Thinking about a new computer
Jan. 13th, 2008 02:49 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dreamsharkI'm very afraid that the next one of my essential things to break down will be my computer. It's not like it hasn't been emitting squeaks of exhaustion and despair for months now. I've already spent way too much time trying to cleanse, upgrade, and debug it. There's just been too many new devices, demanding games, random pieces of freeware, and mismatched drivers flowing through it over the past four and a half years. For a computer that age it's not doing too badly. I could live with the RAM maxing out all the time, and the almost daily hangs and the fact that I still cannot install XP Service Pack2. But I'm getting the hankering to play a new game, and this poor old thing can't handle the game I have in mind.
So... I'm looking for advice on what to get. Mac people, you can leave the room now. I don't want to hear about how much better your stuff is. I'm happy for you that you've found your electronic soulmate, but I don't want a Mac. Here's what I do want - a computer that:
* Supports the same classic Windows interface I am so comfortable with, runs Office 97, and works with my essential shareware apps (i.e, NO VISTA).
* Supports all my peripheral devices (like I said, no Vista).
* Will run my old games (at least the ones that currently run on XP).
* Will not become RAM-bound in the next 2 years (I'm getting the max amount of RAM that I can jam into the thing this time!)
* Will play kickass first-person shooters for at least the next year or so with all the graphics turned up high (doesn't have to be the fastest possible CPU, but I want a top of the line graphics card )
LOOKING FOR SUGGESTIONS ON...
* Components. I'm not sure if anybody reading this is into high-end gaming, but if you are, what's the graphics card I can't live without? What about CPU - AMD or Intel?
* Who can build it for me? Once I figure out what I want, I can always order it from Dell. I did that in 2000 and was happier with the results than I was with the overpriced Alienware I bought in 2003. But I know that a lot of people sneer at Dell and recommend going with local businesses or individuals. Any recommendations?
* Just how hard is it to build your own from scratch? I've installed components in existing systems, but really wouldn't know where to start to build one from the ground up. Anybody with experience in that area that could help me, or point me to instructions for novice computer builders? I once rebuilt an engine using the book, "How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive." I'd need something at least that simplistic and detailed.
So... I'm looking for advice on what to get. Mac people, you can leave the room now. I don't want to hear about how much better your stuff is. I'm happy for you that you've found your electronic soulmate, but I don't want a Mac. Here's what I do want - a computer that:
* Supports the same classic Windows interface I am so comfortable with, runs Office 97, and works with my essential shareware apps (i.e, NO VISTA).
* Supports all my peripheral devices (like I said, no Vista).
* Will run my old games (at least the ones that currently run on XP).
* Will not become RAM-bound in the next 2 years (I'm getting the max amount of RAM that I can jam into the thing this time!)
* Will play kickass first-person shooters for at least the next year or so with all the graphics turned up high (doesn't have to be the fastest possible CPU, but I want a top of the line graphics card )
LOOKING FOR SUGGESTIONS ON...
* Components. I'm not sure if anybody reading this is into high-end gaming, but if you are, what's the graphics card I can't live without? What about CPU - AMD or Intel?
* Who can build it for me? Once I figure out what I want, I can always order it from Dell. I did that in 2000 and was happier with the results than I was with the overpriced Alienware I bought in 2003. But I know that a lot of people sneer at Dell and recommend going with local businesses or individuals. Any recommendations?
* Just how hard is it to build your own from scratch? I've installed components in existing systems, but really wouldn't know where to start to build one from the ground up. Anybody with experience in that area that could help me, or point me to instructions for novice computer builders? I once rebuilt an engine using the book, "How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive." I'd need something at least that simplistic and detailed.
no subject
Date: 2008-01-14 07:38 am (UTC)I've also heard good things about General Nanosystems.
Kevin has tended to buy PCs off of websites for dirt cheap, though I think this last time he looked for a better machine for gaming-- he might have some ideas.
I've built a PC from the ground up, more or less, and it's dead simple really. Well, I bought a case that already had a motherboard; then added RAM, harddrive, optical drive, video card, etc. You just have to pay attention to details of the components to make sure they'll work together. I bought components from newegg.com and then put 'em together.