asaskater

if you have a good connection to the processor it wont inhibit your performance unless your missing like half of the heatsink. I wouldn't worry about it...but if you insist, you can get a new one for like 10 bucks.

DEF. BUILD! If you dont have the knowhow, get a friend to if you can. Built mine from scratch and saved a bundle, but there are + and - to the situation. By building it yourself you give up that wonderful (but in most hellacious) tech support. Although by building you can save hundreds of dollars. For example, since im in college, I was able to purchase Windows XP Pro. for $10...yes $10 (site license)! Even so, just a few weeks ago i built (theoretically for a friend for a price) a top of the line computer with everything you could need, including the new AMD X2 3800+ (I think), and good graphx card, mem, etc. It rounded out to be around $1400-1600 (maybe less, cant remember exact figure). All parts were chosen from Tigerdirect.com and being a NC native all i would have to do is pick up the parts from the store. This computer was easily compared to the top-of-the-line Dell XPS system, or some Alienware systems. Sidenote: Alienware is a bad comparison, yes they are expensive and over priced computers but they are awesome systems. The tech support is phenominal and lifelong as well, the bundled software is programs that you actually want. Many times also these systems will contain hardware and software that hasnt even been publicly released for individual purchase yet. Personally I wouldnt own one, but dont get me wrong, they are one bad ass system.

haha, that would be nice...free cable for a month or two

FOR THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE NRV AROUND RADFORD AND BLACKSBURG. Yes, charter communications right now is a piece of ****! I have talked to the local branch of charter and the way it was explained to me is because of Verizon's pissy support to their service. Verizon controls the bandwidth in this area and has not given this region the proper equipment to perform at decent speeds. In otherwords, the massive demand for internet is choking their bandwidth in peak hours. In off peak hours (1-6am and sometimes early afternoon) i am getting decent downstream 2.4-2.7mbps...BUT in peak hours i am getting EXTREMELY bad speeds to the extent of 100kbps - 300kbps....From what ive been told this should be fixed by december 22nd.