Members system specs in table/spreadsheet format

[dgaust]

Also what's stable for some isn't stable for others.

For instance, I was using the same mobo/tuner combination as another user (TheRob?) and while mine works perfectly, resuming from S3 sleep without an issue, his tuner would occasionally drop out of the device manager.

Same BIOS, same drivers - never did determine what was causing it (he changed tuner).

So in essence, even if the specs were working for someone there is no gaurantee that they would work for you.

[BruceG]

G'day Ozbear and Krypto

Both your replies have begun to make sense to me. Thanks.

I didn't realise that, in the case of Krypto's MOBO example, that there were such regular changes to componentary. Krypto, have you continually updated your mobo or have you merely given an example how 'your' build mobo has since been superceded by a series of evolutions ?.

How does a newbie (ie; me and others) decide what particular species of mobo, CPU, etc to buy at a particular point in time. Should we simply decide to go ahead and buy our components, hoping that they will all work ok post-assembly? (If they don't, then I guess we then move into the fix stage, drawing on the accumulated wealth available on this forum.)

And Dgaust - your comments scare me even more!

Over the months I have a look at many member's build profiles, but the issue that scares me me those is whether a particular build was straightforward, or did the owner go through a whole range of trials and tribulations before their rig 'worked'.

Well - I guess I will never know until I take the big step of deciding what to buy and buying it.

Many thanks for your input - greatly appreciated.

Bruce G

[dgaust]

Originally Posted by BruceG

And Dgaust - your comments scare me even more!

Over the months I have a look at many member's build profiles, but the issue that scares me me those is whether a particular build was straightforward, or did the owner go through a whole range of trials and tribulations before their rig 'worked'.

Well - I guess I will never know until I take the big step of deciding what to buy and buying it.

Many thanks for your input - greatly appreciated.

Bruce G

No need to be scared.... just have a look at common components that people are using, and you'll pretty soon find out if there is a common issue.

Technology moves pretty quick, new boards are coming out every day, and it can be confusing. But if you stay away from the bleeding edge, and look at some of the specs recently proposed in Build Your Own Media Center PC forum, you should be sweet.

Put together something, post it there, and ask for comments.

[BruceG]

Dgaust - thanks. But, how do I know what to buy ?

Only kidding.

Bruce G

[ozbear]

Originally Posted by BruceG

Dgaust - thanks. But, how do I know what to buy ?

Only kidding.

Bruce G

I'll answer that in part, even though you were only kidding. Years ago, the very first thing I did was ensure that any potential components I was going to install (then, on MCE) were on Microsoft's Hardware Compatability List (HCL). Now this is no guarantee, and two components that are both on th HCL may not play well together in the same box, but ensuring that whatever components you select are on the HCL does reduce variables if you you are unfortunate to enter the "fix" stage.

Some components are more problematic than others, if posts in this forum are any guide. I'd estimate that well over half of problems people post about revolve around tuners/reception and video cards alone. Other components, while not without their issues, figure far less on the pain scale., i.e., most hard drives work, most RAM (as long as you have enough) work, most CPUs (> 2 GHz) work, most DVDROM drives (excluding Blue Ray issues) work.

Oz