Looking to buy a new computer

[jeffsg4mac]

You're mixing up a lot of opinions and passing them off as facts there, careful. This post will serve more to incite flame wars than actually provide anyone with meaningful information about the pros and cons of OSX vs "any version of windows" or any other OS.

My opinions are based on the fact that I worked in IT for many years and have been using computers since the Commodore 64. I have worked on and with just about every OS that people and companies use as well as most hardware. I know all the problems that both windows and Mac OS have from the implementation side and the end user side. Even though a I am no longer in the IT world, I still fix and deal with windows, mac and linux boxes on a constant basis both as a favor and sort of hobby you might say. I am not just some mac fan boy throwing out statements not based on any real world experience.

Hell I even had a subscription to Antic magazine

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

You're mixing up a lot of opinions and passing them off as facts there, careful. This post will serve more to incite flame wars than actually provide anyone with meaningful information about the pros and cons of OSX vs "any version of windows" or any other OS.

emorphien, thou my opinion about OSX isn't held as high as jeff's - his post is very neutral and based on facts and experience.

In the end - the OS preference comes down to what you more familiar with.
Both Win7 and OS-X are stable and robust OSes. Neither of them are perfect.
OS-X is less likely to get a virus, just because it's less popular platform, not because it's more secure - the opposite it more true.
You'll have much easier time to find app/game for windows than for mac.

 

[Patrukas777]

Here's another issue that happened with my computer yesterday...

I accidentally bumped my laptop, and a bluescreen error occurred and it crashed. What the heck would cause that? The only thing I can think of is maybe a loose wire or something of the sort???

I really appreciate everyone's advice and/or opinion. I'm really looking into everything that is being posted.

 

[jeffsg4mac]

Here's another issue that happened with my computer yesterday...

I accidentally bumped my laptop, and a bluescreen error occurred and it crashed. What the heck would cause that? The only thing I can think of is maybe a loose wire or something of the sort???

I really appreciate everyone's advice and/or opinion. I'm really looking into everything that is being posted.

You probably caused the hard drive to malfunction. That could happen to any computer though. Even Macs get kernal panics from time to time. However, I have not had one since 2003 Windows 7 crashed on me the other day though. I was setting up a system for someone and installing drivers and bamm! down it went.

 

[Patrukas777]

You probably caused the hard drive to malfunction. That could happen to any computer though. Even Macs get kernal panics from time to time. However, I have not had one since 2003 Windows 7 crashed on me the other day though. I was setting up a system for someone and installing drivers and bamm! down it went.

just seems weird because it was such a soft bump. It also did the same thing when I picked up my laptop to move it to the table.

 

[jeffsg4mac]

just seems weird because it was such a soft bump. It also did the same thing when I picked up my laptop to move it to the table.

hmmm, could be the drive or could be something with a loose solder joint. I had an older laptop I was working on that had a hairline crack on one of the boards. It was fine until you moved it then blue screen of death.

 

[Hi Ho]

Could be hard drive related. If the drive was being written to at that moment then that could be what caused the BSOD. Try downloading HDTune and run an error scan.

There are many other possible causes. Drivers, RAM, other software. Installing a fresh copy of Windows would be an improvement (assuming there are no hardware issues). I haven't used Vista since the first beta of 7 came out. I haven't looked back.

I am typing this on my 3 year old Toshiba laptop that came with Vista but has run Windows 7 since the first beta and it has been 100% rock solid and reliable. The same goes for my two DIY desktop machines which run 24/7 and reboot only when needed for updates. One of them has been running for 23 days straight without a reboot or any hiccup.

Windows machines can be super solid. Most of the problems associated with them is related to the crapware shipped with most new PC's. Overzealous antivirus programs (Norton, McAffee), trialware, and manufacturer produced "maintainance" software are the major culprits.

 

[Patrukas777]

When I was moving my computer it was on the desktop screen. Nothing was open other than an internet browser, which had already been loaded.

I've wiped out the original windows that came with the computer 2 times already. Only anti-virus I'm using is Esset NOD 32 and windows defender. Windows has updates on auto, and I check at least once a week.

 

[Patrukas777]

I would consider building my own computer if I could find a place by me to buy the parts. Now if I built my own, would I be able to install OS X on it? I'm also thinking about waiting for OS X Lion, and the fixed sandy bridge processors.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I would consider building my own computer if I could find a place by me to buy the parts. Now if I built my own, would I be able to install OS X on it? I'm also thinking about waiting for OS X Lion, and the fixed sandy bridge processors.

Legally you can only install any Apple made OS on the Apple made computer.
Anything else called Hackintosh, thou technically possible - you're on your own - it's not straightforward task.

Regarding PC parts - forget about B&M - just go to newegg.com
I'm waiting till end of this month to upg my 5 year old pc for Sandy Bridge platform (i5-2500and P67 Mbo) will be back in stock after intel recall.

 

[Patrukas777]

Legally you can only install any Apple made OS on the Apple made computer.
Anything else called Hackintosh, thou technically possible - you're on your own - it's not straightforward task.

Regarding PC parts - forget about B&M - just go to newegg.com
I'm waiting till end of this month to upg my 5 year old pc for Sandy Bridge platform (i5-2500and P67 Mbo) will be back in stock after intel recall.

Hows the customer service of Newegg? Are they pretty knowledgable? The only reason why I wanted to go to a B&M is so I can talk to someone in person and see the differences in components.

 

[GranteedEV]

I would consider building my own computer if I could find a place by me to buy the parts. Now if I built my own, would I be able to install OS X on it? I'm also thinking about waiting for OS X Lion, and the fixed sandy bridge processors.

newegg
excaliberPC - my favorite
NCIX

there is also tiger direct but i didnt enjoy my experience with them PERSONALLY

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Hows the customer service of Newegg? Are they pretty knowledgable? The only reason why I wanted to go to a B&M is so I can talk to someone in person and see the differences in components.

Newegg as best CS from all online stores. They don't have per-se any sort of consulting services, but Toms hardware have once or twice a year newegg sponsored Pc builds articles for several different budgets from 500 to 2000

If you are ready to DIY your pc - post your budget and main uses/needs and I'll build you list of stuff to buy

 

[Patrukas777]

Newegg as best CS from all online stores. They don't have per-se any sort of consulting services, but Toms hardware have once or twice a year newegg sponsored Pc builds articles for several different budgets from 500 to 2000

If you are ready to DIY your pc - post your budget and main uses/needs and I'll build you list of stuff to buy

I still want to wait until the Sandy Bridge recall is fixed.

I'm looking to run HD video, play video games, browse the internet, mild photography. Budget will probably be about 2k USD. I would like to have a powerful system, just in case I feel like using some serious power...and something that will last me a while.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I still want to wait until the Sandy Bridge recall is fixed.

I'm looking to run HD video, play video games, browse the internet, mild photography. Budget will probably be about 2k USD. I would like to have a powerful system, just in case I feel like using some serious power...and something that will last me a while.

Ok, Sounds like something I intend to do, except I'd probably be interested in lower budget and gaming. I'll likely to reuse my case, ssd, harddrives, sound card. Maybe i'll keep my 500W FSP BluePower Power supply, but If intend to do CrossfireX with two HD5770 (I'll get them both for about $60 or less) I think I'll likely need stronger power supply

In any case, it's early for predictions due to lack of parts and prices.
One think I do know - I think for me Core I5-2500 is the best value/performance. I don't feel that 4 extra hyper-threaded cores plus, tiny speed bump worth extra $90-100 for the I7-2600

 

[Patrukas777]

Ok, Sounds like something I intend to do, except I'd probably be interested in lower budget and gaming. I'll likely to reuse my case, ssd, harddrives, sound card. Maybe i'll keep my 500W FSP BluePower Power supply, but If intend to do CrossfireX with two HD5770 (I'll get them both for about $60 or less) I think I'll likely need stronger power supply

In any case, it's early for predictions due to lack of parts and prices.
One think I do know - I think for me Core I5-2500 is the best value/performance. I don't feel that 4 extra hyper-threaded cores plus, tiny speed bump worth extra $90-100 for the I7-2600

what do you think about the 6000 series amd video cards? compared to that of the Nvidia 570? I heard they are large. I think the 6970 is 12 inches long and inches wide . If I get something like that, then I might have to get a large case. I wonder how two of those would perform

 

[Patrukas777]

Man, I've been looking through forums to get information on video cards...they have discussions that get a lot more heated than ours, and man is there a huge division. You have the Nvidia fanboys and the AMD fanboys that argue mute points over and over again WOW...

 

[krzywica]

Man, I've been looking through forums to get information on video cards...they have discussions that get a lot more heated than ours, and man is there a huge division. You have the Nvidia fanboys and the AMD fanboys that argue mute points over and over again WOW...

The points are never mute when you get into hard core PC gaming. There is a teeter totter between the games and the hardware that has been going on for the last 15 years. Hardware improves and then they release a game that is too much for even the highest end hardware to handle, then hardware improves and runs the same game easily, then another game comes out....ect. So in this scenario every frame per second counts. Also its important to know what screen resolution you will be running at natively and exactly what games you plan on playing. Some games run better on AMD and some on Nvidia.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

what do you think about the 6000 series amd video cards? compared to that of the Nvidia 570? I heard they are large. I think the 6970 is 12 inches long and inches wide . If I get something like that, then I might have to get a large case. I wonder how two of those would perform

Sorry, missed that post. The balance of best value is constantly changes and currently GT460 has best value at $160. I have currently 4870 512mb card and I plan to switch to dual 5770 as I mentioned before.

About HD6xxx series - I believe they are 5-10% performance increase and 5-10% power efficiency increase over 5xxx series. Nothing major as far as I remember.

If you are a casual gamer, any mid range video card should do the trick, but if want to run Crysis at full hd with 60fps you need to put some money down to get it.

As I mentioned before Tom's give pretty solid advice on solid but still good value stuff:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/build-a-pc-overclock-ssd,2792.html
This will be extremely fast system and it will play crysis at very good speeds and high resolutions (probably not full hd at 60fps thou)

 

[Patrukas777]

The points are never mute when you get into hard core PC gaming. There is a teeter totter between the games and the hardware that has been going on for the last 15 years. Hardware improves and then they release a game that is too much for even the highest end hardware to handle, then hardware improves and runs the same game easily, then another game comes out....ect. So in this scenario every frame per second counts. Also its important to know what screen resolution you will be running at natively and exactly what games you plan on playing. Some games run better on AMD and some on Nvidia.

I agree with most of what you're saying. The arguments that I believe are mute are: the card is cheaper (sometimes 10-20 bucks...who cares- maybe if you only work a part time job), quieter (by 1-2 db..big whoop when within a range o 40 - 42db), better looking (really), or the famous "just because."...just to give few examples. I totally agree with what your saying when it comes to SSA and MSA...CUDA, Physx, Better DirectX 11 tesselation and others. Because some games were built using one cards features.

My research is pointing to the Nvidia 570/580, as opposed to the AMD 6970. If I were to utilize more than 1 monitor, then the 6970 all the way. For gaming the higher-end Nvidia cards seem a little better. Both definitely have their pros and cons.