Thanks :)

It gave some good information that I needed, but I guess I should phrase my question better.

I guess what I'm asking is, say I make one partition for my operating system (windows xp home) and one for everything else, can literally everything else go on the non-operating system drive, or do some applications have to be saved to the Operating system drive in order to work?

I hope that makes sense, lol.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as my PC should be ready tomorrow and I'd like to get this partitioning out of the way and on to my installations :P

starting from scratch on a 500gb HD btw.

Also how big should I make the operating system drive for XP, to include updates and still have some space left over?

Hey, I just had a question about hard drive partitioning. I don't want to do this for organization or dual booting or whatever, I just read that some people install just their operating system and "apps" to one drive, then all their other stuff to the remaining hard drive space. I'd like to do this in case I need to reinstall my OS or perhaps move up to Vista from XP. I just don't know what needs to go on that primary drive, JUST the operating system and its updates, or does anything else need to go there too?

If anyone could help or atleast just link a website about this thatd be great. I coudln't find any specific steps online.

I just want to make it easy in case I install a new operating system later.

What I read online was to use one of the drives to store "Operating system and apps"

What does it mean by apps? All applications, or just stuff crucial to running the computer?

If someone could elaborate Id appreciate it. :)

Well my new computer should be ready in the next couple of days, and I've been reading up on hard drive partitions.

I'm not looking into this to stay more organized (I stay organized fine with one :P), or to boot multiple operating systems.

I was reading some of the advantages of partitioning and there was something about installing my operating system and stuff onto one drive, then I guess use the remaining HD space for just normal stuff.

The reason I'm looking into this is that I'm using Windows XP right now, but if I did want to upgrade to Vista later on, wouldn't this make the process much easier, as I wouldn't have to lose all my files.

Could anyone tell me if they do this? If you could please provide details as in what exactly you use each drive for, that would be great, and give me the advantages over one hunk of drive :P

Ill have a 500gb HD btw.

I know building your own is cheaper, I just had a question about this system.

They are now offering the Q9450 Processor with one of the starting prices.

This means that it is using a newer motherboard correct? One that supports the new 45nm processors?

I was thinking about getting this system, but upgradeability bothered me, but now it is looking better.

Also, are there any real issues with the XPS 630 (besides the price :P)

I remember something about the sound card not working with Windows XP? Which is what I'd be getting.

I really need help with this. Thanks.

On Dell's site, there are 4 starting price points for this system, but only one "version" offers the Q9450. This means that it's using a different motherboard than the others, correct? One that supports the new 45nm processors?

Sorry if this is a stupid question, I'm just making sure.

Ok, so after going from looking at a Dell computer online, to having a computer built for me in a local computer store, I'm now leaning towards just building it myself. I'm fairly certain everything will work together, the only thing I get a little confused with is the power supply stuff.

Also do I need some sort of cooling system with this setup if I don't plan to overclock?

And also if anyone could post some guides to built-it-yourself computers that would be awesome. Specifically, just how to actually put it all together once I have the parts.

Anyways I just want your feedback on this rig. Paying $1400 for it. I would just like suggestions for part swaps or compatability issues. Oh btw I'll be running this on Windows XP Home.

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=12168387

So since it doesn't really make a difference what combo you run, would yall recommend I go with the faster AMD processor and motherboard that supports faster RAM, or go with the 3.0 Intel Duo Core processor with 800 mhz max speed RAM?

btw both processors are pretty much the same price. Like a 20 dollar difference.

Is this combo alright? I just don't remember ever seeing this combo anywhere, but maybe it is because I have been kind of ignoring AMD stuff cause I've just always used Intel.

The reason I'm asking is that I'm building a computer at a local shop, and the Intel Duo CoreProcessor/Motherboard combo only supports up to 800 mhz RAM and has 3.0 ghz speed.

The AMD one on the other hand is 3.2 ghz duo core and the mobo supports up to 1066 mhz RAM

I don't really want any build-it-yourself comments :P I've decided I'm going to just have it built for me but I would like to know which motherboard/processor would be better to run with an Nvidia Card.

Cool I might consider just doing it myself then :)

Oh, I don't think anyone answered the question about the processors.

What's best right now, Duo Core or Quad Core, and what will be the mainstream in a couple of years?

What speed quad-core will equal 3.0 GHz duo core? If it can be compared like that.