Installing xp64 on Q6600 quad core

[Steedie]

Hi kurtw

You will have no issues with any Windows (I cant talk for Linux distros) x64 operating system on a Q6600.

Vista especially will not have problems as it was made for multi-core/multi-processor systems, so you'll be more than covered there. But I've dealt with people who have had Kentsfield (code name for Intels Quadcore chips) chips running on XPx64 with no issues what so ever

The main thing with a 64 bit operating system is with smaller hardware developers or software developers, there support isnt too great at the moment. With the main hardware components you will be using you'll encounter no issues, but bare in mind, things like webcams, graphics tablets or any other specialised hardware might not be supported, so do check first

As for sound cards, I'm currently using a Creative X-Fi Fatal1ty on Vista Home Premium x64 with no issues, just dont expect regular updates, Creative are lacking in the driver support somewhat

Finally, will say good on you for choosing a self build system, while you have the challenge of putting it together yourself and getting it all up and running, it is so much more satisfying and rewarding knowing you did it all yourself. And you aren't tied down with warranty details like "opening the case voids your warranty" like on some vendors

Good luck with it all :)

[mike0006]

Ya, damn the man and screw those Nazis! (apparently, putting your laptop in a microwave voids the warranty...)

Other than Boxx, I think it's generally better to build the system yourself. (that's if money isn't a concern) It will probably be more headaches but as you work through them, you'll become better at troubleshooting your own problems and in the end will save time when little random things happen. (sending the computer out can take quite a bit of time, and I've always had the computer come back to me reformated. Thx, coulda did that myself...)

Let us know how you like the quad cores. I'm planning on buying parts to build a 2x quad-core Xeon computer by the end of the week.

[kurtw]

It's not my first self built system by any means. Every single computer I purchased since the amiga days was self built. I was just seeking input from anyone who built a 64bit based windows multi cpu/core machine. I was *this* close to just writing a check and getting a HP/Boxx or Mac Pro.

I'll know more this weekend when I put everything together, I'm curious to see how well the geforce 8800 gtx handles houdini across 2 1920x1280 displays.

I did find out that any wireless card that has a ralink chipset will support xp. That means there are 20-30 models of branded cards out there will support my computer out of the box. I did a google search and found a list. Mostly no name generics, but if it works, I'm happy.

I guess I'll be going with a soundblaster card again, probably a x-fi base level card. Hopefully creative drivers aren't that bad. The Fatal1ty branded X-Fi card had a "Windows XP64 supported" sticker on the box which struck me as odd as a gaming product.

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