My Computer Can Eat Your Computer
or:
See You In Hell, Windows XP

Big shout outs to the Mystic and Captain Quantum for guiding me through my first computer build. The Mystic, early in this process, had helpfully noted that none of the components I was considering were even remotely acceptable, and made constructive suggestions like "shut up and buy this list of components I have written down for you, you ignorant Luddite technopeasant." Of course I paraphrase...

The result is a micro-ATX machine built around a 3.1 GHz quad-core Sandy Bridge, with a EVGA GTS450 graphics card, built for well under $600 (excluding monitor) (!!). All this is in a super-sweet PGS Qx-2000 case (a completely gratuitous present from said Mystic, who tried to characterize it as a birthday present...which would have to be either about five months late or about seven months early...thanks again, dude!)

I've been limping along on my antique Babbage Engine + Windows XP ferever fer chrissake. So it is with great pleasure that I move into the 21st century with an awesome new machine...+ Windows 7.

Thanks also to JQ for good-naturedly making several runs for needed supplies.

Now I will be lord god king of the online zombie-killers...