PC Setup
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- unknown
i'm usually a mac bud, but feel the urge to get a second system for a budget of £500 (minus tft etc). used for movies and 3d work, oh and a bit of gaming!
i'm used to good looking machines too, so wouldn't mind a decent case!deffo PC but which OS is best?
graphics card?
supplier?
processor?any suggestions or links peeps?
- matt250
IBM makes nice machines
Intel Processors
GEforce series of graphics cards are good
- unknown0
athlon or p4?
ebay or known supplier?
cases?
- sp0
Build it yourself with a smooth Lian-li all metal case (conducts heat better)...
- matt250
I'd go Pentium but that is just my pref. Never owned an Athlon
- aesthetik0
i'd go AMD for the processor.
GeForce of some sort for the video card. www.directron.com has some decent cases. i bought a motherboard bundle from www.mwave.com plus got them to test it for a few bucks extra...which means they slap the processor on and the ram. be sure to get a powersupply to fit your processor or you'll be screwed.
goodluck
- mbr0
Cheaper than IBM, better satisfaction/support. No tax, either (for a home system). It won't be any cheaper to build your own system, you get the support, and it will work.
- unknown0
to get a decent machine to do all that... you will need to build yourself one or have a nerdy friend help you.
go to http://www.newegg.com youcan get stuff at a good price there and they are a great company.
- matt250
I've had nothing but nightmares with Dell
I purchased a IBM 133MHZ computer in 1995 that still runs fine to this day!
- mbr0
Really? I have 3 of them and have never had a problem. 1 workstation and 2 home.
What it comes down to is if you like to get dirty and tinker, or if you like someone else to stress over it (like compatibility, motherboards, etc.) Some do, and more power to ya if it's you, me, on the other hand, enjoy working on design related issues.I don't think you could go wrong with an IBM, really, but I just stick with Dell as they are cheaper.
- unknown0
stay away from dell desktops.... they never run as fast as they should... they have trippy symptons... build you own..
- mbr0
Hey, guys, I won't challenge your claims about your experiences with Dell, but to suggest to someone 'to build your own' without knowing whether they even have the knowledge to do it, maintain it, and trouble shoot it, is not much help.
My previous employer, an architecture firm, used Dell workstations for all 2000 of their employees. Because they work and are reliable. The same reason's that I use them.
I respect one's desire to choose the specific components, etc., but it ain't for everyone.
As for performance, if you check the latest specs (comparing various workstations) you'll see that Dell's continually rank near the top (Boxxtech is another one I highly recommend, but they are more for the high end) for speed.
- sp0
I agree with the fact that not everyone is skilled or confident enough to build their own machine...but it isn't rocket science either...and, what could it hurt to learn?
And, I've built high-end dual processor boxes cheaper than any dell - especially a Dell with comparable speed and power.
Fact is, to get a top-o-line box it's best to get specific, non-proprietary parts and build a good box.
It just takes a little reading. I never went to school to build servers and workstations, but I can do it now without a second thought.
Besides....just something pretty about those mod cases...mmmmm
:)
I would say, get a Dell if you don't want to build your own. But, I would trust an IBM over a Dell any day.
- unknown0
specs shmecs.... when you get the thing home and out of the box...... i can set up next to any computer.... and its slower... realiable.. yes.. but slower YES.
to geta truely decent FAST machine.... Build your own and get a friend to help you... or spend the extra and buy and ALIENWARE.
Dells are decent and reliable but the specs dont match up to the real preformance.
- unknown0
ta for the advice, but you've gotta remember this has gotta be a phat first pc, something that's gonna last me a few years, i've worked on them for years but never owned one, so would it's gonnna be a learning curve. maybe it's a good idea to spec it to a budget then get someone to build.
processor speed is a must as is reliability. what OS would you recommend?
- mbr0
I've thought about building them over the past year, but have chosen to spend my time learning the nuances of Global Illumination, CSS, etc., etc. All depends on your priorities, as with most things.
Never had an IBM, always liked 'em, but with the tax they always came in way more (not to mention they charge about 75% more for their Trinitron monitors).
To each his own.
Good luck with the PC, you'll love it ; )
- unknown0
if you want it to last you a few years and want speed.. you need to build your own...
Read up on it or ask a friend its easy.
Run Windows XP Pro
- unknown0
i doubt i'll love it as much as the mac, but it's good to have both. see mac can live with pc after all!
- sp0
Linux. But, again..that's just me.
My SGI Visual workstation runs like a dream with Linux on it.
:)
So does my IBM Thinkpad.
But, you're limited to what games you can play....Unreal Tournament is god on Linux...though.
- unknown0
sounds good... got any pics?