<p>Don't get too excited because plebes don't rate media, e.g., music, TV, DVDs, movies, video games, radio (except on liberty, which is the occasional Saturday afternoon).<br>
Do they have Frys in Texas? ;)</p>
<p>Yes...yes we do have Frys...it's not too common, but we have it.</p>
<p>With much computer building experience that I have, I know that if you have a pentium 4, 3.4 Ghz (this is a high quality processor mind you with the 800mhz FSB + the 2mb cache), it will work wonderfully with the 512 RAM provided. If you notice it says 512 DUAL CHANNEL which means there are two sticks of 256 in the computer to make the 512. Dual channel nearly doubles performace (as opposed to one 512 card), and the memory is the newest DDR2 ram as opposed to regular DDR memory. So the memory they provide would be equivelant to say 2 gigs of SDRAM or 1 gig of DDR ram. I would be more worried about the video card...I wouldn't try any graphics intensive apps on that slugger. Anyway, my two cents..</p>
<p>-David</p>
<p>Dash-9, excellent point about the DDR2 ram, i overlooked that part. I saw the 512 and I was like o man but didn't take the extra important second to look at the details. We are talking about all this upgrading for our computers at USNA (I would like to stick in a better video card among other things), but no one has exactly said if mids are allowed to upgrade/modify their computers. I looked through USNA's acceptable use policy and didn't see anything specific about it, but our course some of the policies are broad and could be used to limit upgrading/modifying computers.</p>
<p>As to the comment about Fry's, its my favorite "toy" store and I have one very close to me!</p>
<p>Personally, I don't see why everyone is so worried about the performance of the computers issued. There will be a thousand and one other things, far more important, than trying to get the computer to run some high-end graphic-intense program to run for entertainment. As far as school work goes, Microsoft Office is really the only package I've ever found a need for...and that doesn't need much to run.</p>
<p>hell...I'm in ROTC at a civilian college and I hardly have time to play computer games...but when I do, my XPS Gen2 can pack a punch :)</p>
<p>Yeah, let's talk about underwear and boots, dangit!</p>
<p>Come on, everyone is fascinated with every little detail of the amazing institution you guys about to join. Wondering, worrying, imagining what it'll be like. Wondering how much of your self and your own unique interests you'll be able to maintain. Y'all will probably have zero time to dink around with your computers for sure, but it's still big fun to talk about 'em.</p>
<p>I have to disagree Spidermom,</p>
<p>During my plebe year, I am sure I will be so exhausted with all the routine, tradition, and glamor of the academy that I will be more than happy to come into my dorm, forget my cadre and all the little stupid tasks they make me do, and just chill with the little things in my room such as my computer...</p>
<p>I hear you Dash. That's what I'd want to do, too. Hope you get to.</p>