To build or not to build... that is the question.

[STMahlberg]

Then I guess I have purchased many copies of "illegal" software from several sources and installed them on computers I built for other people as well as the 3 boxes that I currently have in my house. I have also upgraded the Win XP OEM copies to Win 7 without having to call M$ or jumping through any hoops. Just save yourself the money, buy the OEM (original equipment manufacturer, which you would be) and use it. M$ has it's money and the main thing is that with OEM you get no support from them. If you buy the retail box you are getting all the fancy packaging plus their support, for what that is worth.

Edit: Just saw something I didn't catch before... The computers you build for others is not a licensing violation; the 3 you have are unless you bought them with a piece of qualifying hardware. If you purchase just the OEM software without any qualifying hardware and install it on your own computer, that is a violation according to Microsoft.

Please don't mistake my posts as judgement of any kind, they are not. I only posted what I had read and my interpretation of the licensing. The reason that I hadn't bought the OEM in the past had to do with what was said about the upgrading which I have never tried. Personally I have never liked the upgrade disks that they sell... I hate having to use 2 different disks to install 1 operating system.

Dude, STM, I applaud your efforts at being above board, but PLEASE don't pay the extra for a retail pack of Win7. I agree with you, their licensing has us all screwed, but there is a reason Newegg has all those OEM copies for sale! heh ...
I just can't feel good about you giving a giant corporation more $$$ for a box...the DVD is exactly the same one from the same machine inside!
There are just so many better things to upgrade on the rig than a retail copy...I just have to say it, sorry.

I will make sure in the future that I purchase hardware that comes with the OEM version which solves any issue I have personally.

I like everything except the mobo right now. We don't know how Bulldozer will perform yet, but if it's good -and I know you - you're going to want one just like me!

Is there not an AM3+ mobo that you like just as good with at least 3 PCI-e slots? Three GPUs is probably pushing it anyway...another thing to look at is all the Gigabyte mobos, because I think JPM said that they will all be bios upgraded to handle the 8 core dozer.

Just trying to be helpful.

As far as the mobo, I wasn't actually going to upgrade the system when Bulldozer comes out. I was going to build another new system and buy one of those expensive techno-whiz-bang boards that they have out. Building another AMD Thurban now and then Bulldozer later would give me the 3 systems that I would like to have and a place to install all of the GPUs that I have laying around.

[c303a]

STM just keep building and crunching. But buy the hardware and save money on the software. It all works the same.

[STMahlberg]

STM just keep building and crunching. But buy the hardware and save money on the software. It all works the same.

Agreed.

[STMahlberg]

I just got done reading my power meter this morning and WOW! I took the reading at the same time as I did yesterday and I have used 71 kW in 24 hours.

Last month my daily usage was 40 kW. For the most part, weather here is fairly constant this time of year. Running the 3 rigs that I have will consume 31 kW per day; at 0.116 cents per kW (I just found out they raised the power rates again) it will cost me an extra $107.88 a month based on a 30 day billing period.

Now I have some real soul searching to do...

[Beerdrinker]

Install energy saving ligthbulbs. Do it in places where you just need indirect ligth..I did that last year - really makes a difference..

[STMahlberg]

Install energy saving ligthbulbs. Do it in places where you just need indirect ligth..I did that last year - really makes a difference..

I've been a big fluorescent lights fan for 2 decades; it's the first thing I do when I move into a new place.

[Beerdrinker]

I've been a big fluorescent lights fan for 2 decades; it's the first thing I do when I move into a new place.

Me too. But you never know...

[STMahlberg]

I have a new crazy plan... I know what you're saying, "Oh God not again!"

I was looking at this Motherboard GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD7 AM3+. Do you think that I can run 2 ATI HD 5830's and 2 nVidia GTX-460's all together?

That would solve my extra GPUs problem, consolidate to a single machine, eliminate the 2 Dell clunkers, and not increase my power bill.

[Beerdrinker]

GO FOR IT!!!

[Fire$torm]

Good idea there. Just keep in mind a side panel mounted fan will be a must. The Haf X takes a 200mm fan (like one of these) there so you should be good.