Core 2 CPU: One of Intel's Latest and Greatest Is Inside
This system is built around one of Intel's latest, greatest processors. The Core 2 Duo consists of two separate CPUs on a single die, sharing the same second-level cache. If this machine has a Core 2 Quad, that's two Duos married on the same die for a total of four cores. Meanwhile, Extreme Edition Core 2 processors, aimed at enthusiasts and gamers, are unlocked for overclocking, a process in which you increase the clock multiplier (9X, 10X, and so on) without increasing the computer's frontside bus speed (1066 MHz, 1333 MHz, or the like).
Most consumer applications can't take advantage of more than two cores, so spend the extra money on four cores only if you'll be using an application that you're certain can utilize them. Intel has strayed from the Celeron designation for its budget CPUs, so be sure to check a given processor's cache size and price (more of each roughly indicates faster performance) before buying.
Large Amount of RAM Produces Blazing Performance
Simply put, this computer is likely to offer blazing performance. The large amount of RAM it ships with is more than enough to handle most memory-hungry applications and large files, and as a result the PC won't constantly swap memory to its hard drive.
The more installed memory your PC has, the more applications you can run smoothly at once, and the better the system will perform. Upgrading memory in a desktop after you purchase the PC is simple, but usually it's worthwhile to buy the amount of memory you want preinstalled with the system.
To use more than 4GB of memory on your PC, you need either Windows XP 64-Bit Edition (limited to 128GB) or a 64-bit version of Windows Vista (which can handle 128GB and beyond).
RAID Hard-Drive Setup Safeguards Data
The RAID (redundant array of independent disks) or array controller on this computer helps either to increase sustained hard-drive data throughput speeds by striping data across multiple drives (RAID 0) or to safeguard data by writing it simultaneously to two or more drives (RAID 1).
Other commonly available array modes are JBOD ("just a bunch of disks"), where drives are concatenated serially to create one huge disk (less useful given today's large hard-disk capacities), and RAID 5, which distributes data--as well as parity information--across three or more drives for both increased performance and redundancy.
Included Disc Writer Burns CDs and DVDs
The DVD burner on this system will allow you to burn CDs and DVDs (including movies, with the right software), play DVD movies, install software from CDs and DVDs, and play audio CDs and other types of discs. Most DVD burners have a slide-out media tray, though you'll find some slot-loading models on smaller or more-stylish PCs. Half-height drives exist, too; you'll find them mostly in laptops or external boxes. Since DVD burners are now a commodity item, even entry-level models are fast.
Current ATI Graphics Technology Supports Most Mainstream Tasks
This system offers a recent-vintage graphics processor with all of ATI's latest features, if not the newest versions of them. This system will drive any modern display at full resolution, handle high-definition video decoding, and support DirectX 10 and OpenGL 2.1 gaming. Smooth gaming frame rates will depend on the card model, with higher-numbered boards offering better performance, but even the low-end cards will be more than adequate until you reach higher resolutions.
If the model number of the graphics card on this PC contains an X2, it's an indicator that the card sports two GPUs--an easy way to increase gaming performance without actually having two cards.
Support for Multiple Graphics Cards Offers Increased Game Performance
Equipped with more than one graphics card slot, this system allows you to use multiple cards to increase gaming performance. You have a choice between two incompatible flavors of multicard graphics setups: ATI's CrossFire and nVidia's SLI. Your graphics cards must be of the same exact type and standard for you to link them. Multicard graphics setups work by distributing the workload between the cards. While the resulting performance improvement isn't a strict multiple, it can be quite significant.
Note: You can't drive multiple monitors when you switch multiple cards into CrossFire or SLI mode.
Windows Vista: Good Multimedia and Security, but a Resource Hog
This computer ships with Microsoft's latest operating system. Windows Vista offers improved multimedia and networking savvy, looks better than Windows XP, and has greater security than its predecessor, but it can be a slower-feeling operating system due to heavier resource requirements. You can run it with only 512MB of main memory in your PC, but having at least 1GB will provide a much better experience.
Common 32-bit versions of Windows Vista can address no more than 4GB of RAM, even if your machine has more available. So unless you're using the 64-bit version of Vista (or 64-bit XP, if you can still find a copy), a computer with 2GB to 4GB of memory is the right target.
FireWire Port Allows Rapid Data Transfer
The FireWire connection (also called an IEEE1394 or i.Link port) in this computer can rapidly transfer data to and from a range of devices, most commonly video cameras, external hard drives, and advanced sound cards.
Generally desktop PCs have a full-size six-pin FireWire port on the rear, often on a front panel. Some also include the smaller, unpowered four-pin connection that you can find on laptops and certain consumer electronics devices. (Camcorder makers often bundle a six-pin-to-four-pin FireWire cable because of this.)
The newer FireWire 800 (IEEE1394c) implementation is not backward-compatible and uses a nine-pin connector. If your peripheral (such as a video camera or external hard drive) uses FireWire 800, you should double-check to confirm that every desktop PC you're considering supports it, too.
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