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Here’s the specs of my next PC

• Intel S775 Core 2 Extreme QX9770 3.2GHz Quad-Core CPU
• Zalman CNPS9700 LED CPU Heatsink
• ASUS S775 P5N-T Deluxe Core 2 Motherboard
• Integrated Sound Card
• Integrated Gigabit Network Connection
• DDR2 8GB Geil 800MHz EVO ONE Quad DDR2 Kit
• 300GB Western Digital VelociRaptor 10000rpm Serial ATA HDD
• 1TB Seagate 7200rpm 32M Serial ATA HDD 24x7
• Seagate 750GB Freeagent Desktop External USB 2.0 HDD
• Internal All-in-1 Memory Card Reader Black
• Pioneer 4x BDR-202BK Blu-Ray DVD-RW Writer
• ASUS 9800GX2 1GB PCIe Overclocked Video Card
• ASUS 9800GX2 1GB PCIe Overclocked Video Card
• ASUS 9800GX2 1GB PCIe Overclocked Video Card
• 22" (55cm) Samsung 2243BW Widescreen LCD Monitor
• 22" (55cm) Samsung 2243BW Widescreen LCD Monitor
• 22" (55cm) Samsung 2243BW Widescreen LCD Monitor
• 22" (55cm) Samsung 2243BW Widescreen LCD Monitor
• 22" (55cm) Samsung 2243BW Widescreen LCD Monitor
• 22" (55cm) Samsung 2243BW Widescreen LCD Monitor
• Antec Twelve Hundred Black Case (No PS)
• Tagan 1300 Watt Power Supply
• Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard
• Logitech MX Revolution Cordless Laser Mouse
• Logitech G25 Racing Wheel
• Powerware 5110/1000VA Line Interactive UPS

Total Price $11,065

I now have two quad core machines. The details are below, but first the reasoning behind the addition.

Research stage

I use PC's extensively for work and my main workstation has to be able to keep up with what I am doing. I have been frustrated with the Vista 32bit low RAM limits, maximum RAM being only between 2.75 and 3.5GB RAM. As I use virtual machines to do development work in, as well running a lot of applications simultaneously RAM is very important to me. As mentioned in my Why I need a quad core PC post recently my RAM usage is often over 80-90%.

So it seemed to me that 64 bit Vista was the only way I was going to improve my machine's performance and allow me to access the full 4GB or RAM or more.

I had been reading with interest Nick Hodges General Melchett Project, where he set out to build a machine with a Vista Performance index of 5.9, the highest available. Full story on the Channel 10 website. I had also been filing various bits of information about Vista 64 and limitations, things it would not do etc.