So my desktop PC (yes those still exist) is getting to the end of it's natural and much as it pains me I'll need to get something that can run Windoze 11. It's fast enough but compatibility is getting iffy. Crashed for the first time today. Current spec: Intel i7 3770 @ 3.4GHz Asus 16Gb Ram Bluray RW drive - Can reuse 120Gb SSD - only has operating system and programs on - will use as a backup 8Tb Synology RAID NAS - retaining, has all my files remotely accesible 3x 1080p monitors - retaining 2x Nvidia GeForce GTX550Ti graphics 1 for each main monitor the third runs off of the motherboard graphics. Not a gamer but run 3 screens and need a fair amount of oomph. I've built my own in the past, this one was my first pre-built and lasted probably 10 years but it was a supplier that I could spec the components. Dino PC who've since been swallowed up and I'm not up to speed with current tech these days. Not even sure if any of the thinks like SSD or bluray drive will be compatible with a new machine. I tend to buy not the best and fastet, but near the top and keep it for donkeys years. So can anyone spec me a PC base unit or suggest a supplier to look at?
Are you going to build it from scratch yourself or go with a pre-built? Because manufacturers will come into play for parts if your building. For pre-built it depends on the specs you want. If you're not doing it for gaming you should be alright with any brand that doesn't house Intel's dodgy CPU's from the current gen (although they are fixing this issue now). For a workstation powerhouse, I would still go with Intel over AMD who or more for the gaming platform. Def. go for one with 32GB of RAM (with a high frequency) and at least 2TB of storage. Cyber Power PC ripped me off once, HP used to be king of the business world but then again you could ditch Microsoft and go with Apple or Linux. I have to use Linux for all work purposes and it takes a while to get used to but it has never crashed on me once. Chill Master are also very good when it comes to pre-builds, keeping the temps down on a power hungry CPU is a must. It's a bit out=of-date now but the Ryzen 7 5800x should not be over-looked for it's 8 cores and 4.5ghz speed. It can handle most tasks at top speed and can even run most games at 1440p.
Ta. I always went multiple gfx cards as multi monitor performance was important to me but I do very little video & Photoshop these days, more spreadsheets. So as long as 3x 1080p is supported, not fussed. I'm not ruling out building myself but last time I looked pre-builds ended up cheaper. Benchmarking my current setup it seems to be nearly as quick as current budget PCs, so maybe I'm should persevere. I have history with Apple and wouldn't touch their stuff these days. At Uni I lived with 2 computer science students, whose every other conversation focussed on Linux but I'll be sticking to MS as I have some pricey software that needs to run. I'm currently feuding with the office HP printer, it's winning so will prob. give them a miss also. Will check out Chillmaster.
Speak to RLSupplies in Tolpits lane Watford. They'll advise and build you a great system at a good price with a backup of a decent guarantee. I currently love them.
How strange, I had you down as a penguin-phobe. What distro do you use: cinnamon, mint or gnome/ubuntu?
Kodachi, but when I first stated I was using "Tails" to get my feet under the table. Kodachi is a bit like Photoshop - it's complex enough to be a pain the arse to use, but then again there's a reason why it sits at the top table. Not sure if we are going to use something else next year, I hope not as I quite like it now.
Just bought myself a new monster rig off Scan.co.uk AMD Ryzen 9 9900X ASUS RX 9070 XT PRIME OC 2 x 32GB DDR5 RAM 2TB nvme SSD 1TB SSD 8TB HDD 2 x 27" HP Omen Monitors
Woah! Now that is a power house! R9 9900X is a beast of a processor, does it run hot? When I first had the R7 5800X it was like a fireball even at 4.1ghz. 64gb of DDR 5 will destroy load times to boot. Nice SSD choices as well. 8TB HDD seems a little excessive, but then again if you dump all your slow render stuff, music and art on there it keeps the SDD clear for games and the OS. That is a beautiful machine, and yes I am very jealous!
Not sure yet, don't get it for another 10 days or so! I have a lottttttt of football videos + a massive dropbox account, so the plan is to dump them all on the 8TB, use the 2TB for games and the 1TB for the OS to keep things speedy!
So I am thinking about upgrading my CPU to an i9 1400K. It's going for just under £500.00 brand new. Right now I have a Ryzen 7 5800x. I've never gone with Intel before. I know I have to fork out for a new Motherboard, Ram and GPU/CPU cooler to compenstate (got a bit of windfall money come in recently). I've been stuck on AM4 for too long and from what I've read with a compatable motherboard the 1400k is one of Intel's best for general gaming and productivity. Long and short of it is, is the i9 1400k any better (or worse) than the Ryzen 7800X3d which is the next best Ryzen CPU under the 9800 series which is brand new? GPU will be the Nvidia 4080 Super (not paying over £1000.00 for their new 5080 - they can do one. Interested in your suggestions and willing to modify based on it. EDIT: This will be my casual PC (not work related)
You don’t need a comprende as well, if you’re already getting a new Ryzen 7800X3d, motherboard , Ram and GPU/CPU cooler. Any fool knows that. Could have easily picked up a cheap motherboard in the last 48 hours, now motherboard Sunday has passed.
Have always had intel starting with a 486SX25. Always been rock solid for me. Currently on an i7 3770 16GB 2x Geforce 5500. Don't game or do video any more and still need to upgrade to Win11. Work has just installed HP minis and they seem decent for work related stuff running an i7 https://www.hp.com/gb-en/shop/product.aspx?id=885M2EA&opt=ABU&sel=DTP But I'm not sure I can lose my BluRay drive which I still use for ripping CDs. Part of me wants to dip a toe in the water of building a PC again but having looked inside my current one with a view to upgrading it all seems a bit complicated these days.
I built a gaming PC for my niece last year (well I say "built" but it was more of chuck it all together and see what sticks!) the easiest part is installing the RAM, locking in the CPU with thermal paste and attaching the air cooler. The bit that is very difficult is the cable management and knowing exactly which cable goes where. I had to take the one I built to a shop to clarify it wasn't going to explode when she turned it on. Thankfully I did an alright job, did put the exaust fan on the wrong way around. It's easier to buy a "pre-built" these days although the only draw back is you can be very limited to upgrade options. There is a reason I write software and don't touch the hardware!
After a massive tax rebate my youngest has told me he wants to invest in the new Alienware area 51 Laptop. He's a massive gamer always has been and just want people's opinions whether it's overspeced or really worth the investment for the future? He's usually gone desktop but with uni and travelling he wants the versatility of a laptop for a change.
So here is my new gaming PC: CPU: Ryzen 7 9800X3D GPU: Nvidia G-FORCE 5070 TI 16 GB VRAM RAM: 32GB DDR 5 (upgradable to 128GB) 4TB SSD Storage ASUS Gaming Motherboard with WIFI Welcome to "Team Green" Skyla!
It's up for debate, but I would get a gaming desktop instead. Upgrade paths for Gaming Laptops are pretty small (most can only offer new RAM space and storage). It all depends what games you're youngster wants to play and if graphics and beef mean a lot. A gaming laptop is not a terrible purchase by any means. and some of them are very good. It all depends on the upgrade path later on, and whether or not they want to keep upgrading to the newer version down the road. If it's purely for Minecraft/Fortnite then it doesn't matter really. Personally speaking I would go for a desktop purely for the differences, speed and power over a laptop. Have a look at both options, consider the prices and go down whatever path he is happy with.
100% I'd avoid a laptop unless it absolutely has to be mobile. Twice the cost and half the reliability.
Also the personal security aspect. If you use it for online banking, personal stuff etc it is so easy to just leave it on a train or have it pinched in a pub/restaurant etc.
Excellent point and well made. I've once seen a laptop seemingly abandoned on bus before, told the driver who said "I'll sort it later..." got off the bus and to this day I have no idea if he took it for himself or did the honest thing and handed it in to lost property.
