Comments | boinggoat: PC hardware

boinggoat

PC hardware

May 28, 2008 19:00

Maybe y'all can help me ( Read more... )

Comments 12

avon_deer May 29 2008, 09:40:09 UTC

Best thing to do is look at the spec of a basic Dell system, and copy that spec, but with more memory and improved graphics card. :D

baloo_ursidae May 29 2008, 20:54:20 UTC

And a decent motherboard. Dell hasn't shipped a decent board in over a decade.

avon_deer May 29 2008, 21:03:45 UTC

If you're referring to the ones in the GX270s that kept on blowing up their caps, I'd have to agree. The amount of man hours wasted calling them for service replacements where I work was unfunny.

baloo_ursidae May 29 2008, 22:07:40 UTC

Not just that, Dell is known for using hardware that isn't what they advertised it to be, which IS a problem when you go to run a new OS on it.

Thread 6

plonq May 29 2008, 10:32:08 UTC

I haven't looked that close at computer specs and parts lately (not since I finally got all the parts of mine working in harmony), but from a quick glance at what's out there, here are some things I'd look for ( ... )

baloo_ursidae May 30 2008, 00:32:02 UTC

I'd steer clear of Creative for sound - in fact most motherboards come with onboard sound that is good enough for anyone who isn't setting up their own recording studio.

If you want Windows lock-in, sure. AC97 is a joke: CPU intensive to use on any platform, and can only handle one audio stream. Better off spending the $5 to get a 10yo SoundBlaster Live! 128 than deal with the craptastic audio chipset slapped on as an afterthought on pretty much every board in existance.

baloo_ursidae May 29 2008, 20:53:49 UTC

And I'd like to be able to do this for at least a few years.

Make sure it doesn't come with Windows then, especially given that Windows 7 is still an "if it's released," not a "when" situation with how poorly Windows has been selling in general the last couple years. You'll get more performance for your money, plus compatability to play Windows based games out of Linux with Wine these days: More Windows games play in Wine than on Windows Vista.

avon_deer May 29 2008, 21:04:47 UTC

I have Windows Vista shipped with this machine I use. I was quick to get another hard drive, and set up Ubuntu on dual boot. Vista is totally awful. I want to get Ubuntu working properly so I can go back to using it more.

baloo_ursidae May 30 2008, 00:33:40 UTC

Hope you refunded the unused vista? No point in wasting money on what you won't use, eh?

baloo_ursidae August 16 2008, 09:10:16 UTC

Whatever you do, make sure it doesn't have AGP. Go PCI Express instead. I had a hell of a time finding a decent AGP video card these days...

I guess you're not on second life yet, then?