Nicholas wrote:
> Thank you Paul for the clear and concise information. I now see where
> you were going. It has been a while since I really built a system (6
> years). If I remember correctly, a change of mobo would require mobo
> driver changes as well and assorted other configuration work. If I
> could just slot in the current hard drives and go I would consider it.
> At present, a clean HD and reloading all the software is not something
> I'd like to undertake.
>
> I will be in the market for a new machine later next year. I am not sure
> where 64bit systems have reached or whether the Windows XP/Vista 64 bit
> OS's have reached the point where they make a usable difference for me.
> At present my main software is 32bit. CorelDRAW X3, AutoCad, and
> Sketchup. Again, I'll need to research the compatibilities of
> OS's/hardware/software for what I want to do. I do have preference for AMD.
>
> I have also been paying a little attention to the Apple systems capable
> of running Windows, purely because a majority of people in my field use
> Apple machines. That in itself would never a be a deciding factor, but
> if I came across Apple only program that I had to have then...
>
> What is the "cutting edge" AMD platform that I might look at, that will
> still around next year? i.e. Socket what?
>

Socket AM2 will still be around next year. AM2 uses DDR2 RAM, and the
degree of improvement from the RAM perspective, may depend on what
speed and CAS value you buy. DDR2 is still a bit on the expensive side,
and the price will settle down next year.

In terms of the near future, this article has some hints as to what
AMD may want to change in terms of that socket. The AM2+ split plane
concept, allows running the two cores in a dual core processor, at
different voltages. That is to allow a power saving over current
day operation. It is a small refinement that doesn't impact performance.
I expect in terms of clock rate, things will be more or less the
same next year, as they are now for Athlon64 X2. (In other words,
faster processors will come out, but you won't be able to afford
them.)

http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=35211
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=35902

In terms of changing motherboards in your existing machine, you can
do a "repair install". That preserves your settings and your
existing third party software installs. My recommended upgrade
procedure, is to buy a new hard drive, make an exact copy of your
current disk (I do that with an old copy of Partition Magic, but
maybe the disk manufacturer has software to do something
like that too.) Once you have the exact copy disk in hand, you are
prepared if something goes wrong. You can uninstall your current
video card drivers, just before shutting down and starting
"surgery" inside the computer case. Then, reinstall the video card
drivers after the new motherboard chipset drivers have been installed.

Instead of doing a repair install (which requires putting back service
packs and all those Microsoft patches), you can create a new hardware
profile (I've used that in Win2K), or you could delete the whole hardware
enum in the registry (another method to get rid of the old drivers).
Techniques like that are more difficult to get right in one attempt.
Which is why you have the exact disk image, in case you need to back out
and try again. For example, in retrospect, on my last motherboard
upgrade, I should have removed my old sound card software before
I changed the hardware. I now have a mixer panel running, for
a sound card that doesn't exist :-) While a repair install
takes care of most of the details, using your brain and thinking
about what is changed between the old system and new, is a
good thing to spend 5 minutes thinking about. Expect the software
side of things, to cost you a couple of evenings, and perhaps
an extra grey hair or two.

In terms of logistics, it may be easier to remove all the components
from the computer, and set them up on a table. Don't put the components
back into the computer case, until the repair install has been sorted
out with the new motherboard. It is a lot easier to work on a table
top, with everything easy to reach, and unplug etc., than to be doing
all the work while everything is inside the computer case. I put a
thick telephone book with cardboard cover, underneath the motherboard,
to provide support. The only dangerous part of doing stuff like that,
is the risk of pulling the video card out of the slot. Don't allow
any small children around the table, while you are working on
the system. My last two upgrades, were completely booted and tested,
while sitting on the table in pieces.

Paul