Sweet news Todd! We told you the memory upgrade would help! If only they could have lived up to their word and given you a full Gig. No matter though. You should go online and buy yourself 1 more stick of 512MB 184-pin DDR 400 RAM and you should be blazin'. 1 stick of 512MB costs about $20. Hehe In terms of hard drives, your standard 80GB hard drive shouldn't be real expensive. It should be around $40 to $50. Although now they sell 160GB for $70, 250GB for $80, 360GB for $95, 500GB for $100 - $110, and 750GB for $120. Keep that in mind if you want plenty of space for movies and pictures, etc. I've ran just about almost every anti-virus, firewall, or spyware thingie on my or other people's computers. The best I've ever seen by far is BitDefender Total Security 2008. It costs like $60, but I know a method you can get it for free. I've used ZoneAlarm, but ZoneAlarm noticeably slows down your operating system and your internet and its proven to have flaws in its Anti-Virus. I used to use Avast or AVG in conjunction with ZoneAlarm, but some trojans seem to go right past them. In my opinion, AVG is better than Avast. I've used the la-*test*-('") version of Kaspersky and although good, it does not have a firewall. The best free firewall I've ever used was Comodo Firewall. However, you can't put your faith in all free software, as I said. I made the mistake of doing that in the past. By far, BitDefender is the best. It runs with very little CPU or Memory usage in the background, maybe 1K of memory usage with two or three others running with the same amount. It is simultaneously an Anti-Virus, Firewall, Registry Cleaner, Internet Files Cleaner, Anti-Spyware, and Anti-Phishing. You can even back-up important files with it. I think ZoneAlarm was a little more easier to use and navigate through settings, but trust me, it's definitely worth it. I would also recommend that Slayer try it too and notice the difference. If you feel uncomfortable with me talking about torrents openly, I can PM you on how to get it.

I'd take FF suggestions if I were you though I haven't yet to receive a virus but by all means have one if you are used to download and install programs from sources other than the developers' sites or from a CD in store. I don't use torrants or P2P programs like Limewire or Kaaza or porn :mrgreen: heheh. I'd still have AVG but as I said it cause me problems like having to reinstall BioShock 3 times till AVG finally fixed the issue after well over 1000s of complaints. FACT: every safety percausion (anti virus/spyware/Firewall) will drain resourses...some more than others. Komodo Firewall is the best but too intrusive for my liking. I get the same protection by completely restricting inbound connections to my Windows computer except for specific ports. That should only be done if you know how and which ports. I learned from top IT techs here at EA . Btw they agree with FF on ZoneAlarm and if it ever becomes an issue I'd go back to AVG. I guess i owe FF an apology....I don't always listen to the experts either! :oops: :D

Hehe, slayer. Trust me though when I say it. There is a big performance difference between ZoneAlarm and BitDefender. I didn't learn about it until I tampered with them when fixing someone's computer. They only had about 256MB of RAM like Todd, and it makes a big difference when you have low RAM like that. BitDefender uses much less.

What are torrents and why would we not talk openly of them? I am running at a really decent speed right now, both Internet and PC, think the RAM upgrade did it. So if I buy more RAM will my PC go even faster then??? 1 stick of 512 here is $35.99 + tax and they put it in. (I'm in a small town, everything costs a bit more...) BitDefender 2008 sounds good, of course free is better. If you think I need it and it is not too difficult to install and use. Thanks again guys, T

Torrents are basically someone copying the application from the disk and then putting it on the Internet to share. It's not legal under copywrite laws, but people do it anyway. I've never been a fan of being price gouged for essential computer software anyway. The trick is, you have to install BitDefender a certain way or else it will deactivate your updates claiming you have an invalid key. But the torrent comes with easy steps to avoid that. It's really not hard. Yes, if you get another 512MB stick, your computer will go from 768MB to 1GB or 1024MB. Slayer and I would highly recommend it. No, look for one online, Todd. It's MUCH cheaper that way. You should be able to find one for about $25.

I have 760MB of RAM now, so another 512MB stick would get me to 1272MB, or just over 1.2GB. (Does this sound right?) But, would this make my actual PC go even faster?? Is it worth it?

No. 1GB is 1024MB. The reason you are at 760 is 512MB + your old 256MB. If you replace that old 256MB with a 512MB, you will have a full Gig. I'd strongly recommend it, not just because it will be even more noticeably faster, but because it is much more stable to have two of the same sticks running in your motherboard than two different ones. Sometimes it can cause problems.

OK, thanks for the info FF, I will look into it! T

You should be able to get one cheap. What was the manufacturer of the one you have now?

I haven't a clue............. :?: I may upgrade my original RAM to a matching 512. My speed is decent now though. T

Todd, it should say on a sticker on the RAM stick.

Just got in my new upgrades from Newegg and waiting delivery tonight for the CoolIt Freezone Cooling System and 2nd 260 . Yesturday I got the EVGA A1 680i (SLI) MB and CPU. Thursday I should have it put together and I'll post pics of the finished product.

Sweet! What kind of Antec case is that? I may be looking for some new cases soon.

Well not much more to do. The only future upgrade will be to add a 3d 260 GTX since there is enough room and another fan on the side panel. The case keeps the 2 cards @ 45c at idle and under load never higher than 72c. Q6600 G0 Stepping @ 3.4GHz @ 1.33V/CoolIt Freezone Cooling System/EVGA A1 680i/((SLI))EVGA GTX 260/4 GB 800MHz/320-160HD/SB 4/Antec 900/750W/XP PRO 32 Bit/Vista 64 Bit SP1/22" WS LCD/21" Samsung WS LCD