Topic: please help me choose a new computer system for purchase

[heffay]

i use a lot of intensive programs like photoshop, autocad, sketchup, nero, illustrator, world of warcraft (haven't played it yet but once i graduate)  ... etc.

i know some of those are more intensive than others but, hopefully that gives you the idea that i need a strong system.

i'm digging the dual platform software for the macs... that seems ideal but, macs are so expensive.  i've also seen instructions on how to use the software called synergy to turn a dual monitor system into a dual mac/pc system where the mouse can actually travel between the two monitors which has one running the mac side and one running the pc side.

if you know of awesome deals... please let me know that too!

advice is greatly appreciated.

[Gordon]

Check out Micro Center in Denver.  http://www.microcenter.com/at_the_stores/denver.html
They have the best prices on computers anywhere in the Denver area.

[mkramer1121]

Build your own heff (well, not a mac, but a pc).  Its easy and you pick what parts you want.

[Steve F]

i use a lot of intensive programs like photoshop, autocad, sketchup, nero, illustrator, world of warcraft (haven't played it yet but once i graduate)  ... etc.

i know some of those are more intensive than others but, hopefully that gives you the idea that i need a strong system.

i'm digging the dual platform software for the macs... that seems ideal but, macs are so expensive.  i've also seen instructions on how to use the software called synergy to turn a dual monitor system into a dual mac/pc system where the mouse can actually travel between the two monitors which has one running the mac side and one running the pc side.

if you know of awesome deals... please let me know that too!

advice is greatly appreciated.

When ordering or building one, I strongly recommend that you get a motherboard that does NOT have the graphics card "built-in".  If you ever have to upgrade your system for better graphics, you'd be screwed.  Had that happen at work when I needed to upgrade to use AutoDesk Inventor, which is very graphics hungry, and the whole system was slow because of the demand on the cpu.  A Core-2 DUO and a couple GIG memory too.

[Rushoid]

When I bought my last PC, 3 years ago, I ordered it online from http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/Default.asp You can configure one however you want. I'm into computer gaming and used to subscribe to PC Gamer magazine. They have a hardware section and list the specs of a recommended entry-level, mid-level, and hardcore gaming computers. I configured mine based on specs between the mid and hardcore. I've been very happy with it and their customer service was excellent. And the bonus was that they didn't load it with all sorts of garbage like Dell, HP, and all the big guys do. Again, that was 3 years ago, so I can't guarantee that they're still the same.

When ordering or building one, I strongly recommend that you get a motherboard that does NOT have the graphics card "built-in".

I second that!

[Rhonda750F]

Those there are some pretty fancy computers Rush.
Hell, I'm still using my Commadore 64, circa 1982, to get online.

[heffay]

appreciate the input so far guys... btw, i will never buy another dell!  worst customer service i've ever experienced in my life.  long story short, i was on the phone 5 hours one day and 5 the next just for them to tell me that i needed to send it to them for repair    obviously that is why i called them!

right now i'm running a 3 year old dell inspiron that is decent but i want more power

30 gig hard drive
2.1 gigahertz
here's the kicker... only 224 mb ram!

and i seem to remember it having 512 mb ram    would it have been possible during my system reformat that it reverted to 224mb ram?  it sped up after the reformat but, 512 is not the number that i remember.

anyway,  what specs are you guys running and what did you pay?  recent transactions only please as 3 year old transactions don't do me much good.

thanks again.

p.s.  i'm not a mac guy but, i would like to hear from those of you running new macs... those of you that actually use your computers 

[Bob Wessner]

My system (Windows XP) is about 3-4 yrs old, but bought it on the robust side. If you do consider a PC, check the min. requirements for VISTA then minimally double if not triple the resources. Disks are huge and cheap these days. If you do a lot of video, etc. there is no such thing as too big.

[Rushoid]

Your specs are similar to mine. I've only just recently noticed some lag on newer games and a couple I can't play at all (F.E.A.R., for example, operates but looks like a game from the old Atari 2600  ). I've got 512MB RAM but will be doubling that soon. You could probably up your RAM and get a newer graphics card and be ok. At least for a while. Look here for parts, systems, etc.: www.pricewatch.com  If you still want a new PC, pick up a copy of PC Gamer and look at those specs - then compare it to the ones you're looking at. Back when I was in the market I had researched all of this stuff. I've forgotten a lot of it and/or everything's changed since then.

Don't know a thing about Macs. Sorry.

[ieism]

I've been building and using pc's since I was twelve, if you're on a budget and are a computernerd, building your own system is the way to go.
If I would have a $1000, and needed the fastest computer to run the programs you mention, I would build it myself (it's actually really easy).
But if I would have to use one computer for everything, and have it hooked up to an internet connection too, I seriously reccomend a Mac.

If you're into updating your virusscanner every week, or like to live on the edge, go pc.

Just my 2 centss.

[sparty]

heffay,

Buy one of these, they are much cheaper than a new computer.

If we ride vintage bikes, we should use vintage computing devices.

Sparty

[DammitDan]

Don't buy a boxed computer.  They may have pretty lights and impressive sounding numbers, but they rip you off on the buried stats.  For example, a Dell may advertise an 800MHz front side bus, but only includes 400 MHz RAM (and conveniently forget to tell you unless you look carefully).  The ram's speed acts as a bottleneck, effectively cutting your processing speed in half.

Build your own... You will get better products for better prices.  I've had 2 hard drives fail on me that came out of boxed computer (Dell and Gateway), and have never had a HDD fail that I bought separately.

Here's a build guide I would swear by:  http://arstechnica.com/guides/buyer/system-guide-200612.ars/1

They have 3 options:  A Budget Box (which is quite formidable) for about $800, a Hot Rod (which totally kicks ass) for about $1600, and a God Box (which you can imagine, is better than anything you could imagine) for a paltry $12,000.  And the parts they tell you to buy are all tested with eachother for best performance capability.  Prices included  .

The budget box would likely handle all your needs, but a Hot Rod would let you play world of warcraft at full graphics options 

[heffay]

Your specs are similar to mine. I've only just recently noticed some lag on newer games and a couple I can't play at all (F.E.A.R., for example, operates but looks like a game from the old Atari 2600  ). I've got 512MB RAM but will be doubling that soon. You could probably up your RAM and get a newer graphics card and be ok. At least for a while. Look here for parts, systems, etc.: www.pricewatch.com  If you still want a new PC, pick up a copy of PC Gamer and look at those specs - then compare it to the ones you're looking at. Back when I was in the market I had researched all of this stuff. I've forgotten a lot of it and/or everything's changed since then.

Don't know a thing about Macs. Sorry.

hmmm... seeing that we have 4 computers in the house already, it seems kindof redundant to buy another.  i didn't think my ram was upgradeable since i have a laptop but just found a wonderful site
http://www.mikeshardware.com/reviews/dellinspiron1000/index.html
leading me to upgrades and step by step pics of the incredibly simple process 

i've decided to just double my ram at the moment... for a whopping 35 dollars!  i may throw a bigger hard drive in too.

by the way, i came really close to clicking the purchase button on one of the cyberpowerpc mega sale desktop that i picked the stuff i wanted... they are SUPER CHEAP.
at least for a gig of ram
and dvd recorder
and terrabyte harddrives
etc.

thanks for the help guys and if its still not the computer i hope it will be i'll opt for bigger and better.  but, i think the one i have is enough... just needs a bit more

p.s.  my girlfriend is getting a hopped up computer from her parents as a graduation present so, i'll just use hers for the world of warcraft 

p.p.s.  feel free to keep chatting this thread up... i titled it so that future searches may help others.  you've sure helped me even if i don't buy a complete new system.

[CaféElite]

Use these two sites and you are good...
www.tomshardware.com - research
www.newegg.com - purchase

People asking for computer assistance need to start off by stating their budget since that is the largest obstacle. Second are you looking for a laptop or desktop. If your just looking to spruce up your current system it really comes down to seening what the largest processor it will support(pay attention to the cache), adding more memory, and one item people always exclude is a better performing hard drive.

People think of a hard drive as just storage, but like anything there are low spec drives and high spec drives. Most likely you either have a 5400 or 7200rpm drive w/ 2mb cache. If you have a 5400rpm drive that is a huge bottleneck, you need to upgrade now and will be blown away by the performance upgrade(looking at all you laptop and low end desktops). If you have a tight budget I would upgrade to a 7200rpm drive w/ 8mb cache but if you got a decent budget I would get a 10k rpm 8mb cache drive and if your motherboard supports it go SATA vs the typical IDE.

The next large bottleneck is under maintained operating systems. People can yap all they want about MS and yes 95\ME\98 sucked but XP\2k\2k3\Vista are all pretty strong operating systems and will run well if you maintain them. Dont run under the admin account, dont downloard porn from a site that is free(free porn means free access to do whatever they want to your system), run spyware software everynight at like 2am(dont forget to set it up to receive updates), always get MS security update(release 2nd tuesday of every month), make sure your antivirus is updating and dont accept SPAM!!! etc etc etc

Its kinda like riding a motorcycle in sandles, shorts, no shirt, no helmet and never maintaining your motorcycle... you have that choice but its just not a wise one.

Most decent size cities will have computer stores that do free or cheap diags of systems so dont be scared to build your own.

Feel free to IM if you would like my assistance.. about the only way I can give back to this board since my motorcycle knowledge is still pretty small.

[DammitDan]

And download ZoneAlarm.  It's a free (and extremely effective) firewall program.

Do it now.  You'd be amazed at what people are doing to your computer while it's online.

[Rushoid]

And download ZoneAlarm.

Do it now.

Yes, definitely!

[SD750F]

Buy a real computer. I have to say only one word...

APPLE!
http://www.apple.com/

If you have any quesitons... contact me.

Scott

[DammitDan]

Bah, buying an apple is liike buying a brand new spankin new Ducati Paul Smart.

I thought this was a site for tinkerers?  Not much tinkering you can do on a Mac...

[heffay]

i would never buy a mac from apple... 2000 dollars for the system that i want is not what i had in mind.

but, i speak from the position of being a student where i can get things discounted. 

maybe its not even the buying from apple aspect but, rather, macs are overpriced.  i want one yes, can i afford one? no.

but, i could afford the 35.00 that i just paid to double my ram 

[DammitDan]

Niiiice....

RAM is so very tender and delicious.  $35 is a great price, too!  (256 stick?)

[heffay]

yep... that will max out my little inspiron 1000 at 512mb ram

i'm looking for compatible hard drives too if any of you know what i'm trying to find.  what specs do i need to compare to assure compatibility?  anyone know?

[Dusthawk]

yep... that will max out my little inspiron 1000 at 512mb ram

i'm looking for compatible hard drives too if any of you know what i'm trying to find.  what specs do i need to compare to assure compatibility?  anyone know?

Whatever you do, don't get Western Digital, they are the worst hard drives ever, even worse than Dell as a brand. I always stick with either Maxtor or Seagate. Never had a problem with either of those. As far as hard drives with a desktop PC, make sure it is a SATA or Serial ATA drive, motherboards usually will have a minimum of for and a maximum of seven SATA ports, which means you can start off with a single Monter 750 GIG or 1 Terra hardrive and just expand from there as you get the funds. Another item not considered until too late is the video card, You want a GeForce NVidia set up, 7900 minimum, and SLi capable. If you get a Dual PCI-E X-16 motherboard, or for the layman, a motherboard with 2 PCI type video slots, you can run two video cards and up to four LCD screens or monitors, would that be enough desktop for you? Another thing to consider is Intel Vs. AMD, AMD is usually a better gamer and video platform, but Intel is usually better for utilities. I prefer AMD, but get what you are comfortable with. Yes, you'll eventually spend a much prettier penny, but it'll not go obsolete in the next three months.

Jeff

[heffay]

is buffer size on a hard drive same as cache?

[74cb750]

I used to have ZoneAlarm on my system. Took it off bkz it started
freezing up, and kept thinking antivirus/antispam programs were
viruses.

Well, it used to be good when I had MS 98, not on Vista.

[Bob Wessner]

is buffer size on a hard drive same as cache?

I'm more familiar with the term "cache" but some folks use them interchangably. There are really two caches, one on the drive itself and one set aside on your system by the OS.