Tim said:
I'd like to build a system around Vista next year.
Does anybody know about a site or can supply details that recommend
hardware well suited to Vista?
At the moment, right here is as good a place as any.
Should I go with AMD or Intel?
Should I put cheese or meat in this sandwich. It's a matter of taste.
Right now, the Intel Core2Duo chips have the edge for performance, energy
use, etc. but the situation may well have changed by the time you actually
come to lay down the cash for your system. Fact is, as long as you buy one
of the most up to date range, you'll be getting a pretty good processor
whatever manufacturer has their name printed on the box.
Your post says "hardware" so that's what my reply will focus on.
Unless you go well into the budget range (and even then it might be a
struggle) it's getting harder and harder to buy chips that cannot do both.
It makes no sense to buy a 32bit only chip right now, that's for sure.
As for what version of windows to install, 32bit windows or 64bit, well that
depends on whether or not the software you run will take advantage of 64 bit
systems, and whether or not all your software will run in 64 bit. (you did
mention games...)
The machine is for
software development, but would also like to have the ability to load
some games every once in a while. Software includes .Net, MS Office,
SQL Server, etc. Basically, MS-centric software.
Development and SQL might well push me towards a 64 bit OS, to be honest,
but again your post talked about hardware so sticking with that, you can get
systems that can run both equally well and then you can maybe see what
version makes the most sense to you. Even if 32bit Windows makes the most
sense now, that will most likely change soon enough.
Rob