Fellow Nerds, I have computer build questions...

[DeeK]

I'm building a media computer for my in-laws, and buying parts tomorrow for boxing day.

I'm trying to build as cheap as possible and avoid upgrading to windows 7.

So my questsions are:
- How many cores does windows xp support and what version of windows xp? I googled only to find that windows xp supports CPU's and not cores, so theoretically windows xp should not be able to support more than 2 cores, however, it has support for quad-core. Does it go beyond quad-core? For some of the older programs they are running I'm also trying to stay with a 32bit system. does this affect how many cores can run?

- Networking issues between windows 7 and windows xp. If i am forced to upgrade to windows 7, what are the networking issues between the two OS versions?

Hopefully someone knows the answer to this, as I can't find anything via google.

TIA.

[eblend]

quad core no problems and won't have any networking issues. I highly recommend 7 over xp

[narou]

Windows 7 is a no brainer.. It isn't fucked up like vista. If they can use XP they will probably be fine with 7. IMO I found that when I upgraded 7 I got better system performance over xp.

Why 32 bit?

7 should network with XP no problem. 7 is easy mode.

[Unknown303]

W7 is the bomb. Then install XBMC and you have one sick media computer.

[Thaco]

also 32 bit will limit you at ~3gb ram... pretty lame

[mushi_mushi]

Take a look at this thread:

http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?t=94199 it has many good cheap barebones buillds for ~300.

If you are looking to do things on the cheap I suggest the doing a build on the liano platform. Its Integrated graphics processor is better than current existing intel products, which means you wont have to buy a separate graphics card.

I would suggest the following parts:

cpu/mobo: A6-3650 APU Bundle w/ Asus F1A75-M PRO Motherboard (~150)

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/BDL_A63650_F1A75M

ram: HyperX Genesis 8GB DDR3-1600MHz CL9 Dual Channel Kit (~20)

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX29792

case: Silverstone ML03B mATX HTPC case, the case is currently out of stock at memory express, you can get it from ncix or you can get a different case, which will run you twice as much. (~60)

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX31528

PSU: Personal preference, dont need more then 400 watts (~50)

Once you factor in taxes it works out to ~300. This is without the hard drive. Reason being im not sure if they will stream stuff from the network, or locally.

If you dont want to use windows OS, look at openelec.
http://www.openelec.tv/

[DeeK]

Ok let me try again.

I wasn't asking for a build. I have no problem with that, I got a great deal on an i5-2500k, video card, and ram. so thats already taken care of. I have to buy the rest of the parts should I decide to put these parts into their build or if I'll use them for something else.

So,

What I'm asking is..

Will XP support 6 cores? I know it supports 4, will it support 6?

Will I be forced to Win7 to use the 6 cores, because they want to use many of their older programs, which came out around windows 95. Win7 will not run these programs. I think an emulator would be very difficult for them as they are computer savvy, but not that much.

[mazdavirgin]

Originally posted by DeeK
Will XP support 6 cores? I know it supports 4, will it support 6?

Supports as many cores as there are on a single CPU.

[z2two]

why wouldn't you go windows 7? Going xp is only going to be a burden in the long run...

[WhippWhapp]

A media rig that requires xp, and six cores? 2500K is a quad if I'm not mistaken.

I think what you're referring to is virtualization, and w7 handles however many vm's your hardware is capable of running.

[mushi_mushi]

There are no networking issues between windows 7 and xp, they both use smb. I dont think hardware acceleration is supported in xp, in your case might not matter much because your cpu is very powerful. If this a plain media pc, and you just want to avoid paying for an extra license, look at xbmc live or openelec.

[R!zz0]

Originally posted by Unknown303
W7 is the bomb. Then install XBMC and you have one sick media computer.

Have you tested the new xbmc eden?

[syritis]

Originally posted by z2two
why wouldn't you go windows 7? Going xp is only going to be a burden in the long run...

Originally posted by DeeK
Ok let me try again.

because they want to use many of their older programs, which came out around windows 95. Win7 will not run these programs. I think an emulator would be very difficult for them as they are computer savvy, but not that much.

[schocker]

Windows 7 has built in virtual xp anyways which works well. I think you need Professional or above. I use it at work all the time to run older programs and it works great and is fairly easy to use

[firebane]

Originally posted by schocker
Windows 7 has built in virtual xp anyways which works well. I think you need Professional or above. I use it at work all the time to run older programs and it works great and is fairly easy to use

Viable solution or just get a xp key and cd and use virtual box or vmware.

[UndrgroundRider]

Originally posted by DeeK
Will I be forced to Win7 to use the 6 cores, because they want to use many of their older programs, which came out around windows 95. Win7 will not run these programs. I think an emulator would be very difficult for them as they are computer savvy, but not that much.

Windows 7 has a feature called XP mode. Once it's setup right, you can launch the XP-only applications right from Windows 7. It does all of the emulation in the background.

http://cnettv.cnet.com/windows-7-dem...-50077573.html