The systems that I own now are listed below with links to help me find support, updates and drivers in case of problems. Included are links to my favorite software for quick reference.

Primary Gaming Machine

My first computer ordered from an online store - built to my specs. I chose iBuyPower.com because they had a great reputation, and they had the motherboard, processor and graphics card I wanted - plus I could order it with Windows XP Pro (I don't like Vista). Ordered on March 13th & received on April 7, 2009.

Case: Nzxt Alpha Gaming Tower Case w/420W Power Supply Black (blue lighting)
OS: Windows XP Professional SP3
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 (4x 2.83GHz/12MB L2 Cache/133FSB) (Driver: 5.1.2600.0 4/1/04)
Motherboard: Asus P5E3 Premium/WiFi-AP @n Intel X48 Crossfire Chipset w/7.1 Sound, Gb LAN, S-ATA Raid, 10 USB 2.0 ports, IEEE-1394, PCI-E 16 (Bios version: 0704 02/12/09)
Hard Drive: Hitachi 320GB Serial-ATA-II, 3Gb, 7200 RPC, 8M Cache (Driver: 5.1.2535.0 7/1/01)
Power Supply: 750 Watt Corsair CMPSU-750TX, Quad SLI Ready
OS: Windows XP Professional SP3
Memory: 4 GB [2 @ 2GB] DDR3-1333 Corsair Memory Modules
Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce 9800GTX+ 1GB w/DVI + TV Out Video (Driver: v.182.50 4/02/09)
Sound: Analog Devices SoundMax 3D Premium Surround Sound Onboard (Driver: 5.10.6310 (4/2/09)
Speaker System: iBuyPower 2.1 Channel Stereo Super Bass Subwoofer Speaker System
CD/DVD Drive: Lightscribe Technology LG22X HL-DT-SL DVD-RAM Dual Format/Double Layer DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Drive Black (Driver: 5.1.2535.0)
Network Card: Onboard LAN Network (processor has 2 LAN connections)
Floppy Drive: Mitsumi 1.44 MB Internal Floppy Drive
Advanced Build Options: Professional wiring for all cables inside the system tower (to achieve exceptional airflow in the chassis)

Shipped with the above, but holding for later use:
Keyboard: iBuyPower USB Keyboard with 18 Internet Hot/Multimedia Keys Black
Mouse: iBuyPower 1600 dpi High Sensitivity Internet Mouse Black

Existing Hardware attached to this machine: (from Secondary Machine)
Monitor: Acer 19" TFT LCD Flat Panel Monitor AL 1917A (12/25/06)
Keyboard: Kensington Model #K64370
Mouse: Microsoft Wheel Mouse Optical
Scanner: Canon LiDE 80
Printer: HP Deskjet 6940
Power Backup: APC Back-UPS 500

Additional Parts I want to use from my Secondary Machine:
CD-ROM: Asus CD-S520/A4 (52x)

Comments:
This is a Great computer! The whole system is quiet and the cooling fans do an awesome job. iBuyPower makes a very nice machine. Everything was the way I ordered it, without the unnecessary software that is sometimes installed on a new PC. But I do have a few complaints:

1. There was no "recovery" disc
2. I couldn't tell which of the 2 CDs contained the drivers in case I need to re-install
3. No Serial Numbers for installed components were included
4. Printed manual for the Motherboard only (no other components)

Secondary Gaming Machine

I bought this gaming PC on July 29, 2004 - built by my favorite local shop, Uptime Computers, a company I've been doing business with since the 1980s. This is what they called their "PerformaStation", which I got in black. They don't build home systems any longer and have switched to offering service for large corporations.

To their standard specs, I added more RAM, a higher-performance video card, and an additional CD-Rom drive. From my old PC (which was converted to the Work Computer), I was able to use my speakers, printer and monitor. I bought a new scanner and gave my old one to a neighbor. This system lasted very well and longer than most, but in mid-2008 it was showing its age. It wouldn't play Elder Scrolls: Oblivion and had trouble with The Witcher, for instance.

Now this system is unconnected and some parts have been purged from it for my Primary Gaming Machine (above).

Case: Enlight EN-72500AZB Mid-Tower (black) w/300W Power Supply
Processor: Intel Pentium 4 2.8GHz "E" 800MHz
OS: Windows XP Professional SP3
Motherboard: Intel D865GBF - 865G Chip Set (AGP 8X; ATA-100; 6 USB & 3 PCI) Chipset drivers last updated 10/5/08
Hard Drive: 80GB Western Digital 7200RPM 8MB Cache
RAM: Crucial Technology 2.5GB 184 pin DDR PC3200 (upgraded 4/24/07 from 512MB)
Monitor: Acer 19" TFT LCD Flat Panel Monitor AL 1917A (12/25/06)
Video Card: ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 256MB DDR; 700 MHz (Driver & ATI Catalyst last updated 10/3/08 w/driver 8.530.00 8/20/08)
Sound Card: Analog Devices SoundMax 4.0 (built in on Motherboard - get drivers from Intel)
Speakers: Altec Lansing Multmedia (no subwoofer)
CD-ROM: Asus CD-S520/A4 (52x)
DVD-ROM R/W: NEC ND-3520A (Replaced existing Asus CD-RW drive Feb. 2005)
Floppy Drive: Teac 1.44MB
Modem: U.S. Robotics 56K Voice

Extras included from Uptime: Intel Pro/100 Network Connection w/CAT5 Network Cable; Norton Anti-Virus 2004 OEM w/1 year subscription and updated definitions; notebook with all manuals, CDs and system information; Mousepad; Windows XP Professional User Reference Guide and "on-site one year parts and labor warranty".

Work Computer

Our former work computer went south in July 2004, so it was ditched and my former gaming machine was changed into the work computer. Bought November 3, 1998, this "generic" computer was built by a different local shop. It's had various problems over the years, especially because it came with the first release of Win98 and has an unsupported video card. Now it is used primarily for running our equipment and accounting software. This is a clean, fast-booting machine since it's not connected to the internet and has no unnecessary software or frills. This is the last machine we own that will still run MS-DOS based games.

Processor: Intel Pentium II 400 MMX
OS: Microsoft Windows 98 SP2
Hard Drive: 40GB
RAM: 256MB (upgraded Feb. 2002 - was 128MB)
CD Rom: Asus 520S 52x and PlexWriter 12/10/32A
Generic 3.5" Floppy Drive
Video Card: Intel740 with Video Capture
Sound Card: Yamaha OPL3-SA
Speakers: JUSTef Multimedia AC-691N
Modem: Rockwell HCF 56K PCI
Mouse: Microsoft PS2 with Wheel
Printer: HP Deskjet 822

Multi-Use Laptop

We travel so much and sometimes are gone for several weeks at a time, for business as well as pleasure. Keeping up with e-mail became a problem, so this machine comes in handy. Bought in December 2001, it is intended as a work-related machine and wasn't supposed to be used much for gaming. But, it can run some older games so I've played some on it too. All driver updates must be downloaded from Dell.

Dell Inspiron 8100 Notebook:
Processor: Intel Pentium III Mobile 1.0 GHz
OS: Windows XP Home Edition v. 2002
Hard Drive: 20GB Ultra ATA Hard Drive
RAM: 256MB
CD: 24X CD/DVD combo drive (TEAC 224E)
3.5" Floppy Drive (Hitachi DK23CA-20)
Monitor: 1.0 GHz 15" Super XGA
Video Card: 16MB DDR 4X AGP Nvidia GeForce 2 Go
Sound Card: ESS Technology Maestro PCI Audio (WDM)
Modem: 56K (LT Win)

A Few of Jeanne's Favorite Programs

• Paint Shop Pro (by Jasc, acquired Corel)
• WinZip
• Quicken
• The Master Genealogist Gold
• UHS Reader for Windows
• NoteTab Pro
• HyperSnap
• WinGrab