I'm back to using Opera. Opera 8 beta rulez and rocks this world. This is one browser worth paying for, even if you could probably get comparable prowsers for free - Internet Explorer, Firefox... bla bla bla... Version 8 seems to have gotten it right, for both platforms, PC and Mac. Sure, the new interface is a little plain - but plain and simple keeps things speedy. (Firefox) This is the browser war. And you definitely get what you pay for. LOL
New Computer Fully Operational
OK, the new computer can now be considered fully operational. It has the proper cabling in the right place, I've just installed a proper high CFM fan in the sidepanel as an exhaust fan, and it is now, I'm happy to report that it is fully operational. It's only a matter of time before it becomes a fully fledged computer with it's own complete system. :D
What RAM?
My fickle-mindedness strikes again! :DI decided not to go get my two sticks of RAM. I decided not to go to LYP for a while. I have decided to stick to my decision of going to PC Fair to get what I need. Here's what I intend to buy, if you're wondering.
My shopping list: 2 x 512 Kingston/Apacer/Geil/Corsair DDR400 CL2.5 RAM 1 x 800VA KOSS Automatic Voltage Regulator
That's what I intend to buy at PC Fair. About later down the road, I intend to get a 7.1 sound card. (Yes, it may sound like a waste of money to some, but I think it's worth it to get a good sound card for a good system. ;) ) What about even later down the road? Maybe a processor upgrade. Just kidding. A motherboard + graphics card update is more realistic. :D
My DVD-ROM Drive Died
Yep, the DVD-ROM drive died. Just a day after I moved it into the new computer to install Windows XP and Office 2003, it died. The lock refused to disengage without manual intervention. The end of my three year old DVD-ROM drive has come. Or maybe it was just an opportunity for me to get a DVD burner drive coming to knock on my door. If you're now wondeirng what I'm getting - I don't know. In fact, you know I've been talking about that RAM? I think I won't be waiting until the end of the month. I've been thinking properly, and I think I should get it now. I'm predicting that the shops will be out of RAM by the end of this week, so I think I should get some sticks, ASAP. I'll be going tomorrow. ;)
Initial Benchmarks
I know there are some of you looking for to some OCing action. :D I'm sorry to say I won't try it with my DDR266 RAM. The results just wouldn't be fair to my processor. Here are my results on stock without any additional cooling. ;) I'm pretty sure there are some people who want to see these. They aren't the best marks, but hey, at least there's some OCing to be done. ;) AquaMark 3: 49111 3dmark03: 8087 3dmark05: 3376
I now know how much of a bottleneck my processor was. A huge one. Now that it's out of the way, processor that is actually running a mere 100MHz faster has whacked it upside down.