TJ Falls

As a follow up to my search for a Router and RAM, I have made my decisions!

For RAM, I purchased Corsair TWIN2X4096-6400C5 4GB XMS2 PC2-6400 800Mhz Dual Channel DDR2.  I installed it yesterday and now have 4 beautiful gigs running in my system.  Using the Windows 7 Performance Meter, my grade for RAM has improved from a 5.4 to a 7.1 (7.9 max).  I’ve now have 2 DIMMS of 1 gig DDR2 RAM that I can always through in there to up the RAM to 6 gigs if I want.  I think I’ll play with what I have in there for now and try overclocking it a bit before experimenting with adding the extra 2 gigs back in.  It’s better to keep just the 2 DIMMS used instead of all 4.

For the router, I decided on the Netgear Rangemax WNDR3700 Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router (Black).  This router has been getting some surprisingly good reviews (for a router).  I’m excited to try it out.   Naturally I ordered it from Amazon just as it became temporarily out of stock.  I’m received an email stating that I should expect to receive it Thursday or Friday of next week.  That’s good as Amazon has updated their site to state if you order the router now, it’s expected to ship in 1 to 2 MONTHS!

I just received notice the router has shipped today!  Amazon states I should have it by Tuesday, however the tracking number they gave me shows it could be here as early as Monday.  I can’t wait!

I’ve just received my copy of Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit from my attending Microsoft’s "The New Efficiency" Event.

I’ve prepped my computer….backed up and double backed up. I’m now ready to begin the reformat and installation.

And so it begins….

The following items are on my long-term upgrade list for my computer:

Additional 4GB of RAM

I’ve currently got 2GB of RAM, my motherboard can support up to 8GB.  I’ll either get 2 sticks of 2GB and run 4GB total, or get an additional 4GB to match with my current RAM and run 6GB. However, 2 sticks are supposed to run better than 4, plus I’d be mixing sizes so I’m worried about some performance degredation there.  I’ll have to see what gives the better results.  I’ll be keeping an eye out for any good Black Friday deals this November.  I’ve been partial to Corsair RAM lately, so I’ll probably be looking at them, but I’m open to any quality RAM at a good price.

Considering

• Corsair DHX 4 GB (2 X 2 GB) 240-PIN DDR2 800 MHz Dual-Channel Memory Kit
• Corsair TWIN2X4096-6400C5C 4GB XMS2 PC2-6400 800Mhz Dual Channel DDR2
• OCZ OCZ2F8004GK PC2-6400 DDR2 800MHz 4 GB Fatal1ty Edition Dual Channel Kit

Additional Monitor

I have one 20″ widescreen monitor.  I’d like to get a second monitor so that I can run dual screens.  Again I’ll be on the lookout for any blowout Black Friday deals.

New Video Card

This is on the longer term list.  I’ve got no complaints with my current nVidia 8600 GTS, I’m just curious to see the new cards that support DirectX 11.

Xbox 360 Wireless N Adapter

So not technically a computer component, but it’s still something I’ve been waiting to get for a while. Unfortunately, it’s not worth purchasing until after I get a new N router.

Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter ABG N

My current Netgear WGR614v5 router is unfortunately on it’s way out.  It’s been a decent router for a number of years but unfortunately it keeps dropping the internet connection (even on wired connections) for a few minutes every so often.  It’s just about time to get a new N based router anyway.

I’ve narrowed my search down to these 3 routers:

Linksys WRT610N Simultaneous Dual-N Band Wireless Router

Netgear Rangemax WNDR3700 Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router (Black)

D-Link Xtreme N Dual Band Gigabit Router

Choices, choices.  Of course I’ll also be on the lookout for any new N Certified routers that may be hitting the market.

My current computer setup:

• CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 @ 2.40 GHz 1.296V
• Motherboard: ASUS P5N32-E SLI (1205)
• Memory: 2 x 1GB Corsair XMS2 @ 5-5-5-18-2T 800 mhz 1.8V
• Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce 8600 GTS (512MB GDDR3)
• Sound Card: Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme
• Internal Hardrives: 2 x 500GB Hitachi SCSI 7200RPM
• External Hardrives: 1 x 1TB OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro and 1 x 2TB GRaid2
• Power Supply: OCZ ModXStreme Pro 600W
• Monitor: ViewSonic VG2030wm 20” @ 1680 x 1050
• OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit

Arriving at the event check in!

Cisco presentation was first up followed by a Windows Phone presentation.

The Windows 7 presentations are about to begin.

Demo of some of Windows 7’s new features including Aero Peak.

…and the Recent Items/ Shortcut views directly from the taskbar

Microsoft’s “the NEW efficiency” presentation has come to an end.

The seminar has finished and we are all to receive copies of Windows 7 Ultimate. Great!  As I get my copy I notice that it’s a 32-bit only version…wha????  Who is the genius at Microsoft that OK’d distributing 32-bit only versions of a product (that sells with both 32 & 64-bit versions on it) at an IT Professional and Developer conference?  I doubt 10% of the audience has been running 32-bit for years!  We were able to turn in our copies and fill out a form so that we could receive a 64-bit version by mail in 4-6 weeks.  Sheesh.  Obviously one can’t get too upset when receiving something for free…it’s just a shame that after such an enjoyable day that I had to go home with such a bad taste in my mouth.  Well played Microsoft.

Preparing to upgrade my computer to Windows 7 (64-bit).  While backing up drivers and software, I noticed that Canon does not have a 64-bit version of their RAW codec.  I came across this free codec pack that looks like it could do the trick.  It supports  bunch of different formats.  I’m only interested in the CR2 format for my Canon Rebel XSi, but it looks like it could be a nice collection of formats for those who need it:

A free collection of 32 and 64-bit raw image decoders for Windows 7, Vista and XP.

via Fast Picture Viewer | WIC RAW Codec Pack for Windows 7, Vista and XP.