OT: computers

[Hunkpapa]

I am looking to upgrade and purchase a new coputer and am wondering what computers you prefer…price vs realiablity

I currently have a Compaq and it freezes up every so often ans changes my desktop setting which is a real pain in the ***.

What brands do you think are good and what processors do you think are good? Any that you wopuld never buy again?

Thank you.

[Ruatha]

If I had a choice I'd never go for a brand computer, pick the components yourself and slot them in.
If I had to choose a brand I'd propably go with Dell that usually has good prestanda for the bucks, altough they are a bit noisy.
Stay clear of Compaq (If you can find any) and HP who usually have their own solutions to things, solutions that aren't always so good. Also they sometimes tend to be sparse with upgrade space, few free slots and custom crammed cabinets.

IBM used to make good PC's, but I don't know if they still do though.

As to processors you can't really go wrong. Choose anyone that is reasonably fast, it doesn't matter if it's AMD or Intel. Both are good. (Oh, don't let this become a Intel/AMD war, I'm so boooored with them).

Can't say much about Apples computers as I rarely use them.

Or why not buy a Sprint Plus?
Where to buy a Sprint Plus

[ April 01, 2003, 20:17: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

[Iron Giant]

my .02

Best solution (if you can handle it) =
Build it yourself

Second best solution =
I prefer to find a local "whitebox" company that builds PC's and gives a decent warranty. That way you have a local place to go if something goes wrong, they will customize it for you for gaming and most "whitebox" computers can easily be upgraded. In the Boston, MA USA area, I like www.pcsforeveryone.com. This is probably the best solution IF you have a decent idea of what you want and why, OR if you trust them (find out how long they have been in business. A legitimate business will have references available on request, but might not have a list of "gamer" references)

Third best solution =
See if someone here bought a Dell, Compaq, etc for gaming and is happy with it. Buy that one.

Fourth best solution (first best solution if you have wads of cash) =
www.alienware.com

[HercMighty]

I bought a Inspiron 8200 from Dell. That is there desktop replacement for gaming. I will not buy anything other than a notebook designed for this purpose. I have been happy with Dell and they offered the best price for this type of unit. I had a wireless network card put in it and signed up for DSL and I love it. I can be anywhere in the house, be hooked up to the internet and it performs like a desktop.

My 2 cents.

[Fyron]

As to processors you can't really go wrong. Choose anyone that is reasonably fast, it doesn't matter if it's AMD or Intel. Both are good. (Oh, don't let this become a Intel/AMD war, I'm so boooored with them).

You most certainly can go wrong with processors. If you custom-build a PC, you need to make sure to get enough airflow from fans to cool off the CPU you get. AMDs need a lot more, as they tend to have overheating problems.

and it performs like a desktop.

A low-end desktop, sure.

[ April 01, 2003, 20:24: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

[Ruatha]

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:

quote:

---

As to processors you can't really go wrong. Choose anyone that is reasonably fast, it doesn't matter if it's AMD or Intel. Both are good. (Oh, don't let this become a Intel/AMD war, I'm so boooored with them).

You most certainly can go wrong with processors. If you custom-build a PC, you need to make sure to get enough airflow from fans to cool off the CPU you get. AMDs need a lot more, as they tend to have overheating problems.

---

That is not the issue we are talking about, that is a cooling issue that you need to adapt to the individual processor.
An intel processor has different fan mounts than an AMD.
What we are talking about is prestanda. Ofcourse you have to adapt the cooling to the heat, that is obvious. There are millions of AMD processors running perfectly!

Fyron, I really think that sometimes.. (Won't start that thread again...)

[ April 01, 2003, 20:36: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

[rextorres]

You should custom build - it's not like the bad old days when you had to deal with IRQs etc. With windows everything is plug and play. You can get best of breed components for a lot less - especially if you go mail order. Also if anything goes wrong you will know how to fix it - sure they have maintenance contracts, but who wants to be down for a couple of days? - and these cost money!

If you're adventurous you can get an AMD cpu because they are easier to overclock so you can get more bang for your buck. Also AMD compatible motherBoards tend to be less expensive. If money is no object and you don't like to tweak once your up and running then a pentium is better.

A good place start to get information is

http://www.tomshardware.com

[ April 01, 2003, 20:56: Message edited by: rextorres ]

[Ruatha]

Originally posted by rextorres:


A good place start to get information is

http://www.tomshardware.com

Yep, Tom's is great.
You can also check Anandtech at http://www.anandtech.com/

p.s. Has anyone checked out the Sprint plus yet? it's NOT an april fools day joke! d.s.

[Wardad]

PC Club has good PCs and hardware.

They usually use the best stuff.

checkout their WEB site...

The real question is 3D or not to 3D.

If your not playing demanding 3D games then you can save a couple of hundred dollars and go with a lightweight processor (RONs - DuRON or CeleRON)and the (motherBoards) intergrated graphics, and regular speed RAM.

If you will be playing recent 3D games then you want a heavy weight processor (Athalon or Pentium) and a recent 3D graphics card, and the Dual Data Rate (DDR) RAM.

[Gryphin]

I have to Agree with Iorn Giant
I have been shopping at www.pcsforeveryone.com
for at least 5 years. Take a look at their Shuttle pc. www.shuttle.com
I just bought one for Pooh Star. It is about 6 x 7 x 12 inches. Not much room for expansion but for non graphics intensive work it is superb.

If not, then I feel DELL is a good buy.