Windows XP build...
Windows XP build...
i’m planning to assemble the best Windows XP PC I can. it seems the X79 is the final model that still supports XP drivers (though modded versions exist for XP99). choosing between a signal socket and a duel socket is tricky. i’m considering water cooling the motherboard but haven’t found any options with water blocks. the duel socket supports 4 RAM sticks per CPU, while the signal socket allows 8. however, running a duel socket with an XP MB for games presents challenges. i was looking at the ASUS Z9PE-D8 WS, which costs around $500 and lacks RAM or CPUs—most seem expensive despite having multiple PCI slots. it’s possible they’re used for mining rather than gaming. my guess is that many are costly because of their extensive PCI capabilities. i might find a more affordable option with RAM and a CPU later, possibly upgrading the components myself. there are some Chinese duel socket boards with unusual chipsets and possibly M.2 slots, but drivers could be an issue. i have a GTX 960 and will keep an eye out for a compatible water cooler. the 780 model with 6GB RAM sounds promising, though it might run slightly better than the 960 for most games. edited April 19, 2022 by thrasher_565
Single socket setup works well over QPI but struggles on XP. Consider upgrading to an HP Z600 or Z400 workstation—they’re affordable and include board, power supply, case, etc. While some Chinese boards function, my main problem with XP is the lack of drivers for the onboard sound and USB controller, forcing me to use external cards instead.
You'll be using it for performance optimization. It's likely designed for high-end configurations rather than budget builds.
Be careful with the voltage settings; they can seriously affect overclocking success. Stick to a stable configuration and avoid pushing beyond safe limits. The x79/99 model offers solid performance without needing extreme voltages. Focus on reliable clock speeds rather than pushing high voltages.
there are certain HP Compaq Elite models ('silver sidepanel') that support a solid Core2Quad configuration with most standard components, including an ATX-compatible power supply. if you manage to locate one, they usually use very affordable parts.
P.S.: I discovered SATA drivers often have issues in this setup since the system won’t be heavily used. You can use a 64GB compactflash card with an IDE adapter; I have a Winxp laptop that starts up quickly from a CF card, but I need to tweak some settings to bypass the storage restrictions.
Hey there, you're looking for affordable 2GB RAM options. It seems selling RAM sellers is no longer common, so I'm focusing on getting a good block for my setup. I found a seller offering a 77714 set of 3 GB RAM for a reasonable price. For my current rig with an X58 and an ASUS Rampage IV Extreme with an i7-3930K at 3.2GHz, plus 4GB RAM for $273 in Canada, that would work well. The P9X79-E WS from ASUS is another good pick priced at $270 in Canada.
Seeking rams means targeting 2gbit rev b and 4gbit MFR watercooled models, which can seem underwhelming. To elevate the look, add cooling tech but build your own heat spreader—insulation is key. Alternatively, you could hide tissues under the rams; if it shuts off, all water collects on them, creating a cool effect. I’ve run a tech without insulation and still kept my board alive for hours, even with soggy tissues, as long as I ran it that way.
I'm not focused on tech upgrades or anything technical; this is mainly about aesthetics. It's been proven effective on top of the Corsair Dom Plates (2GB C6GX3M3A1600C 8-8-8-24 1.65v v2) but doesn't really help with cooling or performance. I'm sticking to a full MB water cooling setup, just like my X58 used to be. I think I'll move it into the Thermatake Tower 900 so it stays front and center, probably placing it on top of my Thermatek Core 200 W/E. The 98% is still in development—I've finally got a PCIe USB card, but I'm not sure what case to use yet. I'm planning to get an Antec LANboy for air cooling and ordered it. Be quiet! Dark Rock TF 2 for $140—though I'm not sure if it fits the 775 build. I still have my 98 AGP build, but I doubt I can sell it.
My understanding of ultimate is achieving the best possible results, like using tech cooling rams to push performance further. You shouldn't consider a setup complete unless it's maximizing every component's capabilities.