Awesome Vista News Discuss Awesome in the Windows Vista forums; Found this at: http://www.betanews.com/article/Micr..._PC/1164144070 . Check out the HD. Microsoft, Dell Team on Special Vista PC By BetaNews Staff, BetaNews November 21, 2006, 4:...

[felix8406]

Found this at: http://www.betanews.com/article/Micr..._PC/1164144070.

Check out the HD.

Microsoft, Dell Team on Special Vista PC
By BetaNews Staff, BetaNews
November 21, 2006, 4:47 PM

Microsoft recently partnered with Dell to create a special edition PC to commemorate the launch of Windows Vista. Only a few of the computers have been produced, and there are no plans to sell it, the company says. Among the specifications are a Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, a 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GTX graphics card, 4GB of SDRAM, 1TB of hard drive space, a DVD+/-RW DL disc drive, dual television tuners, a 30" widescreen monitor, and surround sound capabilities.

The PC has a rating of 5.2 on Vista's Windows Experience Index. One of the PCs was raffled off at Microsoft's internal launch party, with another going to charity. The number of PCs produced, or the plans for the other machines was not announced.

[Znod]

It is awesome. I wish I had that card although I don't know if it would get me above 5. In contrast, there was, and may still be, a Win mag on the stands that shows how to build a sort of budget PC that breaks 5. I think it uses the same card.

[JoshW02@hotmail.co.uk]

Forget that I want the PC!

[crabby]

Znod.. that card would get you above 5 But I am surprised that they havent put a native dx10 gpu in the system! Also 1TB = 4 x 250GB hard driives, which blocks up the front fan too much for my liking.

I just want that SCREEN!!!!!

crabby

[Znod]

I really don't know, but only a card will do it since every thing else is above 5. The Dell machine and the home built I mentioned both used this one I think--512MB NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GTX. The home built one also used my 2.67 duo 2 processor package.

[Znod]

Originally Posted by crabby

Znod.. that card would get you above 5 But I am surprised that they havent put a native dx10 gpu in the system! Also 1TB = 4 x 250GB hard driives, which blocks up the front fan too much for my liking.

I just want that SCREEN!!!!!

crabby

crabbly can you provide insights on posts 13, 20, and 21 on this thread: http://www.vistababble.com/forums/in...her-way-3.html

[felix8406]

Do you want the best? Then look no further. Check this out: NVIDIA nForce 680a SLI media and communications processor (MCP), designed specifically for the new AMD Quad FX Platform with Dual Socket Direct Connect Architecture. The NVIDIA nForce 680a SLI MCP allows multimedia and megatasking users to harness the power of up to 4 GPUs, 8 displays, 12 SATA hard drives for a combined 8 terabytes of media storage, and 4 gigabit Ethernet connections, all from a single consumer desktop PC.

Read more: http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=24690

[Znod]

I think the this one may be the one for me (the 8800 or the 600): http://www.nvidia.com/object/reality_redefined.html. I think each just one slot. But, I have to check things out really carefully. I am not too familiar with the properties of graphics cards.

[felix8406]

Side-by-Side comparison of NVdia’s GeForce 8800 GTX and GeForce 8800 GTS (Both with Direct X10 architecture)

GeFroce >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>8800 GTX >>>> 8800 GTS

Stream Processor>>>>>>>>>>128>>>>>>>>>96
Core Clock (MHz)>>>>>>>>>>575>>>>>>>>>500
Shader Clock (MHz)>>>>>>>>350>>>>>>>>>1200
Memory Clock (MHz)>>>>>>>>900>>>>>>>>>>800
Memory Amount>>>>>>>>>>768MB>>>>>>>640MB
Memory Interface>>>>>>>>>384-bit>>>>>>>320-bit
Memory Bandwidth (GB/sec)>>86.4>>>>>>>>>64
Texture Fill Rate (billion/sec)>>36.8>>>>>>>>>24

[Znod]

Hi felix:

Right I've seen those data. I am just trying to figure out which (including the 600 models) would be best for me. As you know, I don't need the computing power I have. But, hey, I am near retirement, and what the heck?

My interests run mainly in the Windows Media Center directions and and in the HDTV area. And, I would like to try some of the new Directx 10 games, etc. But, I will never be a heavy duty gamer. And, while not worth more than a extra few hundred dollars to me, I would like to get my machine above a 5.0 (4.6 now). I need to look and see what my lowest 5+ is so I will know how much I can gain in principle from a new card. So, if, for example, my lowest non-card-related score is 5.4, then I'd like to pick up .8 from a card = 5.4 - 4.6. I am going to look now. Edit: OK, now my scores are attached, and my prior calculation was correct.

If you have time, look at the "Where to purchase" link on the page (or maybe a page forward) on the NVIDIA site I linked. Then, go to newegg.com. What do you make of all the different 8800 and 600 models? I am a dummy about many things--especially graphics cards. And, keep in mind that I want something that will run cool under occassional heavy use without water cooling or requiring the use of two slots (e.g., the extra for a fan).

Thanks for any help or insights that you have. I'll be looking forward to hearing what you think. Oh, and keep in mind that an extra $50 to $300 doesn't really mean anything to me at this point in life.

Best, the Z