Buying a new computer!

[Panarchy]

Hello!

I want to buy a new computer, because the one I have now is 6 years old.

Any ideas?

I want a really good computer, one that will last a long time... and in case you were wondering, I don't know what my budget is at the moment.

I am thinking of buying alienware... if that's still good.

Any other suggestions will be helpful!

Thanks in advance,

Panarchy

PS: I will be using this computer for programming (Visual Studio 2005 Professional), games, vista, and the whole office suite. So I want one that can run windows, not some dodgy mac that can run windows... :lol:

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

Have a look at the http://www.dell.com/ website. I have been using Dell OptiPlex desktop models for the last 10 years or so, and I think my next desktop will be another OptiPlex. Extremely durable, and I never ever had any hardware problems.

I use it mostly for software development and support.

[Panarchy]

Good graphics?

Or should I get a different graphics card...

What is top of the range at the moment?

[andsome]

Personally I would not even consider one of the big manufacturers. My current computer was put together by a small local builder. He only used the components that we agreed to between us beforehand. He did not install loads of crap unwanted so called free software. It has always been nice to know that I would NEVER be hostage on expensive telephone help lines, being passed from one technician to another, while the bill soared. On the odd occasion that a small problem occurred, it was corrected the same day with the minimum of fuss. He/she will know what components will be compatible with each other, one top of the range item may not be compatible with another top of the range product. I have always been completely satisfied with my computer, as have several friends who used the same shop. One other thing, I asked for and received a full installation disk, which some big suppliers refuse to supply. You do tend to mess about a lot with your computers, surely it would be nice to know that you can reinstall Windows at any time that you want.

[Panarchy]

Personally I would not even consider one of the big manufacturers. My current computer was put together by a small local builder. He only used the components that we agreed to between us beforehand. He did not install loads of crap unwanted so called free software. It has always been nice to know that I would NEVER be hostage on expensive telephone help lines, being passed from one technician to another, while the bill soared. On the odd occasion that a small problem occurred, it was corrected the same day with the minimum of fuss. He/she will know what components will be compatible with each other, one top of the range item may not be compatible with another top of the range product. I have always been completely satisfied with my computer, as have several friends who used the same shop. One other thing, I asked for and received a full installation disk, which some big suppliers refuse to supply. You do tend to mess about a lot with your computers, surely it would be nice to know that you can reinstall Windows at any time that you want.

Every computer I've ever bought (except my school one, which I rented [i finish school in 2 days!]) has included an installation disc... and whatever else was included. Including drive disc's.

I am thinking of building my own... is this hard?

[andsome]

Never done it, ask pops advice he has build dozens. :D

[-pops-]

It's not difficult to build a desktop computer but you do need patience and to know what you are doing insofar as to which bit goes where.

I've worked with electronic devices for very many years - even before transistors became commonplace so I did have some knowledge of the subject on a macro-scale. Now everything is micro-miniaturised the knowledge necessary for construction is much less and can be compared loosely, I suppose, with Lego.

The best thing to do to start with is to get hold of a non-working rubbish machine and de-construct it to familiarise yourself with the parts. Next stage would be to get an old, but worthless, working machine, take it apart and put it together again and see if it still works. There are plenty of old computers around which you could use for this.

There is lots of information around about computer building and you'll most likely find that once you've done the first one, it will be easy and you will want to do another - and another - and another.

A golden rule is NEVER, NEVER, NEVER save parts from an old machine to use in your new one.

I've built hundreds of machines and all give the same sense of satisfaction when you switch them on the first time and they whirr into action (or not, when you are presented with an interesting piece of detective work).

I don't build so many now as my eyesight and arthritis in my hands prevent me but, I have got one of my granddaughters interested (she's 14) so she's taken over.

[Panarchy]

^Wow... I feel so young... your grand-daughter.. you say?

!!!

Anyways...

I think I have a book around here somewhere on how to build my own...

Can you please tell me all the parts I will need to build my own...

And then you can you please tell me what the top of the range (make sure they can work with eachother) ones are.

Thanks in advance,

Panarchy

PS: By top of the range, I also want kept into account that it is going to be in my room, so I don't want one that will be super loud. My six year one is pretty loud...

[-pops-]

The easiest thing for you would be to buy a "bundle" - that is a set of essential components guaranteed to be compatible with each other.

Where are you located? If in the UK, Novatech do some good mixes. Click here.

[D4\/!d]

It's not difficult to build a desktop computer but you do need patience and to know what you are doing insofar as to which bit goes where.

The best thing to do to start with is to get hold of a non-working rubbish machine and de-construct it to familiarise yourself with the parts. Next stage would be to get an old, but worthless, working machine, take it apart and put it together again and see if it still works. There are plenty of old computers around which you could use for this.

Panarchy, it will be interesting to read your account of how you get on with pops suggestion of de-constructing and familiarising yourself using old machines.

Let us know when you've actually re-built an "old" PC and got it to work B)

[catgate]

The "building" is a bit like painting by numbers, after you have identified which colour corresponds to which number The "setting up" is the bit that can cause problems, depending on what you have put in there, I have put a few together, some new, some rebuilds and the problems nearly always arise around what drives what, where are the drivers and how do you set them. So on this basis I recommend you do not try to build yourself a box into which you are going to load a new (to you) OS without some guidance.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

It will be very interesting to see with what finished product you come up; are you going to decide on each part with a poll...? You may come up with a list of "best" parts, but will they all be compatible?

[Panarchy]

^Yes, I will have a list of the 'best' parts.

And about them being compatible, after I have decided on 2 parts, I will ask if they are compatible.

Same for 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 (actually not 7, as harddrives should be compatible... SATA and IDE...)

So... the next poll will be for memory.

Any ideas on what poll options I should include?

I am thinking of some models and some brands... but just brands might be better...

[-pops-]

Memory is entirely dependent on the motherboard. No point in having a separate poll for that.

Do you really need to poll every component and then poll for compatibility? I can see people becoming quite bored with that - not least me. I have offered the best solution for you and that is to buy a bundle of parts guaranteed to be compatible. Novatach may not be convenient for you but I'm sure wherever you are located there is some similar supplier.

[Panarchy]

^Oh... oops!

Sorry... must've misread this;

Well, you're gonna need this stuff:

1. Case

2. Motherboard

3. Video card

4. Memory

5. CPU

6. Optical Drives

7. Hard Drives

[D4\/!d]

It's not difficult to build a desktop computer but you do need patience and to know what you are doing insofar as to which bit goes where.

The best thing to do to start with is to get hold of a non-working rubbish machine and de-construct it to familiarise yourself with the parts. Next stage would be to get an old, but worthless, working machine, take it apart and put it together again and see if it still works. There are plenty of old computers around which you could use for this.

Panarchy, it will be interesting to read your account of how you get on with pops suggestion of de-constructing and familiarising yourself using old machines.

Let us know when you've actually re-built an "old" PC and got it to work B)

Panarchy, What progress have you made with building an old machine...

[Scarthy © ® ™]

I would build your own if you can. Most parts now come with a 3 year warranty as standard (some 5yrs!). I bought an Evesham in 2003 and it was 'out-of-date' within 6 months and similar systems were being sold for a quarter of what I paid! I will never buy a new (pre-built) system ever again! Some suppliers even sell motherboard+processor+memory packages now (pre-built and tested - CCL last time I looked). ;)

[Panarchy]

Hello!

I have decided to rev things up a little...

By Saturday (two days away) I will buy all the parts I need.

Then I will start building my 'new' computer.

The only part that I have already decided on is;

Motherboard: ASUS Striker Extreme

I have yet to decide on;

1. Cooling system

2. Case

3. Video card

4. Memory

5. CPU

6. Optical Drives

7. Hard Drives

Please help me out...

Thanks in advance,

Panarchy

PS: I think I will buy a 500GB harddrive... it will go well with my brand new 400GB one (which yesterday I returned to the store because of a fault, and they sent it to the manufacturer...)

PPS: I am thinking of getting 4GB of RAM

[Panarchy]

Update;

I have now decided on;

Motherboard: ASUS Striker Extreme

Graphics Card: Nvidia 8800GT

[Panarchy]

New WishList

Motherboard: ASUS Striker Extreme

Graphics Card: Nvidia 8800GT

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600

Hard Drives: Western Digital (probably a 500GB, as I have just bought a new 400GB one)

[-pops-]

Do not be over-enthusiastic about this. Carry out some basic learning about what you are doing before you begin to build anything new at all. If you don't do this, I can see that the Windows Forum columns will be overflowing with questions from you about your now system not working and asking us to cure it for you.

Do not run before you can walk in this. Computer parts are not cheap and can easily be ruined by injudicious handling and misuse. Carry out the basic taking apart and rebuilding an old machine before you do anything with new components.

Another piece of advice is not to buy your components in advance - they will most likely be cheaper next week or whenever you actually need them.

[Panarchy]

^Hmm.. your last paragraph is interesting... maybe I will wait a bit longer.

[-pops-]

Don't ignore the other two paragraphs.

[Jayno]

Pan

Another approach is to work with a PC builder company that let's you set the menu of components then does the build for you, e.g.

pcspecialist

[Panarchy]

Anyways,

My WishList

Motherboard: ASUS Striker Extreme

Graphics Card: Nvidia 8800GT

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600

Hard Drives: Western Digital (probably a 500GB, as I have just bought a new 400GB one)

____________________________________________________________________

I still don't have;

1. Memory

2. Optical Drives

3. Cooling system

4. Power Supply

Please suggest!

Thanks in advance,

Panarchy

PS: I'll chose the case at the store.