Suggestions for a new desktop computer

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luismartin

New Member
I need to buy a new desktop computer because my current one is getting too old. It's a 5-6 years old Intel Core2 Quad at 2.5 GHz, 32 bits, RAM is 4 GB, and I'm currently using Windows 7. Due to my profession (I'm a web developer and designer) I need a performance over the average, and this one is lately giving me headaches everyday (running too slow, freezing, forcing me to restart). I've already made many cleaning tasks to improve the Windows 7 performance, but it looks like it can't do any more.

I usually need to have running at once: a programming IDE, a browser or two with many tabs open, and Firebug/Dev Tools, a local web server + a local DB server, and an FTP client. Occasionally I need to use Photoshop, Illustrator or Fireworks. Not to mention other processes and services like a music player (important!), Dropbox, the A/V and firewall, etc. Of course I like videogaming, although I don't need a high end computer just for this.

Even though I also have Ubuntu 12.10 installed, I still need Windows to use the Adobe apps.

A Mac would surely exceed my budget, and I only want to pay for performance, not for design.

Having said this, what main components would you recommend me to get?

CPU
Would you recommend me an I7 CPU? Would an I5 be enough? Which one of all in a model?

Motherboard
Which one?

RAM memory
How much for the requirements I explained above?

HDD/SSD
SSD's are much faster, but they still are very expensive, and as far as I know, their useful life is too short.

Graphics card?
If needed, because I've read the last Intel CPU's include one graphic processor (replacing the one that used to be located in the MoBo chipset).

OS
What about Windows 8. Is it worth the upgrade?

Any suggestion is most welcome.
 
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i5 should be enough. The i7 would allow more to be going on at the same time, but only should the program support HT. 3570k is fine. Push it to 4.4GHz+ and you will have all the power you could need and then a lot more.

motherboard: Gigabyte Z77x-UD3H or above, Asus P8Z77 -v lx or above. MSI GD80. Asrock Fatality series.

RAM: 16GB should be fine. Samsung, or Crucial, or G.Skill, or Geil. Samsung is less intrusive, lower power (as far as watts, not as in performance), cooler running, and easy to get 1866/2133 speeds, and definately the cheapest RAM when you consider $/quality, and very good at $/GB also.

SSD: you are worrying about nothing. Assuming you wront 30GB a Day, which you won't, the drive has a 30 year life span. Though the speed drops over time, you will still far outlast a HDD.
As for if you need one or not, that is your call. I use one, and see little to no difference in windows between my SSD and the 1TB 7200RPM that I was runninig before it. In linux I can feel it (in load times. From GRUB loader to password screen it is at most 2 seconds. Almost instant.). Beyond start times, you get 0 advantage unless you are running another SSD also. (as transfer rates are limited by the HDD or the USB2/3/firewire interface and games load about the same rate).

HDD: WD and Seagate are some of teh best. Right now the WD black 1TB is on sale. Grab it if you can.

GPU: The intel one is fine, but if you want to do any gaming at all, look to a dedicated card. On the low end you have the GTX650ti or HD7750/7770. Or you could grab a used GPU for a decent price too.
 
Hi Luis,
For my webdev needs my system (listed in sig) has never failed me.
Quad core processor with a bit of an overclock, 16gb ram (8 was really enough) and as i'm sure you know lots of hard drive space for saving countless drafts, tons of graphics and customer photography/video.
I am very happy with the OCZ Vertex 4, which I run Windows, Office, Photoshop/Illustrator off and save files im working on before archiving to harddrives and backing up to nas.
I've used Windows 8, but not on my main work machine. Nothing really wrong with it, and it is fast, but I like my startmenu the way it is.
The only thing I find I could use is a third display (ideally 1 for email, one for code, one for web browser), so I'm thinking of changing to an AMD Radeon video card.
 
Hey wolfeking, websitesdirect! Thanks for your replies!

wolfeking: That GPU was just the one I was thinking of, well, not exactly, the GTX650 (no ti). It is listed as one of the top selling, or most recommended. I don't know if it worth paying the difference (I saw around 40 € -> about 53 $).

I will get the Intel Core I5 3570k you suggested, or the 3550 which I've seen is a little better (3.7GHZ whereas the former runs at 3.2GHZ) and just 14€ more expensive.

The SSD is definitely discarded considering what you said about the insignificant performace difference between your SSD and your HDD.

I've always been adviced to buy Asus motherboards, which are better than Gigabyte, and never ever buy Asrock, but maybe I'm wrong.

websitesdirect: that SSD costs 118 € (157 $) for only 128GB. It really hurts just thinking on it :eek: :). If there isn't any affordable HDD with close performance, I will consider buying an SSD.

I currently use two displays. IMO using three would be two much LOL.

As for the OS, I will stick to Windows 7 for now.

Well, any other suggestion would be appreciated.

Regards!
 
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The 650ti is about as low as you want to go. 10% less than horrible is not very good. And that is about what the 650ti rates at games.

the 3570k is actually a far better processor. You are looking at stock specs. Pump the 3570k up to 4.4GHz and you will not be able to touch it with the 3550.

SSD, it is practically useless once the system is booted.

Asus and Gigabyte are both about equal. Gigabyte is generally a tad better for the money though. Either is fine. ASrock, they only have one set of decent boards, the Fatality series.

Might I ask why you want to stay with windows 7?
 
You mean 650ti is horrible and 650 10% less than horrible?? Nice! :D Well, I like playing videogames on PC, but not the likes of Modern Warfare, GTA and so. I prefer using my PS3 for that (yes, I know a high end PC will beat any console, but I prefer it this way :P). My PC games use to be strategy and simulation (I'm eager to get SimCity 5!).

I'll seriously take your advice on the CPU. But I've never overclocked a computer. Yes, it's true. I've always seen it too threatening. :eek:

Well, regarding Windows, 7 or 8, well, I didn't realize that I will need a new 64 bits OS. Mine is 32 bits. So, if I have to spend more money on this and Windows 8 is far more recommendable, I take it.
 
That is what I was saying. Don't get me wrong, it is a decent card and has a place. But games are not its place. and the 650 is 10% or maybe more worse than the ti edition.

Sad that you don't wan to play MW on it. The entire series could be maxxed out @ 1080p with a GTX650. It's not a difficult game to run. But the 650ti will be better on strategy and simulation than the 650 will.

Just take your time and read up on it and you will not be able to screw it up.

You will need a 64bit OS and a new key to go with it. Get windows 8 now, not windows 7. If you like the look of 7 then there is classic shell and start8 to make it look like 7. Other than that 8 has a completely new core, which means it is faster and lighter, while being more reliable. Right now, it is not logical to buy windows 7.
 
ok wolfeking. Finally the 650ti is the first on my list, and I will get Windows 8 with start8. As long as I don't use touchscreens for my desktop pc I'm sure I will prefer the classic view.

Thanks a lot for your help! :good:
 
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