:25

If you're feeling adventurous, you could always create your own slipstreamed copy of WinXP using the version you already have ... that's how I wound up with mine ...

**Husar** · 12-15-2006, 00:03

Thanks for the advice Lemur, I definitely want to try that, just need to find someone whose computer I can use to do it with since I replaced my burner with an ordinary DVD drive.

**Yun Dog** · 12-15-2006, 00:51

Ya I thought that about the floppy too - but then I did just fry my laptop MB doing a bios update from the HD - so a floppy can have its uses

re the 250 gig - ya maybe not enough - but i do have a 120 gig dog with all my stuff on it... and getting another one is easy..

thanks for the wisdom

what about that MB - looks like its got onboard graphics and sound - redundant? - shouldnt i go for some sort of creative sound card?

**Lemur** · 12-15-2006, 03:59

Originally Posted by Yunus Dogus

what about that MB - looks like its got onboard graphics and sound - redundant? - shouldnt i go for some sort of creative sound card?

Yup, the onboard graphics are a waste of silicon. But if the rest of the mobo is what you want, there's no real problem. I assumed you had chosen that one for a reason.

As for a sound card, that's a matter of personal preference. In the bad old days of single-core machines, a sound card was nice in that it would take some of the load off the CPU in games. These days it's arguable how much difference a sound card makes.

Admittedly, a nice whitebox Audigy will sound better than onboard sound, but it all depends on how good your speakers or headphones are. Like I said, it's a matter of personal preference -- would you like to get a marginal frame rate boost and slightly better sound, or would you rather keep that PCI slot free for something else?

**Yun Dog** · 12-15-2006, 07:28

no the only reason that MB is on the list is thats the one my supplier has suggested ... and I no NOTHING about MBs

so if you have any recommendations please feel free to make a suggestion

ya - its good to know that sound iks no longer an issue - used to be alot more critical

**Lorenzo_H** · 12-15-2006, 09:24

I have a 256mb Nvidia 6 series and it runs M2TW fine. I personally prefer Nvidia to ATI but I guess its all down to personal opinion. As for the motherboard, I don't think you need to worry much, just make sure it's compatible with the video chipset you buy (I think there are two versions availible).

**LeftEyeNine** · 12-16-2006, 03:34

Originally Posted by diablodelmar

I have a 256mb Nvidia 6 series and it runs M2TW fine. I personally prefer Nvidia to ATI but I guess its all down to personal opinion. As for the motherboard, I don't think you need to worry much, just make sure it's compatible with the video chipset you buy (I think there are two versions availible).

You need to worry about the heart of your system, diablodelmar.

**Lemur** · 12-15-2006, 15:13

Originally Posted by Yunus Dogus

no the only reason that MB is on the list is thats the one my supplier has suggested ... and I no NOTHING about MBs

so if you have any recommendations please feel free to make a suggestion

As I said in another thread, I'm running a 975 board, and it's doing fine. But most people who are building Core2Duo machines are going with 965 boards, so bear that in mind.

It's kinda pointless for me to recommend a particular make of mobo when I have no idea which brands/models your supplier offers. As long as you go with a name-brand mobo with a modern chipset such as the 965, you shouldn't be able to go too far wrong.

It's never a bad idea to read the reviews at NewEgg. One or two people screaming blue murder is no big deal, just remember that if a product is truly flawed the reviews will be overwhelmingly negative.

Could someone brief a lemur on the differences between the P965 and G965 chipsets?