best desktop

glitterwings007 · 02-26-2006, 01:37 AM

Hi,
So I'm interested in purchasing a new desktop (I currently have a laptop) that is DECENT! What I'm looking for is something that will run fast, so I know I'll need a good processor and RAM, something with a lot of memory and good graphics card. What I want it for, is graphic and web design. I know Macs are supposed to be really good with that, but I'm used to PC's and all my software is for PC's, so I'd like to sick with PC's for now. I'm just trying to get suggestions as to what model of computer people think would be best for graphic and web design, and on a side note I play Sims a lot so it has to support that too! Any suggestions would be welcome! I also don't have the biggest budget in the world... I'm looking at 1k to 2k max. Thanks for your suggestions!

T_Rex · 03-02-2006, 07:15 AM

Hi there,

If you are looking for a very good well built - solid pre-built machine i would heartily recommend Velocity Micro Gamers Edge here. They have really good service after the sale. It comes with a 6800GS PCIe graphics card, but if your gaming needs are less stringent you could always downgrade to a 6600GT and save even more money. The system as already configured there is about $1500.00 (with the 6800GS).

buckleytech · 03-14-2006, 09:57 PM

The best bang for your buck depends on not what you need now, but what you will need in the future. If you are looking to get a quick, out-of-the-box, high performer, and to heck with down the road, get a Dell. If you want to have something a little more flexible, and upgradeable in the future- look to a local custom builder, or just throw your own machine together. No matter what you do, here's what I would keep in mind.

Graphics and Video: You're looking at HUGE files when doing video. The most important thing you need to look at is the drive speed. This is more important than a graphics card. The graphics card is the focus when you are looking for 3D rendering to the screen. The way modern games eat up graphics card processor time, most standard cards are good enough to playback whatever the average user throws at it. Don't go and spend $800 on a graphics card-

If you decide to go with a manufactured system:

Buy your Dell from the Small Business division, you have much more flexibility with regard to pricing and configuration. The 3100 and up have SATA drives, which are a must. I'd probably stick with the lowest model number available with the options you want. That way you avoid paying the "model number premium"

If you decide to go with a custom or self built system:

Get the best drive performance available by going with two identical, high RPM drives in a RAID 0 or 1 configuration. Most good motherboards support this- speaking of which- don't skimp on the motherboard. It is by far the most important component in the system. If everything is connected to the motherboard (which it is) you don't want it to be the weak (or slow) link. If you can spend a little more on a motherboard that supports 4 times the memory you plan to install, you've at least got room to grow. I really like to sell systems with the boards that support the Celeron, P4, and Pentium D Extreme lines. You can throw a $125 CPU in it, and when the time comes for an upgrade- that same $125 will buy you a CPU that currently runs $1200. If you go custom, you know every component is standardized, so you have a ton of upgradeability.

If you have any more questions, feel free to send me an e-mail- It's a big part of my business, so I like to keep pretty up to date with things. There are a ton of extra considerations if you are building your own, (case, PS, etc.) so do a ton of research. You'll be much happier with the end result, and will learn alot of info that you will reuse again and again.

02-26-2006, 01:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
glitterwings007 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 4 OS: Win XP	best desktop Hi, So I'm interested in purchasing a new desktop (I currently have a laptop) that is DECENT! What I'm looking for is something that will run fast, so I know I'll need a good processor and RAM, something with a lot of memory and good graphics card. What I want it for, is graphic and web design. I know Macs are supposed to be really good with that, but I'm used to PC's and all my software is for PC's, so I'd like to sick with PC's for now. I'm just trying to get suggestions as to what model of computer people think would be best for graphic and web design, and on a side note I play Sims a lot so it has to support that too! Any suggestions would be welcome! I also don't have the biggest budget in the world... I'm looking at 1k to 2k max. Thanks for your suggestions!

03-02-2006, 07:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
T_Rex Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 305 OS: XP Professional	Hi there, If you are looking for a very good well built - solid pre-built machine i would heartily recommend Velocity Micro Gamers Edge here. They have really good service after the sale. It comes with a 6800GS PCIe graphics card, but if your gaming needs are less stringent you could always downgrade to a 6600GT and save even more money. The system as already configured there is about $1500.00 (with the 6800GS). Last edited by T_Rex : 03-02-2006 at 07:17 AM.

03-14-2006, 09:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
buckleytech Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 10 OS: One of each Win/*ix	Bang for the buck. The best bang for your buck depends on not what you need now, but what you will need in the future. If you are looking to get a quick, out-of-the-box, high performer, and to heck with down the road, get a Dell. If you want to have something a little more flexible, and upgradeable in the future- look to a local custom builder, or just throw your own machine together. No matter what you do, here's what I would keep in mind. Graphics and Video: You're looking at HUGE files when doing video. The most important thing you need to look at is the drive speed. This is more important than a graphics card. The graphics card is the focus when you are looking for 3D rendering to the screen. The way modern games eat up graphics card processor time, most standard cards are good enough to playback whatever the average user throws at it. Don't go and spend $800 on a graphics card- If you decide to go with a manufactured system: Buy your Dell from the Small Business division, you have much more flexibility with regard to pricing and configuration. The 3100 and up have SATA drives, which are a must. I'd probably stick with the lowest model number available with the options you want. That way you avoid paying the "model number premium" If you decide to go with a custom or self built system: Get the best drive performance available by going with two identical, high RPM drives in a RAID 0 or 1 configuration. Most good motherboards support this- speaking of which- don't skimp on the motherboard. It is by far the most important component in the system. If everything is connected to the motherboard (which it is) you don't want it to be the weak (or slow) link. If you can spend a little more on a motherboard that supports 4 times the memory you plan to install, you've at least got room to grow. I really like to sell systems with the boards that support the Celeron, P4, and Pentium D Extreme lines. You can throw a $125 CPU in it, and when the time comes for an upgrade- that same $125 will buy you a CPU that currently runs $1200. If you go custom, you know every component is standardized, so you have a ton of upgradeability. If you have any more questions, feel free to send me an e-mail- It's a big part of my business, so I like to keep pretty up to date with things. There are a ton of extra considerations if you are building your own, (case, PS, etc.) so do a ton of research. You'll be much happier with the end result, and will learn alot of info that you will reuse again and again.