Quote:
|
For AP image processing a fast (7200 rpm) and capacious hard drive, lots of RAM, and a fast processor and a big/high res screen will be more important than the 3d graphics card
|
7200 RPM is not really considered fast, it is normal these days. 10k-15kRPM is fast, or you can RAID slower drives (7200) for performance benefits.
Quote:
|
Windows Vista is probably a bad idea as it is a resource hog and there are many apps and drivers yet to be certified as compatible with that vsn of the Windoze OS, so I would stick to XP especially if you are going to use the machine for camera/mount control and data acquisition
|
Vista with 3Gb RAM (now ridiculously cheap) will fly. Don't assume you will have driver problems.. research the hardware you have for Vista compatibility.
Quote:
|
, IIRC XP cannot utilise > 2G RAM.
|
This is incorrect; XP (32bit) with SP2 can handle 4Gb and XP 64bit can handle tens of Gb of RAM. Definitely get 3-4Gb of RAM whether XP or Vista.
CPU and RAM are you friends. Quad CPU is more future proof if you can stretch it. And don't give Vista the cold shoulder without due consideration. Better to look forward than back.