View Full Version : Help with Buying a New PC
Outlander Systems
01-03-16, 12:41
So, I am in desperate need of a new computer. I completely removed Windows and installed Linux.
Linux sucks.
Looking at a couple of different All-in-Ones from HP.
The machine being replaced is circa 2007.
What should I be looking for? I expected PC's in the year 2016 to have unholy hard-drives and heaps of RAM.
Most of what I'm seeing at Fry's, and Best Buy aren't but barely double the specs of my old heap.
My work computer is an absolute monster, but I don't *think* I need 8GB graphics cards for causal gaming, and surfing the web...
I honestly figured available computers would have been more impressive in the year 2016.
I think, prior to Christmas shopping this year, the last time I stepped foot in an electronics store might have been five years ago or so...I don't really keep up with consumer electronics, so all this shit us turned into alien technology as far as I'm concerned.
Any recommendations or tips?
If like to be able to do some basic computing tasks, surf the web, and play Wolfenstein.
FlyingHunter
01-03-16, 13:00
Would you consider a Mac vs PC? While I run a PC at work, the ecosystem of iPhone to Mac, the platform stability, the retina display graphics, the absence of viruses, and general quality construction have won me over...and that was about 2 years ago. If you go with PC, my teenager says these are the hot ticket:
http://www.alienware.com
JackFanToM
01-03-16, 13:19
I would be happy to custom build one for you...as I do that for a hobby. It seems that what you would require would be a socket 1151 Intel i5 or i7 (depending how much multi -core and threading you need), 16gigs of ddr4 (3000 speed would be my recommendation), vid card you can do what I do and get the best card that allows you to game at the resolution you would like, and offers some future proofing (I have a 970 Strix...eats all current title up at 1080 or 1440p). I also recommend using either a mATX or ITX board, as the larger boards do not offer as much of a performance upgrade as in the past. This will allow you to go with a smaller footprint and still have blazing performance. I also recommend either solid state SATA or mSATA primary boot drive, and multi terabyte deep storage standard drives. In the event sound from the PC is an issue, you can now go with slower higher static pressure fans on AIO coolers to keep things both quiet and cool. Based on what you said thus far...I did a build list for you - http://pcpartpicker.com/p/pvKT23
JackFanToM
01-03-16, 13:20
Would you consider a Mac vs PC? While I run a PC at work, the ecosystem of iPhone to Mac, the platform stability, the retina display graphics, the absence of viruses, and general quality construction have won me over...and that was about 2 years ago. If you go with PC, my teenager says these are the hot ticket:
http://www.alienware.com
I would avoid Alienware, as you pay a premium for the name (they are to Dell what Lexus is to Toyota), and they use a ton of proprietary items making it difficult to impossible to upgrade.
I would not avoid Alienware. I own one and it screams. You get what you pay for, just like rifles.
I'm extremely happy with my Alienware and it has been trouble free for three years.
Just like in rifles it depends on your needs.
I do a lot of heavy duty photo processing and need the horsepower. If all you do on your computer is email and forums, buy an iPad.
Just be warned, if you decide the iPad is all you need, you risk being labeled, by some here and may feel a sudden urge to vote for the Bern.
Agree on Alienware... they have long been a "name".. good stuff, but no need to go there.
Here is another recipe that can be tweaked to your needs. http://blog.ultimateoutsider.com/2015/06/building-new-computer-for-music.html
I like Noctua fans, Corsair gold+ power supplies... get more power than you need, Nvidia video, I normally buy Mushkin memory but other brands are just as good. Gigabyte and ASUS boards have been good to me.
It really all depends on needs but there are lots of systems out there for DAW(digital Audio workstation) and NLE (Non-Linear editors) and they generally put a lot of research into getting something that runs glitch free 24/7 and has no un-needed bells and whistles. IOW.. designed for all reliable horse power. Then you just decide how much horse power you need and that basically sets your price... which typically runs $1200 to $2500 for most people's needs and will blow away most off the shelf stuff.
ETA: BTW, I've been building PCs since 1984 and still do quite a bit of research before I put a new one together to avoid over buying... or under buying for that matter.
Outlander Systems
01-03-16, 13:55
Thanks for the tips.
Wifey and I debated getting an iMac, but would prefer a PC, for me to have compatibility with work-related stuff.
I'll take a look at the Alienware offerings. They've always had a good reputation for being performance-oriented configurations.
JackFanToM
01-03-16, 14:30
Alienware is good performance, but WAY overpriced. My old man is a retired 1 star, and still games. He bought an Alienware top of the line desktop for $4.5k and I built a PC for $1.6k...mine beat his in every single benchmark, outlived his, and was upgradable. Yes you get what you paid for... A name. Unlike ARs, PCs can still be built cheaper than bought
I was a PC man since computers first became mainstream household items, I went through all the DOS versions the all the Windows versions till I got to Windows XP and decided enough was enough.
I bought my first Macbook Pro a few years ago and I have never been happier with a computer in my entire life.
I do a lot of video editing and photo enhancing that would have given my PC fits and eventually would have crashed in the middle of a project.
Yes the Macbook costs more than a PC but you won't be replacing it anytime soon, my only regret is that I didn't make the switch sooner.
JackFanToM
01-03-16, 14:57
http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-area51-r2/pd?oc=dpcwc02p&model_id=alienware-area51-r2
so let's compare that overpriced hunk of Dell ****, to high end DIY PC. I will do an apples to apple comparison, but the DIY will have an Aluminum high end case, and name brand parts...not Dell proprietary parts (btw if the power supply dies, send it to dell cause you won't be able to buy your own and pop it in).
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Xqr8f7
Went cheap on storage, as will Dell, but oddly I still saved around $700 over the alienware...windows 10 is free, so ummm where is the benefit on alienware. $700 for someone to assemble it, junk mobo and power supply, stuck with only the parts and brands they offer, and here's the part that gets me, once the parts are obsolete, so is your case. No thanks, my current i5 build will smoke that Alienware and it cost less than $1200 to build (and I have noctua fans, custom cables, AIO CPU cooler, RAID 240gig SSDs, etc.). No real PC person would EVER recommend a pre-made desktop, no value in them. They are easy to build, and custom builders are abundant.
LowSpeed_HighDrag
01-03-16, 15:10
Ive owned 4 Macbook Pro's/Air's in the last 5 or so years. I only buy them because I like them so much, not because they need replacing. Handles all my work apps, and never stops running. Just an FYI.
Another Mac vote. On my second MacBook. First was an Air, and the thing still works just fine, it got passed to the wife. Seven years old and it still hums right along. My "new one" is a year and a half old Pro. I've never been happier with a computer in my life.
And I too was a system builder in my PC days. I now dedicate that energy to building more rifles. ;-)
Outlander Systems
01-03-16, 16:17
My degree is in CIS. :cool:
Needless to say, I abandoned that career-path a LONG time ago.
I like the idea of a Mac, mostly for integration with the phones, etc.
But I'd like to be able to run AutoCAD at the house, and, unless something has changed, back in the day, there was ZERO gaming support for Mac.
http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-area51-r2/pd?oc=dpcwc02p&model_id=alienware-area51-r2
so let's compare that overpriced hunk of Dell ****, to high end DIY PC. I will do an apples to apple comparison, but the DIY will have an Aluminum high end case, and name brand parts...not Dell proprietary parts (btw if the power supply dies, send it to dell cause you won't be able to buy your own and pop it in).
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Xqr8f7
Went cheap on storage, as will Dell, but oddly I still saved around $700 over the alienware...windows 10 is free, so ummm where is the benefit on alienware. $700 for someone to assemble it, junk mobo and power supply, stuck with only the parts and brands they offer, and here's the part that gets me, once the parts are obsolete, so is your case. No thanks, my current i5 build will smoke that Alienware and it cost less than $1200 to build (and I have noctua fans, custom cables, AIO CPU cooler, RAID 240gig SSDs, etc.). No real PC person would EVER recommend a pre-made desktop, no value in them. They are easy to build, and custom builders are abundant.
Time, that is the benefit. I don't have time to build PC's any more.
No "real PC person?" What is that exactly? I'll not argue the point further, because I don't care as much as you appear to care.
Plus, I'm obviously not a "real PC person." (I built my first PC in 85, so yeah, not a real PC person.)
JackFanToM
01-03-16, 16:47
That is the drawback to Macs...they are sexy, easy to setup, and pretty much free of internal driver issues, but having said that...the edge Macs once had in performance is gone.
My comment regarding a "real PC person" is someone that spends time on PC forums, researches the latest and greatest, watches reviews of new tech before it is even released, etc. I spend as much time on PC research as I do on my firearms. I stand behind what I said, if you would rather spend $700 for someone else to spend 40 minutes putting together your PC using proprietary nonsense, that is usually not made by a quality vendor, then you are not a "real PC person". That may upset you, but go to any PC forum, and make the same claim about Alienware, and that your time savings is worth $700...sorry but you will receive some pretty bad treatment from them. Alienware on a PC forum is what DPMS and OLY is on this forum.
JackFanToM
01-03-16, 17:25
The PC (in several stages of development) in these photos would be comparable to the machine I built on parts picker minus some of the bling and noctua fans.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/w1in5r6q9pftidc/AACRUXLaM6xwLGhBoS_VSr8Ea?dl=0
Yes, I agree, I don't think Mac has any edge now days. I run all manner of audio, video, graphics, proprietary form filling that has it's own editing side built in as well, loads of after market plugins to these various other apps. Still using cases I bought I don't know how many years ago... I can't even remember... might have been Win95 / Server 2000 days.
Macs pick and choose parts just the same as a good builder would for the PC platform. Still, they all need a swift kick every once in a while, I don't care what name is on them.
@Outlander Systems if you are a CIS guy and hate Linux, you must know Mac is Unix/Linux-ish right? To me the feel of Mac is very much Linux-ish. I'm not as natural on Mac because I've always been PC but I run some Mac and Linux too. I can -feel my through- windows problems much easier than Linux or Mac.
Outlander Systems
01-04-16, 06:51
Just to add to my frustration...pulling the specs for my work computer:
48 GB of Ram and an Nvidia Quadro K5200. Spoiled. Rotten.
I was wanting to keep my personal machine at, or around, a grand.
Where's the thumbs-down smiley?
JackFanToM
01-04-16, 09:26
Made an adjustment. Added a quadro and upped it to 32 gigs
JackFanToM
01-04-16, 09:27
Guess I should attach link
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/YxMtMp
Outlander Systems
01-04-16, 09:29
Roger that.
Thanks for this. Awesome tool.
Guess I should attach link
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/YxMtMp
Just to add to my frustration...pulling the specs for my work computer:
48 GB of Ram and an Nvidia Quadro K5200. Spoiled. Rotten.
I was wanting to keep my personal machine at, or around, a grand.
Where's the thumbs-down smiley?
Wow. My work computer is an Intel Core 2 Duo with 4GB of RAM circa 2006.
The most recent link posted looks good.
Think I paid more for my 60 gig SSD than the 250 gig 5 years ago.
I should probably upgrade.
i5 or i7 processor
8-16gb of ram
1 terabyte hard drive 7200 rpm or higher
Windows 10 pro
This time of year you will get your best bang for your buck are from places like the Dell outlet as a lot of the PCs are returned and can not be sold as new. Save yourself a few hundred dollars.
Outlander Systems
01-04-16, 09:39
It is full-blown Beast Mode.
Our IT Consultants were bragging about it. I started doing a lot more 3D modeling, so our production manager ordered me the K5200.
I'd love to do a frame rate test on a game, but I like getting a paycheck.
Here she be:
http://outlandersystems.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/dell.jpg
Wow. My work computer is an Intel Core 2 Duo with 4GB of RAM circa 2006.
The most recent link posted looks good.
Think I paid more for my 60 gig SSD than the 250 gig 5 years ago.
I should probably upgrade.
SSDs have been dropping in price while making major advances in speed, reliability, and total storage. They've done this every year actually.
I mean Samsung has the 2TB 850 Evo for $700. I still remember when the Intel X-25M SSD was the new hotness at 160GB for $450. From $2.80/GB to $0.35/GB in about 6 years, while also doubling read speed and quadrupling the write speed. And the Samsung 950 Pro, while it only works natively (without an adapter) on the newest motherboards right now, is 5x faster in reads and 3x faster in writes than the 850 Evo!
A modern SSD is probably the best non-gaming-focused upgrade you can make for a computer.
Here she be:
Nice! I'd take a picture of mine, but I can't bring a camera nor a phone to where I work. Just imagine a Dell Optiplex 700 series that's super dusty and missing some panels.
Outlander Systems
01-04-16, 13:28
Understandable.
I like dusty old beaters. They have character.
Nice! I'd take a picture of mine, but I can't bring a camera nor a phone to where I work. Just imagine a Dell Optiplex 700 series that's super dusty and missing some panels.
I built my own PC back in 2011 - with options I could not have purchased in a 'retail' machine.
However, last week my machine went DEAD (no power, no nothing). Figured it was power supply - went out and bought a replacement - still dead. Which leaves motherboard (Gigabyte - except they don't make this model anymore). Found a factory refurbished one in China on Ebay (crossing fingers); it came in today so we'll see how it goes tomorrow. A direct replacement means I don't have to reload anything.
So I'd say building your own means you can get more for less; but downside may mean lack of replacement parts down the road.
Wouldn't mind a MAC, but have way too much invested in software to go that route...and Windows, for the most part, runs the business world, not Macs...
JackFanToM
01-04-16, 19:55
skydivr, I hate to be "that guy", but did you bypass the mobo pwr jumpers to make sure it wasn't simply the power switch?
skydivr, I hate to be "that guy", but did you bypass the mobo pwr jumpers to make sure it wasn't simply the power switch?
Yes, but thank you for bringing it up anyway.
SilverBullet432
01-04-16, 20:46
Nothing wrong with linux. Running windows on Mac works but you need emulators for certain software. Windows is fine, run plenty of ram, good hard drive and cards. And don't watch porn and you'll be fine...
JackFanToM
01-04-16, 21:25
In that case,"fingers crossed" the new mobo is the answer.
Guess I should attach link
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/YxMtMp
Why the Quadro? Unless you are doing CAD work it isn't really needed. Heck most people will need double precision at most which means they couple pick up any GTX Titan prior to the current X model and be fine.
Give me a minute and I will see what I can build.
Personally I would 3rd or 4th the get a Mac comment. Although I do love my custom rig. :D
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Cqy_0oVVmi4/Vm7RlNO211I/AAAAAAAAebA/jMdvLxvkIvE/s1024-Ic42/2015_12_14_09_22_07.jpg
Outlander do you live near a Microcenter?
Check this one out.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/MRPrZL
A bit over 1100 including windows. It also give you options if you ever wanted to upgrade int he future.
There are a few places to shave money but it is pretty good as is.
One thing to advise you on.
Never skimp on the Power supply. This is the most often overlook part of a computer and I have seen bad PSUs kill more computers than all other things put together. And it isn't just the Wattage. In fact it wattage is really not as important as efficiency and reliability. You want a good single rail Power supply with at least 80+ silver rating.
In the end shopping for a computer is like shopping for an AR. You have to know where you can and can not cut the corners. And if your core parts aren't good then no amount of polish will fix it.
SeriousStudent
01-04-16, 22:03
Why the Quadro? Unless you are doing CAD work it isn't really needed. Heck most people will need double precision at most which means they couple pick up any GTX Titan prior to the current X model and be fine.
Give me a minute and I will see what I can build.
Personally I would 3rd or 4th the get a Mac comment. Although I do love my custom rig. :D
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Cqy_0oVVmi4/Vm7RlNO211I/AAAAAAAAebA/jMdvLxvkIvE/s1024-Ic42/2015_12_14_09_22_07.jpg
Damn, that's pretty. How quiet is it?
With the fans on low there is No sound. In fact I can hear my external hard drives over the computer.
SeriousStudent
01-04-16, 22:12
Sweet. I need to build a new file server for the house this spring, I'll look into that.
I don't think I would do hardline water tubing for a file server. Lol
SeriousStudent
01-04-16, 22:24
Where's your sense of adventure, man? :cool:
And with the price of SSD's dropping like a rock, I might just build a RAID 5 array with them, then no real need for the liquids. Just a radiator on the CPU would likely do the trick.
Where's your sense of adventure, man? :cool:
And with the price of SSD's dropping like a rock, I might just build a RAID 5 array with them, then no real need for the liquids. Just a radiator on the CPU would likely do the trick.
Hah. Fair point.
This machine has over 3TB of SSD based storage.
If you haven't already you should check out Linus Tech tips
SeriousStudent
01-04-16, 22:33
We have an EMC SAN rack at work filled completely with SSD's. It's one of four like it in the US.
It's a little eerie to see that thing run with so little sound. I call it "Sauron - the All Seeing Eye".
.46caliber
01-05-16, 07:04
We have an EMC SAN rack at work filled completely with SSD's. It's one of four like it in the US.
It's a little eerie to see that thing run with so little sound. I call it "Sauron - the All Seeing Eye".
That is something I'd love to see. I briefly looked into SAN for our new VDI at work. You can tie up a lot of money for storage.
Hah. Fair point.
This machine has over 3TB of SSD based storage.
If you haven't already you should check out Linus Tech tips
Linus Tech Tips is amazing. Also, is that a new Corsair case? I don't recognize it.
I'll post a picture of my personal computer when I get home in like 10 hrs. Mini-itx ftw.
Yes. It is the new 600C inverted case. Hella nice with with a very clean look to it and a surprising amount of features.
http://www.corsair.com/en/landing/600c
While I really like it, I have found it isn't quite suited to what I am doing with it. So I will probably be switching back to a larger case here soon. May end up getting a Caselabs SMA8. Or maybe just go back to my Corsair 750D and do some custom work on it. Really hard to decide honestly.
This case will probably end up having a server in it.
Yes. It is the new 600C inverted case. Hella nice with with a very clean look to it and a surprising amount of features.
http://www.corsair.com/en/landing/600c
While I really like it, I have found it isn't quite suited to what I am doing with it. So I will probably be switching back to a larger case here soon. May end up getting a Caselabs SMA8. Or maybe just go back to my Corsair 750D and do some custom work on it. Really hard to decide honestly.
This case will probably end up having a server in it.
I liked that 400C they announced today.
@kwelz, what is that cooler system you have? I don't think I have seen that before..... also the OP said he wanted to run AutoCAD at home.
Oh, you guys are killing me.....computer porn :)
Slightly related, seeing no reason to start a new thread, What are you're recommendations for Laptops?
My current one is a 2010-2011 HP G42 and is on its last leg, I need something that can run SolidWorks and other engineering programs, preferably not crazy expensive as I am still in school.
I would forego Acer. Have had two and they are nice but don't seem to last well.... although I am kinda rough on things.
My current Asus was about a $550 NewEgg price model a year or so ago. So about a $600 laptop. Got it from NewEgg as a A grade refurb. The only thing I have ever been able to tell was wrong, was the case had streaks in the aluminum like it didn't get polished properly and a label on the bottom had an edge unstuck. Other than that it seems to do everything... and I have actually allowed it to go Win10. Also dual booted Linux and Win8.1 .. that was a bit of an ordeal to get the BIOS setup but once I had it it worked fine. I have since redone all those partitions to just Win10. Never a hickup... I paid right around $350 for it.
I would highly recommend watching them for a refurb and save the cash for software or something else.
Outlander Systems
01-05-16, 14:54
(What Should Be) The Official Computer Case of M4Carbine.net:
http://www.corsair.com/en-us/vengeance-c70-mid-tower-gaming-case-military-green
http://i.imgur.com/YU0J2.jpg
You're welcome.
Welllll....I tried...
Ebay China refurbished Motherboard as dead as mine (looked like it had been rode hard and thrown in several bins before packed up and sent to me)...
I was very careful with static. New power supply (tested prior to install); also tested power switch (just in case).
No lights, no power, no NOTHING.
Sooo......Let's have a contest who can build me a decent machine...
Welllll....I tried...
Ebay China refurbished Motherboard as dead as mine (looked like it had been rode hard and thrown in several bins before packed up and sent to me)...
I was very careful with static. New power supply (tested prior to install); also tested power switch (just in case).
No lights, no power, no NOTHING.
Sooo......Let's have a contest who can build me a decent machine...
So what do you need in a computer?
So what do you need in a computer?
I build two identical machines (one for work and one for home) at the same time Here's what I had:
1 x Noctua NF-B9-1600 92mm Case cooler
1 x COOLER MASTER V8 RR-UV8-XBU1-GP 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler Compatible with Intel 1366/1155/775 and AMD AM3/AM2+/AM2
1 x Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced - High Air Flow Full Tower Computer Case with USB 3.0 and All-Black Interior
1 x GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
1 x Cooler Master Silent Pro M - 850W Power Supply with 80 PLUS Bronze Certification and Semi-Modular Cables
1 x GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) DirectX 11 GV-N460OC-1GI 1GB 256-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support (Driving 2 monitors)
1 x LG Black Super Multi SATA WH12LS30 LightScribe Support DVD-RW- OEM
1 x Noctua NH-D14 120mm & 140mm SSO CPU Cooler
1 x Intel Core i7-960 Bloomfield Quad-Core 3.2 GHz LGA 1366 130W BX80601960 Desktop Processor
2 x Western Digital Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive Bare Drive (OS in RAID 1 Configuration)
1 x SUPERMICRO CSE-M35T-1B 3 x 5.25" to 5 x 3.5" Hot-swap SATA HDD Trays
5 x WD Caviar Black WDBAAZ0020HNC-NRSN 2TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.5" Internal Hard Drive (4 Drives in RAID 5 Configuration); 1 spare drive as a removable backup drive
1 x CORSAIR DOMINATOR 12GB (3 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMP12GX3M3A1600C9
1 x Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit - OEM
1 x AeroCool Touch 2000 Controller, Panel (Could read temps and control airspeed of individual fans)
1 x Noctua NF-B9-1600 92mm Case cooler
I can still get my machine from home, swap out all the hard drives, and at least get all my data; pain in the ass. But reinstalling all the software is going to be a nightmare.
I kept my OS separately from my User/Data drive(s). I had so much drive space because I sometimes edit digital video and could store all the raw GoPro video I wanted to work with it later.
What I WANT:
SSD's for OS MINIMUM (RAID1)
SSD For Data too if I can afford it RAID 5 Protection (I don't really need as much as I had in this machine, I think I had about 3.6 TB of data total)
Better Chip, 12G Ram was Good
Better Video Card of course
Liquid Cooling would keep cooler without all the fans (?), and neater...
Wouldn't need as big a case if I used SSD's...
Still want a removeable backup drive
So...go for it...
Oh, and pics...
3688436883
Of course, I spent all that effort in order to protect my data, and that's not what goes bad...
While I DO have a backup within 30 days of my OS, Data and Image, getting that moved to a new machine is gonna be a pain...not to mention reinstalling and reconfiguring all my software...and windows updates from 2011...uggh.
I can still get my machine from home, swap out all the hard drives, and at least get all my data; pain in the ass.
Don't swap out the drives. Get one of those dual bay hot swap drive holders. They are only about $50.. .I think they have them at BestBuy. They plug in USB port. Back up your data that way. Those things are really handy. Just shove the raw drive in and go.
But re-installs, yeah, that's a pain.
Oh, and pics...
3688436883
Haf 932. The tank of Cases, I had one and loved it.
As other have stated. Get an external Hot Swap bay They are good to have around for emergencies.
Data backup and redundancy has become one of my "things" Western Digital makes a great device called the MyCloud Duo. It is a dual Hard drive personal backup solution. By default it comes in Raid 1 for redundancy.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0064XAIZY/ref=twister_B0071NCO6M?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I am actually replacing my home backup server with one. Honestly the idea is that if there is an emergency I can just grab it an go. I also plan on keeping it somewhere inconspicuous so that even if all my other equipment is gone I will have my data.
Reinstalls can be a real pain for sure. But the nice thing is that we have things like Ninite now for the basic stuff.
.46caliber
01-05-16, 21:46
Slightly related, seeing no reason to start a new thread, What are you're recommendations for Laptops?
My current one is a 2010-2011 HP G42 and is on its last leg, I need something that can run SolidWorks and other engineering programs, preferably not crazy expensive as I am still in school.
One of our devs picked up a Dell XPS13 last year to the tune of $1300. Very nice. Aluminum chassis i7, and I believe 16gb RAM. There is almost no bezel around the display so it is about the same size as my 11inch Chromebook, but with a 13" display. Very nice machine with plenty of muscle in a small size.
Whiskey_Bravo
01-05-16, 22:00
(What Should Be) The Official Computer Case of M4Carbine.net:
http://www.corsair.com/en-us/vengeance-c70-mid-tower-gaming-case-military-green
http://i.imgur.com/YU0J2.jpg
You're welcome.
Pretty cool case, I am going to have to check it out.
Ahh, sweet. Just saw that this case can take a 240mm radiator on top and in the front(if you remove lower hd bay).
I will be building another one probably this summer so I have fired up my gaming rig research mind lately like I do every couple of years when I build a new one.
One of our devs picked up a Dell XPS13 last year to the tune of $1300. Very nice. Aluminum chassis i7, and I believe 16gb RAM. There is almost no bezel around the display so it is about the same size as my 11inch Chromebook, but with a 13" display. Very nice machine with plenty of muscle in a small size.
The xps13 is probably the nicest 13" laptop currently in production.
Haf 932. The tank of Cases, I had one and loved it.
As other have stated. Get an external Hot Swap bay They are good to have around for emergencies.
Data backup and redundancy has become one of my "things" Western Digital makes a great device called the MyCloud Duo. It is a dual Hard drive personal backup solution. By default it comes in Raid 1 for redundancy.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0064XAIZY/ref=twister_B0071NCO6M?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I am actually replacing my home backup server with one. Honestly the idea is that if there is an emergency I can just grab it an go. I also plan on keeping it somewhere inconspicuous so that even if all my other equipment is gone I will have my data.
Reinstalls can be a real pain for sure. But the nice thing is that we have things like Ninite now for the basic stuff.
Data isn't the problem (well, it is at the moment); I know it's still there. And I have a fairly recent backup.
The problem is reinstalling all the software I have onto a new machine. Will take weeks.
Gonna see if I can find a SIMILIAR NEW MB with the same chipset and see if I can get it to work that way.
PLAN C is to take the identical machine I have at home that is still working, swap out all the hard drives and build a new machine at home. Another pain in the ass, but doesn't put me down here at work...
Outlander Systems
01-06-16, 10:04
We just picked up a Seagate Cloud, and, thus far, it has been fantastic for all our devices.
Wifey's been using a netbook, and I picked up the cloud for convenience, and it has been stellar.
Haf 932. The tank of Cases, I had one and loved it.
As other have stated. Get an external Hot Swap bay They are good to have around for emergencies.
Data backup and redundancy has become one of my "things" Western Digital makes a great device called the MyCloud Duo. It is a dual Hard drive personal backup solution. By default it comes in Raid 1 for redundancy.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0064XAIZY/ref=twister_B0071NCO6M?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I am actually replacing my home backup server with one. Honestly the idea is that if there is an emergency I can just grab it an go. I also plan on keeping it somewhere inconspicuous so that even if all my other equipment is gone I will have my data.
Reinstalls can be a real pain for sure. But the nice thing is that we have things like Ninite now for the basic stuff.
Sooo....Here's what I decided to do.
There are NO motherboards out there that will use my chip. So what the hell, I might as well go ahead and use what I can, and rebuild/upgrade since I'm stuck with reinstall..
Gonna get a new Motherboard, Chip, RAM, Powersupply (just in case), and a SSD for my OS drive. Going to use existing case, Video Card, Hard drives, cooling fans, etc...(yes I checked they are compatable)...but where is that website shown above the checks that?
IN THE INTERIM, going to scavenge my working machine at home, swap drives and get a backup/easy transfer file (which is gonna tick my wife/daughter off).
Bad news:
- time to rebuild
- Grief from family while I take my home machine out of circulation
- reinstalling all the OS and software (uggh)
Good news:
- I will have a refreshed machine that should be plenty quick and last me 5 more years
- The company will pay for the parts :)
PS I ran the system on that PC Partspicker site (Pretty cool). All was compatible with existing parts. Could only save about $30 as compared to Newegg and frt would be more...oh well another adventure!
www.logicalincrements.com
Great resource for those who aren't up to date on there hardware. Pick a price point and roll with it or make your own changes if you know what you like/want.
Building PC's is so damned easy and so far superior to any pre-assembled overpriced crap you'd be nuts not to do it. This one will be 2 years old in July, will probably be upgrading soon, not because it needs it but because more is better lol
36919
Case: NZXT H440
Processor: Intel i5 4690k
Cooler: Coolermaster Hyper 212 evo
Power: Cooler Master v650
MOBO: ASRock Z97 Extreme4
Memory: 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1866Mhz C9 Corsair Vengance Pro Series
SSD: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB
HD: 1TB Seagate
GFX: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 4GB
Keyboard: Corsair Gaming K70 RGB
Mouse: Corsair Gaming M65 RGB
Joystick: Logitech Extreme 3D Pro
OS: Windows 10
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