my turn on a pc, opinions please

[Methus]

clicky (http://www.gateway.com/systems/product/529668210.php)

what do ya think of this i7-920 processor?

[Savistik]

Nice machine. Solid except possibly for the hard drive. A 16MB cache says "2 generations ago". I don't know what the driver situation is like with 64 bit Vista, but 64 bit XP sucks for driver support.

[Freejack]

How is a 16MB cache considered "2 generations ago" when the current max is 32MB? I believe 16MB is the current standard. Just checking Newegg real quick, 8MB has 24 drives, 16MB has 35 drives, and 32MB has 25 drives.

[Walterus]

I think the 920 is very good. Good value for price. I bought a 940, which is a bit more expencive, but then I felt I had the money to invest in one. 960 is even worse, but it's way to expencive atm.

[Solostaran]

It looks like a $1200 PC should. . . . All in all, not a bad deal.

[Jormagund]

I'd be looking for even more RAM. Otherwise it seems good as best I can tell.

[Savistik]

How is a 16MB cache considered "2 generations ago" when the current max is 32MB? I believe 16MB is the current standard. Just checking Newegg real quick, 8MB has 24 drives, 16MB has 35 drives, and 32MB has 25 drives.
There are now 2 "generations" of 32MB cache drives from Seagate and Western Digital. The 16MB cache on a 750GB drive represents the generation preceding the first 32MB cache drives.

It's not that 16MB cache necessitates an older drive. Seagate's latest 7200.12 500GB drive only has a 16MB cache. It's the combination of stats. The performance differences are not as significant (yet) for the latest drives over the last gen, but the jump from the 16MB drives is a BIG performance jump that is definitely noticeable in everyday use.

[Methus]

Well since I havent experienced 32 bit, I wont know any better. If thats my biggest concern I'm happy with my choice. Thanks all for your expert input.