PC format - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ChrisGreece52
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 02:23:56 pm
content: Hello i recently formated my pcSpec:4 gb of ram1x 1 tb hd (not ssd)1x500 gb (not ssd)ati radeon hd series 4600andan intel core i5 750 which runs at 2.67 ghz - 2.79 ghzI now have a 32 bit system but i screwed the system up so i have some quesitons1)should i choose a 32 or a 64 bit system2)shall i overclock the cpu to make the pc faster3)what programs (light ones ) souhld i use?Thank you.

author: McMonster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 02:30:51 pm
content: Get a 64-bit OS and don't overclock anything. It is a fairly modern machine, if you have specific needs then you'd have to get a specific hardware. The software is a matter of preference, I don't see a reason to hunt for any "light" replacements for all the common stuff. Using a small (30-60 GB) SSD drive for the OS is probably the only thing worth looking into to speed anything up.

author: ChrisGreece52
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 02:41:49 pm
content: Thanks for your suggestion but as for the programs i was referring to tune up utilities or ccleaner and stuff like that.

author: Alana
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 02:56:37 pm
content: I use CCleaner, Defragler and Wise Disk/Registry Cleaner for software maintance. Proven themselves on my machines and those i service.If you can find/afford OOdefrag is a good proven program too.For the OS - i prefer 32bit WinXp because of some old stuff i use but i think 64bit Win7 may be ok for you. Just stick away from Win8.

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 03:03:37 pm
content: Use a 64bit OS, there's really no need these days to use 32bit operating systems, any 32 bit application will run on the 64 bit os and the full access to 4 GB of memory offsets the minor extra memory usage of 64 bit apps.I don't really use any registry cleaner, with the current operating systems, the registry isn't as screwed as with the previous OSes so there's really no need for it. It's probably 2-3 years since I've used a registry cleaner.Also not using CCleaner but I can see why you'd use it if you try out various crap software - I just install a good antivirus (used to have licensed nod32 but didn't renew it, just installed the free Avira antivirus) and I pay attention to what I install and opt out of toolbars and other things.With that cpu, you shouldn't need to overclock it, the performance is minimal. You'd only do it for games, but games will be limited in performance by the video card anyway, so it's pointless to overclock the cpu.For defragmenting, I usually do it once every 5-6 months or so, and for that I just get a shareware O&O Defrag and leave it running over night.

author: Sionyn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 03:13:15 pm
content: vopt is the best defraggerregistry cleaners don't offer any significant performance increase and often cause more problems than worth though cc cleaner reg cleaner is quite conservative other are not be careful.also you guys might like this talk on magnetic media

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 03:26:21 pm
content: The only problem woth 64 bit is the requirement for signed drivers... A headache if you hobby around...

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 03:30:00 pm
content: Install Win7 64 bit, and reinstall XP in a VM inside it. then you can use the 32 bit stuff with absolutely no issues. If you buy Win7 64 Pro you get an XP key in the package as well, so you can do it. As well install Dosbox, VLC and then choose the antivirus you like and do it as well. Run over to Microsoft Sysinternals and look at the additions there, best are Processexplorer and Pagedefrag as standard.

author: ChrisGreece52
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 03:57:36 pm
content: Thanksi will go with windows 7 ultimate 64bit (and of course not windows 8)and i will try to keep it simple i will use tune up utilities , ccleaner .Some things i did not refer .1) i wont be using genuine windows 72)i am quite a gamer ( i play league of legends and minecraft (light games) so i will need something to make these games run faster)3)also i would like it to make boot faster...any suggestions plzz? ....

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 04:05:50 pm
content: Debian, then use Virtualbox to deep freeze the Win7 inside.Seriously, you cannot find a used PC with a Win7 key on the side?

author: ChrisGreece52
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 05:02:44 pm
content: Thanks but the thing is not the windows but the programs i have a tool that "activates "windows and you can even install MSE with it.

author: 4to20Milliamps
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 05:25:28 pm
content: Nothing wrong with windows 8, I've been using it since last november. Installed all of my old software, no driver problems at all what so ever, no stability issues.I have an ssd and my computer boots in about 8 seconds.Plus I got it for 40 bucks, no complaints from me and I've used every version of windows since 3.1

author: ChrisGreece52
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 05:33:21 pm
content: Thanks but the thing is that i dont like windows 8 at all.the thing is the app concept fail.... i hate itanother huge bummer is that you have to install a program to make it look like windows 7as for the ssd its not a bad idea.... it would be good to have the windows and programs into the ssd and move the data to an external hard drive.but it would be awesome if you suggested me some programs to improve the performance and keep it running.

author: 4to20Milliamps
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 05:46:39 pm
content: As far as I can tell the new version of windows is superior to the previous versions, no performance upgrades needed.The ssd and ram will be your best bet, the drives come with software to transfer your files, it's easy.The IT guys at work refuse to get rid of windows xp, I really don't miss it now that I've been using windows 8.

author: Rufus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 06:42:13 pm
content: Quote from: 4to20Milliamps on March 31, 2013, 05:46:39 pmSome of windows 8 is an improvement over windows 7 some of windows 8 is shite. If I could install it without the shite bits I would be using it.You can't install it without the shite bits because the shite bits are its main reason for existing. Microsoft's aim with windows 8 is to force a shite user interface on its captive desktop customers to promote use of that interface and windows on tablets and phones.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 07:06:04 pm
content: Quote from: 4to20Milliamps on March 31, 2013, 05:46:39 pmThey will be forced to upgrade soon. I do know though that a lot of the newer computers are coming with Win7 64 pro, and are using the embedded XP inside to run legacy stuff that is needed. You know a lot of banks still run on Win2k still, even if it is a virtual copy running on a vm running itself on a Xp copy which itself is being run on Win7. Plenty of places I see running a VM with DOS in it to run old legacy accounting packages, the cost of changing is just too much to do all the historic data conversion. That can be expensive, having 2 book sets to maintain and to look up for every transaction with existing customers for a 5 year period.

author: madshaman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 10:31:29 pm
content: Quote from: ChrisGreece52 on March 31, 2013, 03:57:36 pmSSD if definitely the right choice for boot speed. The reason everyone is telling you not to overclock is because it's simply not worth it for trying to get a few more cycles out of your machine and you're on a budget. It's really only worth it if you've got money and can afford to replace your CPU if you kill it, or the expense of properly cooling it if you don't want to kill it (and you might kill it anyway). It's really more for hobbyist fun and trying to have the fastest of the fastest without buying an overpriced CPU. Ymmv, but what you'll gain in reliability will outstrip what you lose in speed (and yes, there are going to be people who have had a massively over clocked system running stably for ages, but part of that is luck of the draw in getting a CPU that in the high end of the bin it got put into instead of the low end, and a lot of that is luck)

author: ChrisGreece52
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2013, 11:56:39 am
content: Thank you i now have the info i need

author: Skimask
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2013, 11:22:10 pm
content: Quote from: Sionyn on March 31, 2013, 03:13:15 pmSteve Gibson's "Tin Foil" hat willNEVERbe big enough or thick enough!

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2013, 03:41:58 am
content: Quote from: free_electron on March 31, 2013, 03:26:21 pmNever had that problem with Gentoo or Ubuntu...

author: brainwash
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2013, 12:50:54 pm
content: I would say a minimum of 64GB SSD for the system drive. Rule of thumb for SSDs (for now): the bigger the drive the faster it is.8GB RAM as minimum, you'll get much better performance with Win7/Win8.Win8 is actually ok and you'll enjoy better support for more time, a lot more features for lower price (backup on network for example). Just install ClassicShell and you'll be fine.More than 8GB is useful if you use VMs. That will be the future since it's a lot cleaner and safer to have those around. Also, if you replace your machine in the future you only need to copy them vs. reinstalling everything.I would stay away from any "cleaner" software unless you know exactly WHAT it is doing and understand WHY. For example I use CCleaner for clearing free space on an SSD with XP on it (TRIM replacement). I would guess that 90% of the time the registry cleanup is not providing any improvements and is only asking for trouble.Overclocking is fine as long as you are willing to risk the instability and provided you are at least aware of the temperatures. That said, the i3/i5/i7 CPUs have a different type of overclocking than the usual one.

author: ChrisGreece52
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2013, 04:02:01 pm
content: Thanks everyone for your suggestionsAs for the Ubuntu ... i dont think so i need my desktop to have windows on it (yes i like ubuntu and i have tried it but i dont like it for everyday use)As for the SSD maybe in the future i got more important stuff i need to buy (soldering station phone maybe because the Xperia X8 i have is .... crappy)also upgrading the ram can be cheap and a lot useful.So thank you.

author: ChrisGreece52
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2013, 10:50:47 am
content: I formated my PC and i installed windows 7 64 bit but the syster recognizes only 2 of 4 gb of ram!!!What shall i do ?

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2013, 11:10:09 am
content: On board graphics grabbed 2G for itself, or one RAM stick is either faulty or misinserted. Open up, disconnect ( with power cable removed so the 5V SBY supply is off) the chips and wipe the edge connectors carefully with a clean dry cloth then reinsert and try again. On board graphics buy an external video card.

author: Alana
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2013, 01:02:26 pm
content: On board VGA rarely grabs more than 256meg so its rather a case of bad connections on RAM or even bad ram. I'd start with removing one stick of ram and testing if PC starts and how much RAM does it see. Then the same with the other. And then - if one fails cleaning connections. But from my expirience dry cloth is not good enough, especially if pc owner is a smoker. Acetone or nitro paint thiner is what i use. Isopropyl alcochol may be good too but i havent seen that in shops around me so i dont use.

author: Tidwell420
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2013, 07:51:44 am
content: first a 32 bit version of windows will limit you at 3gb of ram second you have a fast system configuration as is but if you plan to overclock at some point do not skimp on cpu cooling and for number three i have couple of apps i know of you might find useful first is iobit.com many usefull tools on that sight such as advanced system care