new computer

[gundog]

I had my own computer business and about 10 years I got out of the industry for a number of reasons.

Since then I dont generally keep up with the latest fad or this or that, but as a observation when I was a part of the industy I offer the following for you thoughts.

1. Mac excellent platform just too darn dear

2. Intel processor the most widely used and available. From the early days they trailed behind 386/486 era, i wasnt untill they released the Pentium that they gain the market lead which maintain to this day, because they are the most used their not always the best.

3. AMD have always produced and sold a superior processor. Why? because their testing process is better than the rest, and that partly the reason why they are usually a little behind Intel in getting their latest processor into the market place.

4. Modern PC's are power hungery animals, 10 years ago a 300w power supply was plenty but now look for the biggest power supply available or a dual power supply case.

5. Graphics cards get the best your budget can afford.

Lastly you may need to consider who is actually using it and what their individual needs are, it the kids anr't big or heavy gamers then a couple of off the rack models may be a better choice.

Oh I am biased towards AMD processors.

[David]

I started going through and replying to all the wrong sections there but I stopped

[madali]

Ok went to purchase the computer and it was a disaster and we are back to the drawing board. The guy serving me was a moron and really got on my nerves. Told him I wanted there deal but wanted to upgrade to 8 gig ram and wanted the 64 bit windows home edition. Easy enough request but then the fun started. He said give me the details and payment and we will build it with in a week. When I asked to get it today he gave me differing reasons why he could not but eventually said he would get it done as a favor to me.
When he went through the deal he tells me that I cant get windows 7 64 bit home for at least a couple of weeks but for an extra $70 he would do windows 7 pro. Fine what ever it took. Then he tells me that I cant have the graphics card again for at least a week but did I really want a graphics card anyway as he did not think I would need it. When I insisted that I did want a graphics card he offered and alternate at an extra $100. Fine just do it. Then was another extra not sure what that was for $50 and an extra $120 for the extra Ram. Just about to pay and getting rather angry that this had taken 40 minutes and I was running late for work ( never been late in 7 years) but still being very polite when he tells me that unfortunately the motherboard only has two slots for Ram so I can only have 4 gig of ram. When I insisted I wanted 8 he became quite rude and told me I was being stupid I did not need 8 gig of ram ( not sure if this is true but if I want it and am willing pay the extra lets find a solution dont call me stupid). He did say that instead of 4 2 gig rams added I could add 2 4 gig but would be unwilling to do this as it was not a practical.
So the shortened version I thanked he for his time and said I would leave it for the moment. I did not get my computer and am back to square one. Who knew this would be so hard

[John Miller]

the guy is a jackass...

I mean who has just 1 motherboard with only 2 ram slots ???
the man is an IDIOT !!

Let me know if you need any help here, I am in the business and can arrange delivery to anywhere.
1 of my suppliers is altech.com.au have a look at the Elite 6000a Series System, just about what you are after I think.

[madali]

Thank you for all of your help Codger. I will have a look later at that site and may take you up on your offer. I have spoken to my son for the first time in weeks and he like the guy at the computer store he said I was an idiot for insisting on 8 gig ram and that I only needed 4. Took it much better from him as he is not trying to sell me something

[madali]

Thank you everyone for all of your help. Finally ordered my pc today. Ended up with the following

i5 661 3.33 GHZ
HDD to 3.5" CAVIAR GREEN, 2TB, INTELIPOWER, 64MB,
4 gig ram
23 inch hd lcd monitor
32 bit windows 7 (My son advised against the 64 bit as he said I would be lost if I had problems with programs and the applications that we use would not require this so erred on the side of caution).

No going back now. Graphics card still to come as my son was not happy with the ones on offer at the website and advised he could get me a great one much cheaper which he will put in for me. I already have a great full sound system for my computer so that was not needed. Will format the old one I think. Unfortunately this means my daughter will loose all the Justin Beiber songs. Wow there was an upside to all of this

Again thank you everyone for your advice it was greatly appreciated.

[bennymacca]

another thing you might want is a small hard drive to install windows and your programs on.

2TB are huge, but can slow your computer down a lot

if i were you i would buy a 640 gig hdd as well to install windows on, and have the 2TB as a second drive.
having said that, the 64 meg cache is pretty good


not sure what the other guys think about that one

[madali]

Just an update still waiting for my new computer to arrive. Have a tracking code now so know it is on its way but I am just not the most patient person Again thank you to all that helped you advice was invaluable.
On a happier note my new chanting cymbals that I ordered yesterday while tracking my order should be here tomorrow. I know they are going to help with my next poker game. While the chant of "mmmmmm Let Gayle win poker mmmmmm" was having a positive impact I just dont think it is the same as when you ding the cymbals at the end
Bet you glad you are not married to me ( although I have never once complained about my husband playing too much poker even before I played when he was playing every possible night and that was every night for 2 years so perhaps I am not so bad after all).