I'm going to bed

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• Anand Lal Shimpi - Tuesday, February 3, 2004 - link

  The Confused
  
  I'm assuming you're talking about Computer Science vs. Computer Engineering, which largely depends on the school you're talking about. At NCSU for example, Computer Science is basically a software/programming major while Computer Engineering is basically Electrical Engineering with a couple of Computer Hardware related classes.
  
  At NCSU Computer Engineering is a much more difficult major because of the extensive Electrical Engineering influence; be prepared to use quite a bit of calculus. If you were coming to State I'd say go for Engineering if you want to know how the hardware (circuits, etc...) works while go for CS if you want to know how the software (OS, algorithms, etc...) works.
  
  My personal preference was obviously Computer Engineering as I've always felt that the best way to learn Computer Science is to sit down and teach yourself (that's how I've always learned to program). If you really want to go into programm then a very good understanding of math is necessary (especially if you want to do any 3D programming), almost to the point where you might want to consider becoming a math major.
  
  But most importantly you have to make sure you know what sort of programs exist at the college(s) you're applying to. At some schools "computer science" includes a more hardware focus, while at others it is strictly software. Then at some schools Computer Engineering will have more of a computer hardware focus while at others (like NCSU) it will have more of an Electrical Engineering focus.
  
  I hope this has helped, if not feel free to ask for clarification on any point I've made or if you want to know more.
  
  Take care,
  Anand
  

• UlricT - Monday, February 2, 2004 - link

  whoops #6... thanks for the clarification

• The Confused - Monday, February 2, 2004 - link

  Anand, what determining factors would make it so someone could choose if they will pursue a computer science degree or engineering degree?
  
  I'm starting college and am so confused.

• Anand Lal Shimpi - Monday, February 2, 2004 - link

  foo
  
  I think Part 2 will be just what you're looking for :)

• Anonymous - Monday, February 2, 2004 - link

  Anand already discussed about his raptor review. He is putting it on hold.

• UlricT - Monday, February 2, 2004 - link

  is the raptor review anywhere on the horizon? been hearing about that for some time now... or is it a vapor-review? :p

• foo - Monday, February 2, 2004 - link

  I hope your Opteron vs Xeon has some good MS SQL comparisons. I am trying to convince our IT director to at least *consider* AMD. However he said he would when i found some *relevant* benchmarks. All I can find are MySQl or Web benchmarks. He dismissed the last DB performance in anand's aritcle because of how few transactions a sec it did.

• SeraphsSati - Monday, February 2, 2004 - link

  Thats what I thought. hmph

• HammerFan - Monday, February 2, 2004 - link

  simple: you can't...its been a looooong time since a PS review, and I don't remember there ever being a case review here

• SeraphsSati - Monday, February 2, 2004 - link

  Where can I get good power supply and case reviews on this site?