Computer Help!

[Jester69]

Ok guys I think it is time to buy a new computer, I am looking at building it myself with the help of a friend but some of these sites online have some really good deals it looks.

What I really need is a place where I can compare graphics cards and processors and stuff. Or if anyone knows good sites to buy parts or premade computers that would really help.

[SleepyCop]

Laptop or PC? Dell has some pretty good deals.

[SleepyCop]

Oh this should probably be posted in the off duty section.

[momedic]

I know you said you wanted to build it yourself, but it may be a better decision to look into an Apple.

Having sold PC's at a large national retailer for a few years, I've seen the short comings of PC's on a daily basis. I've had many PC's ( HP, Gateway, Dell) but the two Macs I've owned have proven to be far superior.

[StainlessSteve]

Maybe not the best section..

ANYWAYS, Newegg.com has everything you'd ever want in the way of computers and electronics. I've gotten stuff from there multiple times and all the "techie" guys I know go there. You can compare, as well as get parts, pre-made computer, etc.

Best site ever. Don't let anyone else tell you otherwise.

+1... I have done business with Newegg.com for years and they have never messed up on an order or delayed one. All their stuff is as advertised and they have never offered or had to offer a substitute.
MoBo stay with Gigabyte or Asus, nVidia for the GPU and don't make the mistake I did with ATI, you won't be happy

[Hazardsys]

You may want to try some computer shows as well. I've found good deals on parts at some of those just need to know what you're looking for. I've built my last four systems with no problems. I would advise you get a processor motherboard package for your first system. Matching the motherboard builds with the correct processor type can be difficult.

[Jester69]

This was intended to go into the off duty section, I even was like WTF I cant find my thread when I just looked there. I am on IBUYPOWER.com right now looking at stuff because your right id rather buy a prebuilt computer then do a project that I would likely put off forever or screw up.

if anyone wanted to take the time to make a sample computer and post the specs on here of their suggestion that would be awesome, I wanna play games on this and not have to worry about anything.

[Resq14]

"not have to worry about anything"

There is only one option that, while not perfect, comes close to reaching that goal.

I own several Macs. I just purchased a 13" Macbook Pro. It is the BEST overall laptop I have ever used.

I used to build my own too. I thought I was saving money. But over the years I've come to realize that my time is money, and I grew tired of dealing with XP/Vista BS.

Ultimately it's your call... but from a former die-hard Microsoft fanboy, I can safely say that it's better on the other side.

[Hazardsys]

I need the budget you have in mind for building the system. Would need to know that before I could give build examples. Also what games did you have in mind? Cutting edge fps or mmorpgs etc?

[sencless]

Look into Dell's. It's almost not even worth building PC's anymore because computers these days are so cheap. Unless you want to build something for a specific task don't waste your time.

[Raiden]

If you want prepackaged deals, go with Dell. If you want a mom and pop computer and have the big bucks, go with an Apple.

Now if you want to build yourself a good machine. . . and you want full control of what goes in it part by part, you've asked the right question.

Here are some recommendations:

Gigabyte MA785GM-US2H AMD Athlon II X2 Barebone Kit - Gigabyte MA785GM-US2H MOBO, Athlon II X2 240, 2GB DDR2, 500GB HDD, XFX Radeon HD 4650, Case & PSU for 319USD

or

Gigabyte MA785GM-US2H Barebone Kit - AMD Athlon II X2 240 2.80GHz, ATI Hybrid Graphics, 2GB DDR2, 1TB HDD, Case & 450W PSU for 289USD

For an operating system, use Ubuntu Linux or OpenSUSE. Congradulations, you just spent under 500USD for a kick @$$ system without Microsoft Windows and junkware.

[Resq14]

If you want a mom and pop computer and have the big bucks, go with an Apple.

haha

You need to jump to 2009... that's just not the case.

[StylesBeyond]

Ok guys I think it is time to buy a new computer, I am looking at building it myself with the help of a friend but some of these sites online have some really good deals it looks.

What I really need is a place where I can compare graphics cards and processors and stuff. Or if anyone knows good sites to buy parts or premade computers that would really help.

Hi Jester,

I make custom computers and could hook you up for a fair price, mostly cost. I primarily specialize in noise reduction and gaming. All my PC's pass benchmark and stress tests with flying colors, much, much better than Alienware... or any Dell for that matter.

But if you're thinking about going into it alone, I recommend checking out this website, they sell a lot of good fans that are all in the 25dB range, basically completely quiet. They're not that expensive either.

http://www.endpcnoise.com

[Raiden]

haha

You need to jump to 2009... that's just not the case.

Huh?! Are you kidding me? I use a OS X and Linux machine at work, guess which one I use more, Apple is not the answer.

You get a lot more bang for your buck with Linux, especially since it is FREE, stable and secure.

Apple may give you the keys to the house, but Linux on the other hand gives you not only the keys to the house, the car, the yacht, but also the blueprints to everything as well. Linux can go on almost any form of hardware. What Apple does is what we in the IT world call, Vendor Lockin. Look it up, and I can guarantee you'll be up in arms.

Unfortunately, with Apple, not only are you dishing out the cash, but you're stuck with only their hardware. The average mom/dad, LEO or you are not expected to have the technical expertise of a systems administrator and computer programmer with 15 years of industry experience. With that being said, there is no shame in not having the facts, only in being ignorant of such facts, which will in the end cost you your hard earned money, and eventually over time you will wonder why you chose a system that in end will cost you more over time.

It is the same thing with LEO PDs, they continue to use systems that knowingly cost them, and the tax payer money. As to why Apple and Microsoft Windows continues to be used in PDs, homes is a topic appropriate for an investigative report in the field of psychology or marketing, not an article on information technology.

The price of ignorance. . . .gotta love it!

Don't believe me? Want to know more about the apps available for Linux and for free? Go here: http://www.linux.org/apps/

One more thing, you can run Linux off of a CD or a USB flash drive, try doing that with OS X. You're right, it is 2009, you really need to jump to Linux!

[Resq14]

Ignorance? lol. You can't BS a BS artist.

One of my Macs is a refurbished Mac Pro 2x2.66 Xeon with 4 internal drives that I boot into numerous OSs natively (and, very impressively, the native drives virtually)... Linux flavors (currently running Ubuntu), Win7, OS X... I'm well versed in them all. I've upgraded my drives, added a second optical drive, quadrupled my memory, upgraded my video card, added ESATA, wireless card, and bluetooth. It's compatible with every printer and peripheral I've had and tried. I hardly feel "locked in" to anything. What options can't I easily customize??? The enclosure, motherboard, and power supply? Haha, you have me there.


I maintain the BEST option is a Mac with OS X for people that don't want to have to tinker with crap just to get simple things done. It is transparent, and I've come to appreciate the beauty in that concept. These days, about all I want to do is:
- Surf the web and check e-mail (Firefox or Safari, and Apple Mail)
- Use MS Word (still prefer it to the freebies)
- Give stunning presentations (Apple Keynote)
- Keep track of my life (iCal)
- Music (iTunes)
- Dabble with movies (iMovie)
- Dabble with my own music (Garageband)
- Organize photos, print them, do cool stuff (iPhoto)
- Sync with iPhone (iCal, iTunes, MobileMe, iPhoto, Mail)
- native PDF support
- Connect to remote systems (OS X) and share displays
- Log in to work (Citrix)

Most of the above is included with OS X and is quality software, not crappy freeware or shareware. They put other freebies with OS's to shame. I can do this stuff literally at least 200% better and more efficiently on a Mac. If a program crashes (rarely) the system does not. I can go for months without restarting. Sleep works and they awaken immediately. Do you know how easy it is for me to do something like swap out a HDD on a Mac? It's so easy it's SCARY! Target disk mode via FireWire is a godsend. HDD's can be swapped between Macs and they'll just work regardless of their original hardware configuration. Complicated network setups are a breeze with the AirPort Utility. It is only because of the software-hardware relationship that this stuff is pleasurable versus frustrating.

If you like to tinker for hours on end (like I used to), you'll be able to fill your time with the other OS's, confusing upgrades, drivers, anti-virus and spyware crap, etc. Of course, you can also CHOOSE to tinker in OS X if you desire, as occasionally I do for fun -- not out of necessity.

Linux variants are not mainstream ready, despite their advantages. I completely agree that there are pros -- no doubt about it -- and that progress is made with successive builds. I appreciate that Linux flavors can run on old 386s, ultramobiles, routers, and current bleeding-edge servers. But I would never suggest it is an OS for "average" users at this time. For nerds and technophiles? Sure, it CAN be an option. For a small PD with no dedicated IT? Absolutely not.

I don't like wasting my time trying to do simple things anymore -- BTDT, built my own systems, yada yada yada. My last build was an Athlon 64 four years ago with the "best of the best" hardware, and I still wasn't happy with Linux or XP. My time is money. I appreciate the tight relationship between hardware and software that Apple has, I appreciate the construction quality (not even comparable to any other manufacturer), and I appreciate the decent software and flexibility that they afford. I switched three years ago.

I don't care what any of you use for computers... I'm just saying, don't limit yourselves to preconceived ideas. Four years ago I would've been on here making fun of Mac-boys like me. Now I encourage everyone to try whatever is out there. If a Linux build on a homemade PC floats your boat, awesome. But to crap on Apple and throw out tired lines from a decade ago is just inaccurate.

And as for "bang for bucks" compare just exactly what you get and what you can do with a $1000 Macbook Pro... hardware AND software. Or the new 27" iMac for $1600, or 21" iMac for $1200. There is no comparison, regardless of the deals you can get on Newegg and what you can download for Linux. Again, been there done that.


Plus, I am selling my old 15" Macbook Pro on eBay. I paid a little over $2000 for it 3 years ago. Guess what it will sell for on eBay? Almost $1,000! Show me any other 3 year old laptop that will get you 50% back 3 years later -- or, for that matter, a three year old laptop that is even worth buying! It will pay for my 13" MBP, which in my opinion is the BEST laptop around these days. I'm very happy with this purchase.



I only recommend Macs to friends and family, as I no longer troubleshoot or upgrade PC's. There's a reason why Apple's selling computers like crazy these days, and it's not because of Apple Kool-Aid.

(PS: you can run OS X from USB or SD card... I just have never had any desire or need to do so)