What would be better?

psp83 · Jul 29, 2008, 12:05:25

I posted a while ago about rebuilding my pc at home.

Its a Pentium D 2.8ghz, 2gb RAM, PCI-E

I want to upgrade to a better spec machine within the next 2 months (end sept). I dont know if i should just buy a new one or buy the parts and rebuild my machine i have now

I'm a web designer/coder and have lots of power hungry apps open, esp photoshop cs3.

So, should i rebuild or buy a new pc?

I will be going over to Vista.

john · Jul 29, 2008, 12:30:49

If you have lots of apps open at the same time then providing they don't need to interact with each other then it may be worth considering running them on more than one machine which needn't be as highly spec'd as a single machine trying to run them, especially as you already have the existing machine. You can also get switch boxes to enable you to use the same keyboard, mouse and monitor and with a local network you can transfer data between machines.

I'm not saying this is necesarily the best solution for you, just that it's an option that you may wish to consider if you decide to buy another machine rather than upgrade your existing one. It also gives you the option of still being able to work if one machine develops a fault.

I have two machines a work which came in handy when a script that I developed recently took 4 days to execute due to memory paging requirements and caused the machine to slow down to almost a standstill.

Rik · Jul 29, 2008, 12:48:23

See what deals are out there, Paul. It's often as cheap to buy new as to re-build, especially if consumer spending is down.

vitriol · Jul 29, 2008, 14:32:17

More specs of your current machine would help get a definitive answer Paul, for example if your motherboard is a LGA775 socket then you could drop in a duel / quad core CPU (depends on BIOS support), another GB of RAM (if you're moving to Vista 32bit) would be a good decision. Also as vista is dependant on the graphics card I would strongly recommend a dedicated card (if you don't have one already.)

If you're struggling with Motherboard information, normally CPU-Z will give you plenty of information about it.

Depending on what you currently have though it might be best to go with Rik's suggestion and just buying new.

psp83 · Jul 29, 2008, 17:10:58

I'm at work at the mo so cant get any specs as vnc is not working.

I use CPU-Z anyways.

The mobo is LGA775. Its an Acer. CPU-Z doesn't give the mobo brand though.

The mobo is maxed out on memory already (2gb max)

I have a PCI-E dedicated card. its a eVGA GeForce 512mb 7950 GT KO

vitriol · Jul 29, 2008, 18:29:16

That limits things a little then. Assuming that your BIOS supports them, a quick upgrade would be to put in a fast duo / quad. The Q6600 GO SLACR version retails for around £110. Shame that you can't add more RAM as Photshop loves the stuff and going over to Vista will put a big dent into your physical RAM.

Unless you're prepared to stick in another motherboard thats just about it as far as an upgrade is concerned. Unless Acer have released a new BIOS that supports more than 2GB RAM.

Still cheaper than a new system though, but there are some great deals to be had from the likes of Dell.

psp83 · Jul 29, 2008, 19:09:26

I might just buy a custom built one from a local pc shop and use this one as a server as my old server died a few months ago.

Heres some more specs.

Processor :

Intel Pentium D 820
SmithField
Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz
Socket 775 LGA

Chipset & Memory :

Northbridge : ATI RS400/RC400/RC410 rev. 01
Southbridge : ALI M1573 rev. 31
Graphic Interface : PCI-Express
Memory Type : DDR2
Memory Size : 2048 MBytes

System :

System Manufacturer : ACER
System Name : Aspire T650
Mainboard Vendor : ACER
Mainboard Model : ERC410Mÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ
BIOS Vendor : American Megatrends Inc.
BIOS Version : R02-A3
BIOS Date : 06/02/2006

psp83 · Jul 29, 2008, 23:25:17

Just been on Dells website and what do you think about the following specs?

PROCESSOR : Intel® Core™ 2 Quad-Core Q9450 Processor (2.66GHz, 12MB cache, 1333MHz FSB)
OPERATING SYSTEM : Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium with Service Pack 1, 32-bit - English
MEMORY : 4096MB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [4x1024]
HARD DRIVE : 500GB (7200rpm) SATA Hard Drive
GRAPHICS CARD : 256MB ATI® Radeon™ HD 3650 graphics card
OPTICAL DRIVE : DVD +/- RW Drive (read/write CD & DVD)
SOUND SOFTWARE : Integrated 7.1 Channel High Definition Audio
FLOPPY/MEDIA DRIVES : 19-in-1 Media Card Reader

Price : £609.02 (inc del)

Or i can go with the above except with a diff processor.

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E8200 processor (2.66GHz, 1333MHz, 6MB cache)

Price : £469.02 (inc del)

Simon · Jul 30, 2008, 00:33:40

When I was 'researching' my latest build, I was advised that the Dual Core would be more than adequate, unless I intended to run more than two resource intensive applications simultaneously, and it does seem quite a jump in price for the Quad. Don't take my advice though, Paul, as I'm hardly qualified to make any expert judgements.

psp83 · Jul 30, 2008, 00:53:03

On a normal day i would normally have the following running at the same time..

Outlook
Excel
Word
Dreamweaver CS3
Fireworks/Photoshop CS3
Several Browers
WLM & Yahoo.

Simon · Jul 30, 2008, 01:11:01

I guess, if the money isn't an issue, the Quad would be future proof, and it's also always good to have power in reserve.

I'm sure you'll receive more advice in the morning, Paul.

Rik · Jul 30, 2008, 09:53:49

Go Quad, Paul, given the kind of apps you run.

Inactive · Jul 30, 2008, 10:12:06

Keep an eye on this Paul;

http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/2867_6766.htm

No price yet.

Gary · Jul 30, 2008, 10:18:48

I believe there is price drop in Q3 on the way from Intel, at the end of this month possibly but keep your eyes peeled online, could mean some great bargains will be had

psp83 · Jul 30, 2008, 10:29:23

Here's another spec with Q6600 Processor

PROCESSOR : Intel® Core™ 2 Quad-Core Q6600 Processor (2.4GHz, 8MB cache, 1066MHz FSB)
OPERATING SYSTEM : Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium with Service Pack 1, 32-bit - English
MEMORY : 4096MB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [4x1024]
HARD DRIVE : 500GB (7200rpm) SATA Hard Drive
GRAPHICS CARD : 256MB ATI® Radeon™ HD 3650 graphics card
OPTICAL DRIVE : DVD +/- RW Drive (read/write CD & DVD)
SOUND SOFTWARE : Integrated 7.1 Channel High Definition Audio
FLOPPY/MEDIA DRIVES : 19-in-1 Media Card Reader

Price : £499.01 (inc del)

psp83 · Jul 30, 2008, 10:30:49

what shall i go for?

Rik · Jul 30, 2008, 10:32:56

I'd go for the £600 one, it's more future proof. Though I am well known for spending other people's money.

Gary · Jul 30, 2008, 10:35:14

Quote from: Rik on Jul 30, 2008, 10:32:56
I'd go for the £600 one, it's more future proof. Though I am well known for spending other people's money.

I agree with Rik, I always go for more than I need to save having to update components at a later date, and future proof my machine for as long as possible

Rik · Jul 30, 2008, 10:38:43

Like minds. Of course, I'd add a couple or three extra HDs to the spec too.

psp83 · Jul 30, 2008, 10:45:47

I would add extra hard drives but dell site doesn't offer the option, plus it'll be cheaper to get a few from ebuyer! and i have some to take out my old pc aswell

Rik · Jul 30, 2008, 10:47:00

Strange that, Paul, you'd think they'd at least offer the option on a second drive.

Inactive · Jul 30, 2008, 10:48:03

I would wait until Aldi give a price on their one, you may be pleasantly surprised, I have one of their machines, just coming up to 3 years old, no problems at all.

psp83 · Jul 30, 2008, 10:49:41

Me wait? I want everything yesterday lol..

Rik · Jul 30, 2008, 10:50:19

Give it time, that will change.

Inactive · Jul 30, 2008, 10:53:29

Quote from: psp83 on Jul 30, 2008, 10:49:41
Me wait? I want everything yesterday lol..

It may well be worth the wait, the spec looks good to me.

In any case, it will be in the shops on Sunday, still quicker than waiting for Dell delivery.

Gary · Jul 30, 2008, 11:08:27

The Quad-Core Q9450 is a better processor than the 6600 which is getting a bit old now but it still has its place, in a new build I would go for the Q9450, the newer proc has more advantages, including the SSE4 multimedia instruction.

# 12MB of L2 Cache
# 45nm Process
# Performance
# Overclocking Headroom
# Low Voltage Needed
# Reasonable Temperatures

I would definitely go for that over the 6600 now.

psp83 · Jul 30, 2008, 23:25:56

So i've gone for the following pc from dell.

PROCESSOR : Intel® Core™ 2 Quad-Core Q9450 Processor (2.66GHz, 12MB cache, 1333MHz FSB)
OPERATING SYSTEM : Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium with Service Pack 1, 32-bit - English
MEMORY : 4096MB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [4x1024]
HARD DRIVE : 500GB (7200rpm) SATA Hard Drive
GRAPHICS CARD : 256MB ATI® Radeon™ HD 3650 graphics card
OPTICAL DRIVE : DVD +/- RW Drive (read/write CD & DVD)
SOUND SOFTWARE : Integrated 7.1 Channel High Definition Audio
FLOPPY/MEDIA DRIVES : 19-in-1 Media Card Reader

Price : £589.02 insted of £609.02 (inc del)

Should get delivered on or before the 12/08/2008

I'm going to get a couple 1TB HD's from ebuyer aswell.

One for the new PC and a couple for this old one, using it as a server and has 5 sata hd ports so might aswell get a big storage server setup.

Rik · Jul 31, 2008, 10:20:08

Sounds like you should be OK for a while, Paul.

Inactive · Jul 31, 2008, 10:36:17

Great news Paul.

For anyone interested, the Aldi one ( link above ) is priced at £469.99.

I am sorely tempted.

Rik · Jul 31, 2008, 10:38:17

Go on, In, you deserve a treat.

Inactive · Jul 31, 2008, 10:40:35

I may just do Rik, now if only it had XP on it...

The spec does look good for the money.

Rik · Jul 31, 2008, 10:45:54

It does. Shame Glenn's XP CDs are Dell only.

psp83 · Jul 31, 2008, 11:09:44

One reason i went will Dell and not Aldi is because the better cpu and 1gb more memory.

And i dont have a Aldi around here, Think the nearest one is Bristol and i'm to busy to travel anywhere

Inactive · Jul 31, 2008, 11:13:36

Fair comment Paul, I am sure you will be delighted with the Dell.

JB · Jul 31, 2008, 11:40:43

Quote from: Inactive on Jul 31, 2008, 10:36:17

For anyone interested, the Aldi one ( link above ) is priced at £469.99.

I am sorely tempted.

This seems an excellent buy. It seems to have digital TV inputs for both satellite and terrestrial. It has DVI and HDMI video out.

I'm tempted as well.

JB.

Inactive · Jul 31, 2008, 11:46:59

It does indeed have a Freeview and a satellite tuner, as does my now 3 year old Medion, the only slight let down is the provided " wired " mouse and keyboard, mine came with wireless Logitech ones, other than that, excellent.

Never had any problems in 3 years with my old one.

psp83 · Jul 31, 2008, 11:49:26

Thats what i'm looking for now.

My current PC has a TV tuner for digital and normal.

I'm looking for a card that does digital tv and sky digital.

Any ideas?

Inactive · Jul 31, 2008, 11:50:10

Link to full spec;

http://www.medion.de/ms/aldi/md8393/uk/flash.html

Inactive · Jul 31, 2008, 11:52:02

Quote from: psp83 on Jul 31, 2008, 11:49:26
Thats what i'm looking for now.

My current PC has a TV tuner for digital and normal.

I'm looking for a card that does digital tv and sky digital.

Any ideas?

Any satellite card will work with Sky, however you will only get some free to view channels, you will not get CH4 CH5's or Sky3, they are all encypted.

psp83 · Jul 31, 2008, 12:01:01

I'm not worried about getting the "full" sky onto the pc. Just from the RF out 2 cable part. The one you use to put sky onto a 2nd TV..

You watch whatever the channel is on in the other room sort of thing.

Inactive · Jul 31, 2008, 12:07:55

You have me beat there Paul, I am not sure that any PC Card will do that. ( I could well be wrong ).

Your best option would be to run a coax feed from a Sky Receiver via RF2 outlet, then use a Magic Eye so that you can change channel, using your existing Sky Remote.

psp83 · Jul 31, 2008, 20:44:52

Got a phone call today saying the computer will be with me on monday between 8am - 1pm.

I was told by there support it be 7 - 12 days so wasn't expecting the phone call today

Simon · Jul 31, 2008, 21:57:54

Great stuff, Paul!

Inactive · Aug 01, 2008, 00:07:38

That's good news Paul..

psp83 · Aug 04, 2008, 12:47:54

Well its here

Just removing all the pre installed cr*p they put on then will install apps and start restoring a few backups

psp83 · Aug 04, 2008, 13:09:15

Just replaced the graphics card that came with the pc to my one a bought a year or so ago and managed to get it from a 5.2 to a 5.8/9 rating

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Lance · Aug 04, 2008, 13:49:39

Is the maximum still rating still a 6, or have they increased it?

Looking good, Paul!

psp83 · Aug 04, 2008, 14:15:23

Went onto MS site and they say the max is still 5.9.

QuoteThe scale of the Windows Experience Index ranges from 1.0 to 5.9. A higher base score generally means that your computer will perform better and faster than a computer with a lower base score, especially when performing more advanced and resource-intensive tasks.