Re: $200 Q6600's .... I'd sure go for one of those in a heartbeat at that price; best CPU deal around if you can get in on it! I'd probably pick up another if I was near a Microcenter.
I think the Q9450's are supposed to come out around 24 march for $340ish, and they'll be in scarce supply for a while. They'll be maybe 15% faster than the Q6600's at identical clock rates, but I don't think they justify that big of a price premium on an extra 15% or so performance merit only. Their much lower power consumption is nice, though.
I'm pretty happy with my Q6600-G0 chips, and going with one of these over a Wolfdale dual for similar money is a no-brainer in favor of the quad IMHO.
Re: 64 bit media:
It has been approximately 1 year since I used that link to order a 64-bit install DVD for my first copy of Vista.
In response to your difficulties with the site I thought I'd use my key that I had previously used successfully with that site to double-check to see if I got the same error condition as you have reported.
I can now report that it seems to be presently working for me at least to the extent that I cen get to the screen after the one where I enter my product key and on that subsequent screen it offers the following options; I did not proceed further in the ordering process:
32-bit CD
If your system features a CD drive but no DVD drive, you can order Windows Vista on CD-ROM. The installation files span multiple discs, so unattended installations are not possible.
64-bit DVD
If your system features a 64-bit processor, you can take advantage of its advanced design by ordering 64-bit software media. You?ll get the same interface, features, and functions, but you?ll get them in an operating system that takes advantage of access to vastly more memory. All installation files are on a single disc. Please note that 64-bit media is included in the box with the purchase of Windows Vista Ultimate. The 64-bit version of Windows Vista is not for everyone. Please confirm that your system, applications, and devices are compatible with a 64-bit edition of Windows Vista before installing. Learn more about the 64-bit editions of Windows Vista.
Please choose the appropriate media for your system.
Part Description Language Media Price (USD)
Windows Vista Business 32-bit CD - English English 32 bit CD $9.95
Windows Vista Business 64-bit DVD - English English 64 bit DVD $9.95
The price displayed above includes standard shipping and handling. An additional fee applies for expedited shipping, if selected.
I thought that perhaps their e-commerce site might be having temporary problems, which is still a possibility.
It is also possible that you're having a browser incompatibility with their site. I would make sure that cookies are enabled for all ".microsoft.com" subdomain sites, and that all forms of javascript / active scripting are enabled for it.
It is certainly possible that there is something unique about your product key type that makes it not operate with the site's ordering process. I would be shocked to see that it was a "license type" problem since I would certainly think that Microsoft would want to be promoting Vista 64 just as heavily as Vista 32 (or moreso) to the IT expert / developer / enthusiast community that these events are supposed to attract.
Certainly for all retail licenses of Vista AFAIK your key does entitle you to run either 32 or 64 bit versions.
For OEM versions corresponding to OEMs OTHER THAN Microsoft, I conjecture that they may perhaps not offer this upgrade through Microsoft, but would have a corresponding avenue for the OEM (HP, Dell, Compaq, whatever) to offer 64 bit install discs to their customers.
Perhaps since you just newly registered your "PIN" code and got the key from the automated system it is possible that the key you got isn't in their general database yet because it was only recently generated. Perhaps in another few days it will be possible for you to use this site to order 64 bit media.
I assume you did enter in the correct product key to the site, but I'll mention it just to clarify the last possible detail -- you did (a) enter the KEY and not the PIN, and (b) you didn't make a typo in the key or the CAPTCHA on the key screen, right?
Anyway if you're in technet / MSDN I am sure you can just download the 64 bit ISO image of Vista 64 Install. I'm sure you could also get it from someone that already has the install disc too....; there's no EULA I've ever seen to suggest that ANY valid Microsoft originated Vista 32 key isn't also valid for Vista 64. It is just bizarre that their site didn't work (for now anyway) for you.
Maybe someone else who got Ultimarte from the HHH event can try their key in the 64 bit media site and see if it works for them.
I assume that they didn't do something funny and make a double-layered DVD for these and include the 64 bit install image in some obscure directory or whatever?
Originally posted by: Winterpool
Though I've little intention of installing Vista 64-bit in the near future (has driver support improved?), I thought I'd give the page QuixoticOne mentioned a try. The ordering page asks for the product key: after entering it, I obtained an error 'No Offer Found' and a big red exclamation mark. Tried three times and failed. Not sure how to interpret the error, but I suspect it's something to do with my product key (ie I don't have a licence equivalent to a full retail licence for Vista Ultimate). Or should I interpret the error literally to mean we can no longer obtain 64-bit media in this way?
Please note that I still haven't tried to instal my promotional copy of Vista Ultimate, nor have I been able to find complete licensing terms for our promotional copies. So, strictly speaking, I don't really know what I've got. I should probably just pop the dvd into a random computer and see what I see. Perhaps I'll do so at work tomorrow.
By the way has everyone read Kris's article on the E8500? He
suggested possible street prices of '$299 for the E8500, $249 for the E8400'. What the...
Maybe I should be visiting Micro Centre for a $200 Q6600 after all.