Official Computer Geek Thread

[nvanprooyen]

Sort of an offshoot, but felt like all things "computer geek" deserved its own thread....discussions about hardware, software, coding, whatever.

To kick things off, I want to build a new machine soon. Most of my experience is in the software realm and I haven't been on top of things related to hardware for quite awhile. Been a good 3-4 years since I've put a machine together. Ideally, I want to build something as good as possible for 2k or so...preferably a little under. As far as video goes, I don't play a lot of games...but I want enough performance for that not to be a bottle neck. My main requirements are a shitload of RAM (preferably like 16GB), probably a SSD drive for all my main applications and another large drive for storage purposes. I'm thinking something in the core i7 family if I can get that and stay in budget. Three monitors of pretty decent quality (good enough for design work, accurate colors etc).

All that said, if you were going to spend 2K, what components would you use to build the best machine possible?

 

[nvanprooyen]

Ran into this today while doing some research. Pretty nice guides (looks like they update them fairly regularly). Figured I would drop it here in case anyone else was interested in doing a build soon:

http://techreport.com/review/23204/tr-summer-2012-system-guide

This looks fairly close:

http://techreport.com/review/23204/tr-summer-2012-system-guide/6

Step down on the graphics card, increase the RAM probably. And then probably get 3 Dell Ultrasharps for the monitors.

 

[Scoot26]

We use to have a thread where everyone listed their rig.

As far as helping you, I've been out of the game since I built mine in 08..I know longer know what is top of the line and what not.

 

[ShiftyDevil]

Sort of an offshoot, but felt like all things "computer geek" deserved its own thread....discussions about hardware, software, coding, whatever.

To kick things off, I want to build a new machine soon. Most of my experience is in the software realm and I haven't been on top of things related to hardware for quite awhile. Been a good 3-4 years since I've put a machine together. Ideally, I want to build something as good as possible for 2k or so...preferably a little under. As far as video goes, I don't play a lot of games...but I want enough performance for that not to be a bottle neck. My main requirements are a shitload of RAM (preferably like 16GB), probably a SSD drive for all my main applications and another large drive for storage purposes. I'm thinking something in the core i7 family if I can get that and stay in budget. Three monitors of pretty decent quality (good enough for design work, accurate colors etc).

All that said, if you were going to spend 2K, what components would you use to build the best machine possible?

Why so much RAM? Video Encoding or something?

 

[nvanprooyen]

I dedicate a pretty good chunk to Photoshop. Also typically have a lot of applications open that are kind of resource intensive. In addition, I normally have a Ubuntu VM running on one of the monitors. I like to allocate enough resources to that so that it operates as smoothly as a "real" computer. Plus RAM is pretty cheap in comparison to other stuff, so why not

 

[ShiftyDevil]

I dedicate a pretty good chunk to Photoshop. Also typically have a lot of applications open that are kind of resource intensive. In addition, I normally have a Ubuntu VM running on one of the monitors. I like to allocate enough resources to that so that it operates as smoothly as a "real" computer. Plus RAM is pretty cheap in comparison to other stuff, so why not

Yeah, I have 12 in my current machine. I don't run VMs on it, but, since RAM is so cheap (relatively) and helps so much when running multiple apps and processes it's totally worth it.

I was mostly just curious what you were doing with the box.

I haven't looked but apparently AMD finally has Procs that are back up to nailing the price to performance ratio. But if you're aiming for a $2k build getting an i7 should fit into your budget pretty easily. I have an i7 and it's been, possibly, the most stable, and definitely the fastest processor I've ever used for a personal machine.

 

[nvanprooyen]

I've been using AMD's for years, mostly because of price....but I kind of want to go relatively all in this time and switch over to Intel. I've heard nothing but great stuff about the i7s from people. Plus the quad core I have right now runs really hot, so the fan is on a lot and it annoys the shit out of me. Not sure if that is the case with their newer chipsets.

 

[Crystallas]

I have a VM running most of the time. SMP AMD is better for VMs IMO. But for Single multi, i7 is the way to go. I run my own linux built with windows 7 on top, and my windows 7 has VMs inside of it. I <3 virtualbox and NX.

 

[ShiftyDevil]

EDIT: **** it, I've written this post twice and it keeps going into the freaking abyss. I think it's time to bail on Chrome.

So, super short version without quoting Crystallas because I'm pretty sure it's the heart emoticon that's destroying me:

New AMD procs make me excited to start considering AMD chips when building personal machines.

Super happy with my i7 because what you get per die is awesome.

 

[Crystallas]

EDIT: **** it, I've written this post twice and it keeps going into the freaking abyss. I think it's time to bail on Chrome.

So, super short version without quoting Crystallas because I'm pretty sure it's the heart emoticon that's destroying me:

New AMD procs make me excited to start considering AMD chips when building personal machines.

Super happy with my i7 because what you get per die is awesome.

<3 <3 <3





Anyways. AMD is changing pace with it's CPU development, maybe for the worse because the VP claimed that performance was no longer an important aspect to the cpu division. I'm not a fanboy for anyone, but I never had issues with AMD. Actually, I think it's the funniest thing when someone makes Claim A and B. A.) They have tons of building experience, B.) Have had nothing but issues with AMD chips. This is a bit revealing of how good their experience truly is, and I wouldn't want them near one of my computers. LOL

But anyways, buy what is the best priceerformance/compatibility. WGAF about loyalty, as long as it does what you need. amiright? It's not like intel of the old days, where they bullied everyone in the industry and had some shady practices, the intel today practices good business ethics.

 

[Aegis]

I've been saving my pennies to build a new rig. I just wish that I was there already.

 

[Omeletpants]

Just get a Mac and make life easy on yourself.

 

[Crystallas]

Just get a Mac and make life easy on yourself.

Think different. Build your own, to your own spec.

 

[nvanprooyen]

Just get a Mac and make life easy on yourself.

For the performance I am likely to get out of my 2k build...I don't even want to think about what it would cost me to get the Mac equivalent. Maybe 5 grand? I honestly don't know, but I am sure it would be obscene. Pass.

 

[ShiftyDevil]

Anyways. AMD is changing pace with it's CPU development, maybe for the worse because the VP claimed that performance was no longer an important aspect to the cpu division. I'm not a fanboy for anyone, but I never had issues with AMD. Actually, I think it's the funniest thing when someone makes Claim A and B. A.) They have tons of building experience, B.) Have had nothing but issues with AMD chips. This is a bit revealing of how good their experience truly is, and I wouldn't want them near one of my computers. LOL

But anyways, buy what is the best priceerformance/compatibility. WGAF about loyalty, as long as it does what you need. amiright? It's not like intel of the old days, where they bullied everyone in the industry and had some shady practices, the intel today practices good business ethics.

For probably....I don't know, 5 years I used nothing but AMD processors because they just plain wiped the floor with Intel when considering what you got for the money...then the Core 2s dropped and totally swung back in Intel's favor.

Fan Boy-ism does no one any good, people should really buy what best suits their needs while falling in their desired price range.

That said, I couldn't imagine buying an Apple product right now. The way they're abusing the patent system right now is disgusting, that, and they haven't made a piece of software that I'd be willing to use (for any price) in years. OSX isn't bad per se, I just think it's UI is horrible, QuickTime and iTunes however are pure crapola.

 

[Giant Panda]

You can build a top of line computer for under $600 with rebates.

 

[Giant Panda]

Macs are total pieces of shit, can't even update the specs.

 

[Crystallas]

For probably....I don't know, 5 years I used nothing but AMD processors because they just plain wiped the floor with Intel when considering what you got for the money...then the Core 2s dropped and totally swung back in Intel's favor.

Fan Boy-ism does no one any good, people should really buy what best suits their needs while falling in their desired price range.

That said, I couldn't imagine buying an Apple product right now. The way they're abusing the patent system right now is disgusting, that, and they haven't made a piece of software that I'd be willing to use (for any price) in years. OSX isn't bad per se, I just think it's UI is horrible, QuickTime and iTunes however are pure crapola.

I have a Mac too, and run OSX in VM when I need it. There is hardly anything a Mac does better to a linux machine, except as a user preference. If I didn't need convenient access to OSX for certain clients projects, I would avoid wasting the money on them. But whatever, I try not to dog on apple, except to Mac fanboys.

 

[nvanprooyen]

For probably....I don't know, 5 years I used nothing but AMD processors because they just plain wiped the floor with Intel when considering what you got for the money...then the Core 2s dropped and totally swung back in Intel's favor.

Fan Boy-ism does no one any good, people should really buy what best suits their needs while falling in their desired price range.

That said, I couldn't imagine buying an Apple product right now. The way they're abusing the patent system right now is disgusting, that, and they haven't made a piece of software that I'd be willing to use (for any price) in years. OSX isn't bad per se, I just think it's UI is horrible, QuickTime and iTunes however are pure crapola.

Pretty much the same boat I was in and also the same reason I wouldn't buy a Mac. The cost : performance ratio simply doesn't make sense to me. While their approach to many things annoys me (lawsuits, every fucking thing being proprietary) and the brand zealots / fanboys are pretty annoying too...I do think they make nice products. Just not nice enough to justify the cost IMHO.

 

[nvanprooyen]

You can build a top of line computer for under $600 with rebates.

I guess that depends on what you consider top of the line. I am probably going to spend over that in monitors alone. Yes, I know you can pick up really cheap LCDs for way less than that...but the color accuracy simply isn't there, which is important to me.