New computer

boofredlay · 22 Dec 2007, 17:57

My wife has just signed up for more classes online and my daughter is getting a webkins for Christmas so my computer time at home will be diminishing unless I get a new machine. I believe I have made up my mind not to get a laptop because I can get more bang for my buck in a desktop. Plus I don't like the feel of a laptop, at least I have not so far.

I know there have been many talks here and on the old board about what machine to look for and what not but with the transfer and the holidays here now I simply don't have the time to search all the old posts. So do me a favor if you will and tell me what I should look for? The new computer will be mine as my wife and daughter don't necessarily need a speed demon or great graphics. But I want that.

I have a Dell Dimension 4100 now. Compared to my work machine it is a dinosaur. I got it about 7 years ago and have not shopped a computer since.
I am not all that savvy about the inner workings of a computer and frankly freak out when there is a problem. I would prefer to buy something, plug it in and be done with it. If I have to spend a few extra dollars for that piece of mind I will.

And as far as dollars go, I have no idea what they cost for what I want but I do have about $2,000 saved for something like this.
Now if I can get it cheaper I am one step closer to my big screen TV

What I want?
PC with XP.
I want a simple machine with great speed and graphics for SketchUp, SU Podium, Photoshop, Autocad and maybe Revit (which I use at work) also some cool games. And all the basics as well... email, Office...

So if you will, please give me some guidance.

Thanks.

dylan · 22 Dec 2007, 22:28

Well if you do not wish to build it yourself and want the easy option of just buying in then you could go Dell again.
Maybe something like this spec wise:
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DXCWQJ3&s=dhs
This is just a basis, you can tweak it as much as you wish, but I was looking mainly at the very good processor Core2 6600 and graphics 8800GT 512mb.
You could save by changing, or taking off the monitor, I added the 22" Ultrasharp which is very good. Also you would have to request an XP install instead of Vista.

tomsdesk · 23 Dec 2007, 05:00

This looks nice...yes?:

They took off an additional $200 just today...how low can you go?!?

Boo...I bet there would be some financial benefit to one of us naming the other if we both bought :`)

Edson · 23 Dec 2007, 10:10

@unknownuser said:

I would prefer to buy something, plug it in and be done with it. If I have to spend a few extra dollars for that piece of mind I will.

eric,

even if you do not know it, what you want is a mac! your description belies your secret desires. just to whet your appetite i am enclosing 2 mac options. look at the specs.if you want more you can change them before shipping. and the imac price is fantastic.

regards.

![macbook pro 15"](/uploads/imported_attachments/V2q2_macbookpro.png "macbook pro 15"")

![imac 20"](/uploads/imported_attachments/fYuC_imac20quot.png "imac 20"")

dylan · 23 Dec 2007, 11:58

Edson I agree the mac is a very good alternative and something I personally have been wanting to move across to for quite a while. The thing that always puts me off is that I use Autocad which is not available on Mac. I realise you can run in Bootcamp but I often have Autocad open while using things like PS and SU at the same time.

solo · 23 Dec 2007, 14:26

One day you love it, the other you hate it...Moore's law! when shelling out $2000.00 on a "new" rig that will pretty much be redundant in two years.

remus · 23 Dec 2007, 18:59

if you think like that solo, you'll never get anywhere though, as long as you dont fork out for an absolute top of the range machine you sould be ok.

All the machines so far look pretty good, so i'd just go for the one that provides your prefered balance between cost and performance.

good luck!

solo · 23 Dec 2007, 19:20

I am delighted by new technology, I even eagerly await the singularity...My point is the price one pays to stay ahead of the curve. Personally I build my own rigs, and even though over a period of time the costs pretty much even out, I firstly enjoy the challenge and I get to keep up in smaller bite sizes and more consistantly stay ahead of the curve by upgrading in bits and pieces. The other advantage is when you need to upgrade mobo's and chipsets you normally also get the new RAM standards required for optimal speeds, this leaves you with a bunch of odds and sods that can be used to assemble a less than 'cutting edge' rig for a family member that does not require a 'Mean machine'.

Edson · 24 Dec 2007, 00:10

@unknownuser said:

Edson I agree the mac is a very good alternative and something I personally have been wanting to move across to for quite a while. The thing that always puts me off is that I use Autocad which is not available on Mac. I realise you can run in Bootcamp but I often have Autocad open while using things like PS and SU at the same time.

dylan,

i agree with you about bootcamp but there are other apps (parallels, for one) that allow you to run both OS without having to reboot to move from mac to windows.

boofredlay · 24 Dec 2007, 03:16

Thank you all for the advice so far. Keep it comin'

gata · 24 Dec 2007, 04:07

Boofredlay,
Balance your RAM, CPU, Videocard for your needs.

The 'CAD expert' at work - who wants mainly AutoCAD, some games (if at home), and other little stuff - and myself - who want SU, Photoshop, maybe some future rendering, and other little stuff - settle on some similar specs.

Keep all the primary hardware manufactured by the same company so it plays together nicely into the future: motherboard, CPU by the same company, like Intel.

2.13 - 3 GHz Dual core Intel Processor
2 GB RAM
8600 GTS (or GT) 512 MB videocard, EVGA is a good brand (note the 8000 series nVidia cards are ready for DirectX 10, but DirectX 10 drivers for things like SU are not. Make sure you direct the videocard software to let the application control the graphics acceleration and/or install DirectX 9 for the time being to make SU happy).
XP Pro (Dell and Nobilis still sell rigs with XP)

The guy at work price out a nice Dell machine with those specs and a 20.1 Dell Ultrasharp LCD monitor for less than 1500 USD recently.

I got a refurbished 20.1 Dell Ultrasharp widescreen LCD monitor for 300 USD from the Dell outlet store. That's 100 dollars less than new, but with the same 3 year warranty. Buying a Dell computer creeps me out because I don't like proprietary hardware - I like to control my hardware destiny. But the Dell Ultrasharp monitors are reeallly nice and pretty too.

boofredlay · 29 Jan 2008, 16:27

So speaking of computer upgrades
My wife's schedule for classes is closer than she or I thought. She registers next week and is off and running...

There is a place in Huntsville where my father had a computer built for him.
Here is their pricing guides:
http://www.northalabamacomputers.com/download.ivnu

And here is the custom system price sheet:
http://bellsouthpwp.net/n/a/nacahsv/System.pdf

I will probably talk with them this week so any additional help would be great, thanks.

P.S. to quote myself from above..."PC with XP.
I want a simple machine with great speed and graphics for SketchUp, SU Podium, Photoshop, Autocad and maybe Revit (which I use at work) also some cool games. And all the basics as well... email, Office..."

boofredlay · 7 Feb 2008, 19:41

Ok, here are the specs on the computer I just ordered. It should be done Monday. I am having it locally built.

Cheers and thanks for all the help, especially you Pete.

tbd · 7 Feb 2008, 19:49

I am ordering a similar setup (but with 4gb RAM, 500GB Hdd, Geforce 8600GT).
what was the price on your setup ? also if it is ready Monday, can you post some tests/experience ?

boofredlay · 7 Feb 2008, 20:19

Just under $2300. A hair more than I originally wanted to spend but I have the cash.
I would be happy to do some tests, that is if I have the time. It is about to get hectic at work and I have my Form Fonts obligations as well.
But I will do what I can.

Mike Lucey · 8 Feb 2008, 00:15

Seriously, go for a Mac for two simple reasons! It is extremely
reliable and secondly, in 24 months time when you want to upgrade
the Dealer (if you pick the right one) will offer you a decent
trade-in price against a newer shiny Mac! It will be difficult
to get the price of a drink for a 24 month old Dell etc

Dylan, as regards running ACad on the Mac. There are other options
available, Parallels etc. I have not tried ACad on Parallels but
imagine it should work okay. Check this out, http://forum.parallels.com/showthread.php?t=2867

Mike

juju · 8 Feb 2008, 13:42

Good specs on that machine Boo, let us know how it performs. BTW, make sure the RAM is running in dual channel mode when the machine is up and running. If you got 3x 1GB modules then I don't think it will run in dual channel mode, maybe some other memory config gives yo 3GB and have it run in dual channel mode.

Having the RAM run in dual channel mode speeds things up a little. Use an app like CPU-Z to check this.

tbd · 14 Feb 2008, 13:56

so, how is the new computer ?

boofredlay · 14 Feb 2008, 14:05

I set it up the other night but have not had much time to work with it. Also, as soon as I hooked it up either my router or modem died. I am waiting for the cable company to come out today to fix my internet connection... I am at work now.

boofredlay · 17 Feb 2008, 04:15

Ok TBD you wanted an update... the computer is lightning fast, that is until you apply a transparency to a material or go to xray mode. I have tried turning off fast feedback and even turning off hardware acceleration with no success. It appears to be slower than my old machine when in xray mode, however I have not done a side by side yet (my wife is working too).

Any ideas?