I don't understand the last 3 pages or so. What's the ideal graphics card I should be getting then?
Let's recap.
First, I gave this extremely informative post giving answers to your questions from pages 1-2. I am a genius.
Microsoft did away with the whole "we hide features you already have and then show them when you upgrade as if they were brand new features" shtick they were doing before. The only things you are buying with Pro that you wouldn't have with Home Premium are:
Ability to run non-3d applications made specifically for Windows XP in the "XP Virtualization Mode" (useless unless you are a business that using specially-made computing software that was made before 2007)
Ability to connect to public and semi-private networks more easily and securely with Domain Join
Ability to back up your data to a network, instead of the usual data storage
As you can see, everything else is fair game, no hidden tricks or anything like that. Don't waste your money. And the only thing you would be buying with Ultimate is built-in encryption software and fast-switching multilingual support.
I'll get back to you on the RAM in more detail later, but my advice is to simply stick with 6GB, 3x2GB @ 1300Mhz. That's what I have, and I have pretty much the same specs as you, and it's perfect for, if not more than, what I need.
As for the graphics, the 5870 is extremely powerful, you'll probably never feel the need to upgrade for the next 4 or 5 years.
That was both preceded and followed by inane discussions about monitor resolutions.
Then, Invert3d, always a charm, comes in and tries to make sure the
huge bags of money Nvidia
dumped on his front lawn paid him is being put to good use by coming up with all of these outrageous claims to make you buy an Nvidia 400 series card.
We then realize the following:
dealing with computer makes Duckmeister agitated.
I then throw out a glengarry glen ross quote after WhoDa posts a wonderful steampunk coffee machine.
Reactor Worker makes a well-articulated claim that the 400 series isn't all of what it seems to be, during which he admits one scenario that his link outlines where the 400 series performs well.
That is followed by dkamm65 quoting his link where it outlines the one scenario where the 400 series performs well, and then acting like it destroys his entire argument. Woo!
And that is the exciting conclusion to these events.
dkamm65 05:35:08 AM Posting in New PC.
DO IT