Computer selection - please advice

[Western]

I also built my own, not hard as long as you get parts that work together.

I would recommend asking the same question on the forums here ,http://hardforum.com/.

Not that what you get here is not excellent advice, but theses guys are to PC and gadgets like some of guy's here are with machinery.

 

[ArtMech]

I also built my own, not hard as long as you get parts that work together.

I've got a small kick today. The professional (!?) receptionist of a shop, which is building custom computers, to my question about blu-ray burner installation answered, it's a dying technology. But if I wish, they can add. :shocked::shocked:

 

[aczlan]

I've got a small kick today. The professional (!?) receptionist of a shop, which is building custom computers, to my question about blu-ray burner installation answered, it's a dying technology. But if I wish, they can add. :shocked::shocked:

Odd, what do they say will replace it?
I can see it being replaced by streaming movies, but haven't heard of another technology to replace it (well perhaps a new version that stores more data per DVD, but that's it).

Aaron Z

 

[ArtMech]

Odd, what do they say will replace it?
I can see it being replaced by streaming movies, but haven't heard of another technology to replace it (well perhaps a new version that stores more data per DVD, but that's it).

Aaron Z

He said nothing about any replacement. But I think the computers with Blu-ray are simply just late to come here.

 

[Western]

I've got a small kick today. The professional (!?) receptionist of a shop, which is building custom computers, to my question about blu-ray burner installation answered, it's a dying technology. But if I wish, they can add. :shocked::shocked:

From what I've been told, it is because of the buying market. Blueray didn't take off like I guess they thought it would, most users simply have kept using the plain DVD format.

 

[aczlan]

From what I've been told, it is because of the buying market. Blueray didn't take off like I guess they thought it would, most users simply have kept using the plain DVD format.

I see several reasons for that:
1. Blueray is an extra $20-50 on most computers
2. Most people dont need to burn much more than 4.7GB of data
3. Not a lot of blueray players out there, so if you want to burn something to send to a friend, you need to burn a DVD in most cases

I see more new computers (especially laptops) with blueray, so I suspect that it is reaching critical mass.

Aaron Z

 

[Western]

Aaron that is true, even the laptop market has shrunk with all the tablets and smart phone capabilities now. I still use a "dumb" phone though:laughing: Hard for me to rationalize $29 a month for data, when I can use my power house desktop at home and my laptop on the road if need be.

 

[dmccarty]

I haven't found any description about possibility to attach BD burner to a desktop locally. Except that link gotten from you on Newegg.com. Here they say this is a very new technology. It's available only as a stacionary expensive media version. How would I know if I'll be able to attach it to my new computer?

The BD players/burners use standard SATA connections for internal devices. The technology is not that new. It has been around for years but maybe they just don't stock the players/readers for some reason.

External BD players/burners use USB 2.0/3.0, Newegg.com - usb bd burner so you could always get one in the future.

You would want a BD player to play the latest BD movies. A BD writer is good if you want to back up large amounts of data. In my case, a DVD simply does not provide anywhere near the storage space I need. Even a 25 GB BD disc is on the small size of my needs. BD players support DVD and CD read/write formats.

The BD player would give you the most flexibility since it supports BD, DVD, and CD formats. The BD media can be expensive but the price has dropped in the last year or so in the US. The price has dropped enough for me to buy a BD writer to use to backup my data. Currently I am using external USB drives for backup. I will still use the external drives but the BD's give me a better offsite backup option.

Later,
Dan

 

[ArtMech]

Name: MAGNUM I5-3470/16/1TB/GTX660/NOD32 (locally assembled)

Tactical frequency: 3200 MHz
Installation: NOD32 installed
Operational memory: 16384 MB
Processor: Core I5-3470
Video device: GeForce GTX660
HD space: 1000 GB
HD speed: 7200 rpm
Connections: 2xUSB 3.0 , 6XUSB 2.0 , Audio Input , Audio Output , DVI , HDMI , LAN
Frequency: 1600 MHz
Video device memory: 2048 MB
Optical: DVD±RW
Card reader: 1
Memory type: DDR3
Warranty: 2 yrs.

Local price: $1012

So, I'm about to make a deal on that 3rd version. The only doubts are of the processor i5-3470. :confused2: Better could be i7-3770 and 8GB Memory, but they took me...

My Wife surprised me today saying she has special coupons of the shop ("Topo Centras" just info) which gives us 10% discount, so total price in USD is $911. Tomorrow is the last day of the circulation of those coupons, so the time remaining is 1 night and day. I would have to pay full price for the first 2 versions, 'cause they are from the different shops. For the W7 I'll pay additionally.

Salesman confirmed this desktop has SATA connection so I could replace the DVD±RW into BD (both players/writers) at any time I wish and I already know BD supports DVD and CD. When I showed them the components on the Newegg.com, they say the prices here are double of those in the USA.
As I've written in one of above replies we also have local BD media players on the market, but very expensive:Paie

If anyone of you guys will stop me saying 'better think twice', I'll stop. :laughing:

 

[aczlan]

So, I'm about to make a deal on that 3rd version. The only doubts are of the processor i5-3470. :confused2: Better could be i7-3770 and 8GB Memory, but they took me...

My Wife surprised me today saying she has special coupons of the shop ("Topo Centras" just info) which gives us 10% discount, so total price in USD is $911. Tomorrow is the last day of the circulation of those coupons, so the time remaining is 1 night and day. I would have to pay full price for the first 2 versions, 'cause they are from the different shops. For the W7 I'll pay additionally.

Salesman confirmed this desktop has SATA connection so I could replace the DVD±RW into BD (both players/writers) at any time I wish and I already know BD supports DVD and CD. When I showed them the components on the Newegg.com, they say the prices here are double of those in the USA.
As I've written in one of above replies we also have local BD media players on the market, but very expensive:Paie

If anyone of you guys will stop me saying 'better think twice', I'll stop. :laughing:

Looks like a decent deal to me.

Aaron Z

 

[Western]

I'm pretty sure most newer good motherboards gave E-SATA and SATA connections.

I think the i7 will have more processing power, (numbers crunching) I have the i5 in the one I built, works great for video with the setup I have, but would fall short compared to the i7 when doing allot of hard numbers.

 

[Fossil Farm]

If you are going to use Autodesk AutoCAD and/or GIS files (.sid files), the i7 processor and as much RAM as you can afford will last you for awhile. AutoCAD claims it does not require a heavy duty processor, but that is only if you are drawing a couple straight lines. A large drawing, computing angles and GIS vectors can slow down older computer chips to a crawl. Many of the GIS sid files are over 1 GB in size. I have a USB 3.0 Blu-ray and works very well. I put an eSATA board in another computer and it also works well with external SATA hard drives. Seems like many of the cookie cutter computers do not come standard with eSATA connectors now that USB 3.0 is available. If you can afford the i7 and extra RAM, get it now instead of trying to upgrade it at a later date. Also, be sure you have software that will write to DVD and/or Blu-ray, as Windows typically will not write to those devices out of the box in most cases. Good luck.

 

[aczlan]

Also, be sure you have software that will write to DVD and/or Blu-ray, as Windows typically will not write to those devices out of the box in most cases

For data, Windows 7 will burn to either. If you want something a little fancier, IMGBurn is a great (free) program to burn data discs.

Aaron Z

 

[ArtMech]

I'm pretty sure most newer good motherboards gave E-SATA and SATA connections.

I think the i7 will have more processing power, (numbers crunching) I have the i5 in the one I built, works great for video with the setup I have, but would fall short compared to the i7 when doing allot of hard numbers.

Ookaaay! Still have a few hours to go on that deal or to refuse. i7 :drool: !

 

[Western]

Oh, I forgot to mention this web site, based in the UK, they may even have better references there also, TechRadar | Technology News And Reviews . I have read several reviews they have done and they are often referred to by US Tech forums.

Here is a good article on the difference between i5 and i7.
Comparing Intel Core i5 vs i7 | PCMag.com

 

[dmccarty]

Ookaaay! Still have a few hours to go on that deal or to refuse. i7 :drool: !

Since I am spending YOUR money, :laughing::laughing::laughing:, buy the i7.

i5 vs i7 is going to depend on the complexity of the AutoCADD drawings and money. My CADD program works perfectly well with even older systems I have but the software is no where near as complicated as AutoCADD. I would be inclined to buy the i7 but it depends on the price. CPU's can have some strange price points. I am looking at buying a laptop and the cost to go from an i7 3630QM 3.4 CPU to an i7 3940 XM 3.8 CPU is $835!

My realistic choice is to move up to a i7 3520M 3.6 CPU for $50 or an i7 3740QM 3.7 CPU for $85. I am likely to spend the $85. There is a another CPU for $285 for an i7 3840QM 3.8 CPU but I ain't buying that CPU either. :laughing:

I have been planning to build a new desktop system but I think I will end up getting a laptop. I need a BD writer for backups so I will get an external USB BD device unless I build a NAS in which case I can buy an internal writer.

I like spending YOUR money but I sure do not like spending MY money! :laughing::laughing::laughing:

Later,
Dan

 

[coloradotrout]

I'd start with an Intel i3 or i5. At those lower end cpu's I've heard those are the better choices. A laptop might be handy -- depends on what you are doing. But you can take it from the shop, to breakfast table, to bathroom if you need. An i3 will run sketchup, do email, run Excel, and browse the net ( I use Chrome). I don't like win8 -- hate it in fact. But if you get it, and don't like the wizbang user interface, you can download 'classic shell' and get your start menu back. I say this because you may find that win8 comes installed and you have no choice. I don't think one brand has a big advantage over another. I have heard good things about Asus. I bought my daughter a HP, which seems decent. I have a Toshiba and older Lenovo. My son has an Acer. The old Lenova has the best keyboard -- but the newer ones are probably not as good. We test drove an Asus. I liked the keyboard, but the HP had the i3 for just a bit more $. The HP's keyboard is better than the Acer.

I'd probably look for best price on an i3 or i5. Then shoot for the Asus, HP, Dell, Lenovo, and last Acer. Our i3 HP was $380 I think. 4GB RAM, 500 GB disk. I'd buy a cheap external disk also -- and then backup the important stuff. Try to get one that has space for 8GB RAM if possible. But that depends... I figure the i3 will last us at minimum 3 years -- more likely 5 -- and possibly 7.

If you are going to get a desktop -- those can be pretty cheap also. And you already have the keyboard, mouse, and display (or will have). Then you can just focus on the CPU really. The laptops are handy.. but more flimsy.. so if you are hard on things, consider that.

I look for where there is a big price drop-off. Right now that seems to be the i3 or i5. You go above that you and you are paying for the privilege to own newer technology. I let those who need it pay for it, and I take the sweepings that give me all I need at sub $500 prices. My 2 cents.

PS -- but I don't use Autocad. And I don't do anything graphics intense. I find sketchup is all I need -- and more -- and runs fast on the i3, or in fact, older CPUs.

 

[ArtMech]

Since I am spending YOUR money, :laughing::laughing::laughing:, buy the i7.

Later,
Dan

And you've done that. :shocked: Today's deal is c a n c e l l e d !!! I've lost 3% of discount of mentioned coupons.
That shop (Topo Centras) told they have already ordered on stock new computers with the same configuration but with i7 processors which will arrive next week. To my question about loss of coupons they answered, OK, they'll leave me 7% to keep up my (client's) loyalty.
Indeed I will lose more, 'cause that bloody i7 will be pretty costly. :fan: :mur:
So you're really good my money spender... :muttering:

 

[Western]

Indeed I will loose more, 'cause that bloody i7 will be pretty costly. :fan: :mur:
:muttering:

\
Money well spent by "DAN" too For what you're doing, you may be glad you spent the extra vs wishing you'd done it.

 

[ArtMech]

Oh, I forgot to mention this web site, based in the UK, they may even have better references there also, TechRadar | Technology News And Reviews . I have read several reviews they have done and they are often referred to by US Tech forums.

Here is a good article on the difference between i5 and i7.
Comparing Intel Core i5 vs i7 | PCMag.com

Really good article in simple explanation and useful UK link :reading: Thanks.