Release
Notes
JUNE 2004 MAXIMUMPC 3
Contents 06.
I
can think of few better examples of the
human ability to adapt and evolve than the
rate at which computers become obsolete in
this world. It’s uncanny, and the phenomenon
affects power users and newbies alike. We build,
buy, or set up a new computer, and are initially
amazed at how fast it boots. We become giddy
at how much faster our games run. We marvel
at how much faster our apps open. For one brief
moment, our PC is actually faster than us.
But as sure as time marches on, the rate at which
our systems boot and launch applications feels slow-
er and slower. And slower. Eventually, we’re moving
faster than our PCs can react to us. Repeat this every
two years, and... well, there you have your monthly
Maximum PC reader. As I write this, it’s hard for me
to believe that more than 10 years ago, my 66MHz
486 felt fast. For at least four months, this humble
system—one of my all-time favorites—kept up with
my every word processing demand and gaming
desire. Then it let me down. Just like all the rest.
Why the slowdown? Undoubtedly, part of it’s
caused by the constant, ongoing degradation of
Windows XP. As our hard drives become more
and more cluttered with junk, it’s inevitable that
our PCs slow down a bit. This is why we recom-
mend performing a new, clean installation of
your OS every year or so or after a major hard-
ware upgrade. It cleans the digital gunk out of
your system, and restores it to a pristine state.
But the biggest reason for the slowdown is
that over time, we actually adapt to the speed of
our new system, and then surpass it. Put another
way, our fast PCs quickly become slow because
we become faster. I guess this is a small trade-
off for human beings’ remarkable and highly
evolved ability to rapidly adapt to circumstances,
environments, and tasks.
This is why speed and performance upgrades
are so important to us. This is also why, for
the third year in a row, we’ve devoted a huge
chunk of Maximum PC to testing and identifying
the fastest CPUs, videocards, drives, and even
cables. The faster your PC and its components
are when you buy them, the longer it takes for
your mind and fingers to catch up. Which means
the longer you’re happy with your rig. Which
means the less money you’ll spend.
Got it?
—GEORGE JONES
[email protected]
REGULARS
REVIEWS
Speed Saves You Money
76 Desktop PC: Velocity Micro ProMagixDesktop PC: Velocity Micro ProMagix
78 Small formfactor PC: MSI Mega 865 Deluxe
78 Small formfactor PC: Antec Aria
83 External hard drive: CMS Velocity 200GB SATA
83 External hard drive: Seagate USB/FireWire 160GB
84 Digital camera: Nikon D
86 LCD monitor: Planar PL
86 LCD monitor: Samsung SyncMaster 172X
86 LCD monitor: Dell UltraSharp 2001FP
88 USB headset: Plantronics DSP-
88 USB headset: Logitech Stereo 300
90 Wi-Fi router: Linksys WRT54GS
90 HomePlug router: Corinex Powerline
91 Hard drive: Hitachi 7K400 Deskstar
91 MP3 player: iPod Mini
92 Multi-monitor software: MaxiVista
93 First-person shooter: Far Cry
94 First-person shooter: Unreal Tournament 2004
95 First-person shooter: Battlefield Vietnam6 In/Out
You write, we respond.12 Quick Start
PC previews, news, and factoids.20 Head2Head
This month: OpenOffice.Org takes on
Microsoft Office.24 WatchDog
Maximum PC takes a bite out of bad gear.66 Ask the Doctor
Symptom, diagnosis, cure.70 How To...
This month: Build a media server PC.74 In the Lab
A behind-the-scenes look at Maximum PC
product testing.120 Rig of the Month
It’s amazing what a person can
do with a PC!Page 16
They call it the ResoratorLCD monitor: Samsung SyncMaster 172XPage 15
A 2.5-inch
hard drive!Desktop PC: Velocity Micro ProMagix
Small formfactor PC: MSI Mega 865 DeluxeExternal hard drive: CMS Velocity 200GB SATA
External hard drive: Seagate USB/FireWire 160GBdo with a PC!