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Post by PTH on Oct 7, 2004 21:35:09 GMT -5
Hey all.
Am not sure what to do PC wise, and I figure with people here getting antsy, maybe someone will have a great idea.
I have a Future-shop bought, 1.7 gig Celeron (400 FSB), a 128 Meg Dimm and a 512 Meg Dimm of PC2100 (266MHz) RAM, along with 2 HD's and a DVD burner.
While it gets the job done now, it's getting oldish, so I'd like an upgrade (allowing Doom3 and some video editing to be doable).
Now, the upgrade path is simple enough, I can get a 2.8 Gig Pentium at 250$ off the net, and look into getting a solid All-in-Wonder card; then this system would be pretty much maxed out but would be usable for a while to come, and it would be good enough that I wouldn't be wondering if I need to move my DVD burner or big HD to another PC before standards change or anything.
Problem is, if I have this celeron lying around, I'll want to build a new download computer out of it..... and once I add it the cost of that, along with the new Pentium, the math is tight as whether or not I should just get a better, new, PC (in a "kit" - problem being, I'm sure I'll want to upgrade that kit later on...) - and adding just a little cash can get me up to a solid AMD64, which is what I've got in mind for later on as a "solid system" - but they seem fairly steep still.
So all in all, I'm confused.
Anyone know what I'm talking about ?
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Post by franko on Oct 9, 2004 9:19:26 GMT -5
imho&fwiw:
1. dump the Celeron and don't even think about doing anything with it -- there is a reason that it is cheap.
2. avoid any more FS computer purchases (and MDG!) -- better to either go with a (well-known) local independent who will do on-site work or Dell with an extended warranty. Experience talking here. FS: nothing but problems -- back and forth and back and forth and still the problem did not get properly fixed; indi did the job right away; Dell, though some have had problems (I think my trouble-shooting call was rerouted to India and needed I had to make a second call!) has been pretty good -- their "next day on-site service was right on for a replacement notebook keyboard [my fault; warranty covered!])
3. if you are a do-it-yourselfer, trash the Celeron (avoiding temptation), take the cash you'd spend on the 2.8, take the spare cash (you actually have some?) you have lying around and get the biggest and the best you can afford right now. Of course it will be obsolete tomorrow, but it will do you for a year or so.
Don't mess around piecing together a couple of systems to save a buck -- it never satisfies! I remember doing that a few years back. My piece-by-piece system ended up costing me twice as much as a new machine twice as powerful than I wound up with would have.
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Post by MC Habber on Oct 9, 2004 16:50:48 GMT -5
Thoughts:
--If you go to Future Shop and complain loudly enough that your computer is broken, they might replace it with a new one for free. You'd have to be really aggressive and basically a jerk though, so it's probably only feasable if you really hate FS, but I know people who've bought a PC from FS and then, a year later, gotten a free replacement, and then gotten another replacement a year after that.
--I'm not sure what you use your PC for, but I'm skeptical as to whether you need a 64-bit processor. I think the benefits are limited for most people (though I haven't done any research), but maybe it would be helpful for video editing. Of course it may become the new standard, in which case it might be good to have it. But, the longer you wait on that, the more it should come down in price.
--In general, I don't like to spend money to upgrade an old computer unless I'm confident I won't end up buying a replacement for a while. If you're spending $250 on an upgrade you will want it to last, so you need to decide how long you can wait before buying that AMD64...
--I somewhat favour Intel over AMD, partly because AMDs tend to run louder and hotter, and partly because I don't like AMD's naming scheme. I've been quite impressed by Intel's HyperThreading.
--You can always try and sell what you've got now.
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Post by FormerLurker on Oct 10, 2004 3:18:00 GMT -5
1. dump the Celeron and don't even think about doing anything with it -- there is a reason that it is cheap. I respectfully disagree. A download server or fileserver doesn't need a lot of CPU cycles. As long as you're not doing any multimedia processing, your Celeron still has a few useful years left. I've got a 350MHz AMD Linux box acting as my firewall, fileserver, and wireless access point. 350MHz is plenty to handle these tasks. Your Celeron could do the job too, even without upgrades. I also like to buy my stuff from the local independents. Better service, decent value for money, and support of the local economy. All good. Or, get the biggest and best that was available six months ago, and with the money you save, you can replace it a couple of years earlier. If you do this every three years, then for about the same cost, your technology is about 3.5 years old when it gets replaced instead of 5 years old. That's for sure! Building a system from scratch won't save you time or money, but that's not why we do it. Thoughts: --I'm not sure what you use your PC for, but I'm skeptical as to whether you need a 64-bit processor. I think the benefits are limited for most people (though I haven't done any research), but maybe it would be helpful for video editing. Of course it may become the new standard, in which case it might be good to have it. But, the longer you wait on that, the more it should come down in price. I agree whole-heartedly. Even for heavy-duty gaming machines, a 64 bit processor is overkill and the price just can't be justified, yet. This may not be the case a couple of years from now. I believe that AMD wins on value for money, but it's true that they run louder and hotter. I've got a modded Intel in my living room that runs very quietly, but the AMD in the spare room has to be turned off when I've got guests sleeping over, cause it's noisy as he11. If your machine is going to be in a high-use area (bedroom or living room), then I'd stick with the Intel, but if it'll be in a dedicated room (office, spare room), then I'd take advantage of AMDs aggressive pricing. Good luck PTH. |
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Post by Habit on Oct 10, 2004 11:39:04 GMT -5
I bought a comp yesterday at Staples:
HP a720n - AMD+3200, 200 GB HDD, DVD/CD Burner, CD Rom, 512 MB Ram.
for about $950 (before taxes)
Not complaning. Works great, even though HP preinstalled ALOT of software.
Comes with 1 year or warranty and you can by more if you want. But try to haggle, you might get it for free.
I've been looking for a comp for a few months now, and I must say, that is bang for the buck. I built my last 3 computers and I don't think I could have built it for any cheaper!
M2C.
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Post by MC Habber on Oct 10, 2004 15:42:53 GMT -5
I bought a comp yesterday at Staples: HP a720n - AMD+3200, 200 GB HDD, DVD/CD Burner, CD Rom, 512 MB Ram. Does that include a monitor? Even if it doesn't it's a pretty good deal. |
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Post by franko on Oct 10, 2004 17:37:09 GMT -5
I am envious of you then. I have had a couple Celerons. Supposedly fast, supposedly quality. But had nothing but trouble with both. Or, get the biggest and best that was available six months ago, and with the money you save, you can replace it a couple of years earlier. If you do this every three years, then for about the same cost, your technology is about 3.5 years old when it gets replaced instead of 5 years old. Even the best a month ago does the trick due to planned obsolescence. That's for sure! Building a system from scratch won't save you time or money, but that's not why we do it. Again, frustration set in for me I guess. No matter what I did something went wrong. Add RAM; kill the floppy (believe it or not!). Add a 2nd HD, sound card. Admittedly I'm no pro, but man oh man . . . I believe that AMD wins on value for money, but it's true that they run louder and hotter. I've got a modded Intel in my living room that runs very quietly, but the AMD in the spare room has to be turned off when I've got guests sleeping over, cause it's noisy as he11. If your machine is going to be in a high-use area (bedroom or living room), then I'd stick with the Intel, but if it'll be in a dedicated room (office, spare room), then I'd take advantage of AMDs aggressive pricing. For me the opposite: my AMD at home runs a lot quieter than my Intel P4 at my office; the Intel 2.8 is supposed to be faster but is slower than the AMD 1800 -- figure that! Never can figure out those names with AMD, though: Intel is clear (PI, PII, PIII, P4); AMD Duron Athlon Thunderbird . . . not even an alphabetical progression! And I concur: Good luck PTH. |
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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Oct 11, 2004 8:03:05 GMT -5
Even the best a month ago does the trick due to planned obsolescence. Rule of thumb: Determine what you are primarily going to use the computer for, then check out the appropriate softwares' requirements and away you go*. Anything beyond that is muscle car posturing for the boys. I still use a 233MHz P II powered DYI computer for all my business and pleasure needs. Dual boot Win2k Pro and Red Hat 8.0. 8 year old 17" MagInnovision monitor. HP Laser-Jet IIIsi. CD-RW. Works for me. *Mileage may vary due to the relative development curve of applications in any given field. |
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Post by Habit on Oct 11, 2004 11:30:10 GMT -5
Does that include a monitor? Even if it doesn't it's a pretty good deal. No it doesn't... but I couldn't pass on that. I was going to get a sony for $1099 but his computer kicks it's hiney. |
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Post by PTH on Oct 11, 2004 19:31:55 GMT -5
Thx for the thoughts everyone.
Right now my plan is to keep the Celeron as a download computer, and who knows, it might one day turn into my "work" computer, if ever downloading becomes, er, unproductive. It's fine for surfing and all normal office apps. The new computer would then be a gaming computer/VCR/editing computer.
I'm looking into getting an ADM64 on a 939 socket once the prices on those get low enough. But I wonder why so many people wonder about 64 bits - right now it'll be in 32 bit mode, and it's cheaper than other AMD's of equivalent speed. And I'm thinking that if I want this computer to be of any use in 5 years, I'm better off with a 64-bit one that I can install a 64 bit OS on.
I'm probably going to build it up with my cousin, we can get a better computer, cheaper, this way. I'll be looking for what he calls the "sweet spot" - ie, the best processor that's got a big leap ahead of it, price-wise. For example, if a 2800 is 185$, 3000 is at 200$ and 3200 is 300$, the sweet spot is the 3000.
BTW: if people wanna wish me luck, wish me luck for that blind date on Thursday rather than about some silicon...
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Post by franko on Oct 11, 2004 20:12:22 GMT -5
Thx for the thoughts everyone. BTW: if people wanna wish me luck, wish me luck for that blind date on Thursday rather than about some silicon...  |
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Post by MC Habber on Oct 12, 2004 21:47:35 GMT -5
Rule of thumb: Determine what you are primarily going to use the computer for, then check out the appropriate softwares' requirements and away you go*. Anything beyond that is muscle car posturing for the boys. I still use a 233MHz P II powered DYI computer for all my business and pleasure needs. Dual boot Win2k Pro and Red Hat 8.0. 8 year old 17" MagInnovision monitor. HP Laser-Jet IIIsi. CD-RW. Works for me. *Mileage may vary due to the relative development curve of applications in any given field. You left out the key statistic: how much ram do you have? That's by far the biggest determinant of performance for most uses.... |
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Oct 26, 2004 2:10:25 GMT -5
The Canadian Navy is buying Navy Surplus British IBM computers 8088 processors, 4.77 mhz, DOS with two floppies and selling off their slide rules. The price is right and no lives will be lost.  |
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Post by Montrealer on Oct 26, 2004 13:49:03 GMT -5
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Oct 26, 2004 19:07:52 GMT -5
No offense intended. I'm proud to still hold Canadian citizenship and cheer when Canada wins a hockey game. |
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