Topic: There's 5 hours of my life wasted - computer upgrade

[eigenvector]

I needed to replace the CPU and motherboard on my computer - too old to do what i needed.

I must be getting older or something because I was baffled by the array of choices you can get.  I did server administration for a long time, so I'm not a newbie - but geeze Intel could you make it any more complicated for the general population?   i3, i5, i7 dual, quad, 6, 8 core, LGA 1155, LGA 1150, LGA 2011

First time I felt like an idiot in a computer store.

But I am now back online, tossed Win 8.1 and went back to Win 7.

[madmtnmotors]

LOL. I feel your pain. You might have given up on Windows 8 a little too soon. I have had excellent results with a little free utility called "Classic Shell". It will give you back your start menu in Windows 8, it will boot straight to your desktop (bypassing the "metro" interface entirely), and overall tames it pretty well. Windows 8 is still a little wonky, but Classic Shell makes it easier to cope with. 

As for Intel, hard to say what's going on over there. The monkeys must have broke out of the lab and are now in charge of establishing the pin count for the cpu sockets!   

[eigenvector]

LOL. I feel your pain. You might have given up on Windows 8 a little too soon. I have had excellent results with a little free utility called "Classic Shell". It will give you back your start menu in Windows 8, it will boot straight to your desktop (bypassing the "metro" interface entirely), and overall tames it pretty well. Windows 8 is still a little wonky, but Classic Shell makes it easier to cope with. 

As for Intel, hard to say what's going on over there. The monkeys must have broke out of the lab and are now in charge of establishing the pin count for the cpu sockets!   

Naw, I used 8.1 long enough to know that, while it isn't bad, it isn't good.  I did like it's ability to plug and play - far better than previous versions, even Win 7's version.  I hated that Metro interface and for certain things you HAD to use it.  They'd better clean up their act for Windows 10 (I think it's just called Windows this time)

At any rate, back in action, got all my settings back, tossed a bunch of junk I probably didn't need.

[Retro Rocket]

Win 7 is too bloody slow...!!!! I can't wait to get rid of it, Win 8's much faster. Not real happy that win 10 is subscription only, they can jam that where the sun don't shine, greedy bastards....!!!!

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Thinking about a new machine myself. I am WAY too comfortable with XP and Outlook express!! That's the BIGGEST downside. If your Win7 or Win8 are legit you can get the free 10 upgrade in a few months which is said to combine the best of both.

Processors - I saw a system that had an AMD processor that sounded kick ass. I found their nomenclature more confusing than Intel which at least uses 3, 5, and 7. Now, how the hell do you compare??

Anyone have preferences of AMD or Intel and why? 

[madmtnmotors]

Anyone have preferences of AMD or Intel and why? 

Intel has been kicking AMD's a$$ since the introduction of the core2duo. Their latest core i5 will outrun AMD's best. AMD can put together a respectable machine for those on a budget, but for pure performance AMD has been playing catch up to Intel for quite some time now. 

My apologies to any AMD fanboys out there...   

[fmctm1sw]

I know what you mean.  It all moves so fast when it comes to computers.  Here's a benchmark site I reference:  http://www.cpubenchmark.net/  Make sure you get one with USB 3.0 ports too..

[Bailgang]

This is where having a son who's a computer I.T. manager and is always upgrading his own stuff comes in real handy because not only can he answer my comp questions but I'm always getting his "hand me downs" when ever he upgrades his own computer. He recently gave me his old mainboard and cpu and my comp flies now. Biggest improvement was using a solid state HD this time around.

[eigenvector]

I was shocked by how much the SSD drive changed things.  I was equally shocked by how light and small they were.  Even MORE shocked that people still buy regular hard drives.

At this point it's the motherboard that limits just how small a computer can be - maybe the power supply.  I'm running a 750 watt power supply and it's pretty darn big.

[MoMo]

I needed to replace the CPU and motherboard on my computer - too old to do what i needed.

I must be getting older or something because I was baffled by the array of choices you can get.  I did server administration for a long time, so I'm not a newbie - but geeze Intel could you make it any more complicated for the general population?   i3, i5, i7 dual, quad, 6, 8 core, LGA 1155, LGA 1150, LGA 2011

First time I felt like an idiot in a computer store.

But I am now back online, tossed Win 8.1 and went back to Win 7.

Know what you mean, I bought a new computer with win8, returned it the next day. Larry

[edwardmorris]

Haven't used a Windows machine in two decades, will never use the loathsome Apple iCrap. I'm fond of things staying steady and reliable, so I use Linux.

Cal, you might like this

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[74cb750]

so.....all you techies are suggesting I should upgrade from Windows 3.1?   

[Bailgang]

so.....all you techies are suggesting I should upgrade from Windows 3.1?   

I knew someone who for the longest time wasn't even using Win 3.1 but using straight DOS instead.

[eigenvector]

All in what you need it for.

So long as they run your programs, none of them are 'better'.

[Stev-o]

Apple iCrap

Cant agree with that Mo. We've had 8 iphones/ipads in this household and never 1 issue.

[Duke McDukiedook]

LOL. I feel your pain. You might have given up on Windows 8 a little too soon. I have had excellent results with a little free utility called "Classic Shell". It will give you back your start menu in Windows 8, it will boot straight to your desktop (bypassing the "metro" interface entirely), and overall tames it pretty well. Windows 8 is still a little wonky, but Classic Shell makes it easier to cope with. 

As for Intel, hard to say what's going on over there. The monkeys must have broke out of the lab and are now in charge of establishing the pin count for the cpu sockets!   

Naw, I used 8.1 long enough to know that, while it isn't bad, it isn't good.  I did like it's ability to plug and play - far better than previous versions, even Win 7's version.  I hated that Metro interface and for certain things you HAD to use it.  They'd better clean up their act for Windows 10 (I think it's just called Windows this time)

At any rate, back in action, got all my settings back, tossed a bunch of junk I probably didn't need.

8.1 is decent once you get used to it. I just get out of the app space by clicking the windoze icon in the lower left corner and operate from the desktop. It is different since my work computer is 7. 8 was designed to be used with tablets and actually works quite well with them- I have an Asus tablet running full 8.1, works well on trips.
 

[eigenvector]

So long as they run your programs, none of them are 'better'.

Couldn't be further from the truth... But as long as you're happy with yours, that's sufficient.

Care to back that up with some data - "Couldn't be further from the truth"  If you can qualitatively show that one OS is better than all the others I'm willing to change my tune.

[madmtnmotors]

Un(?)fortunately, my work as a cad draftsman, and the universal adoption of AutoCAD by the construction industry, pretty much dictates that I be proficient with the Windows environment (AutoCAD has not been ported to MAC). It works for what I need it to do. I've set up a few Linux boxes just to experiment with, and some of our shop equipment still uses DOS and SyMAX controllers, so I get to work with a little variety.

[Tews19]

Cal gave me a run down on computers when we were shopping. I went with the IMac. Never going to another system. This thing is awesome!

Cal, don't you have a tiny amount of computer background???

[madmtnmotors]

Actually, most Autodesk products are available on the Mac, and some have been for a very long time. AutoCAD certainly is but not Revit.

I guess that slipped under my radar. According to Wikipedia, Mac compatibility for AutoCAD was introduced in 2011. By that time I was twelve years into AutoCAD and a little late for me to jump ship. If market trends continue we will likely be forced to adopt Revit eventually.

Yuck! 

Worst case, you could always use Boot Camp if you so desire.

Isn't that just a way of running Windows on you Mac hardware? Isn't that considered sacrilege by the Mac purists?   

[edwardmorris]

@Stev-o yes, my dislike of Apple products is mostly because of their UI and general policies. I'm sure their products are good enough for use and no doubt better than anything Windows based. I'm more a fan of Android based systems largely because I'm a Linux guy.

@Cal, the UI in Macs is what I really don't like, along with their non standard keyboards and at one point single button mice What I dislike more, is that its a BSD based system but locked down. I have a fair bit of OCD, I like fine tuning my stuff to my liking, and keeping it that way for as long as I can get away with it all only possible with Linux right now.

[edwardmorris]

.......... Locked down for good reason, actually. Thats what makes it more stable, and less unsecured..............

That's an oil thread from a different forum so I'll stop now.

I agree with the realistic part of your post though.

[Stev-o]

All this computer talk bores me!  Anyone ride there bike today?! [I did yesterday]

[Tews19]

I did but it ran like poop

[Duanob]

so.....all you techies are suggesting I should upgrade from Windows 3.1?   

Nooo don't do it!!!