VANITY - New Computer Recommendations?

Question | 8/02/2024 | By Laz A. Mataz

[Lazamataz]

Hey folks. My current computer, while relatively new at about 18 months, has been problematic since purchase. Since it was only a lateral move in performance, I'd like to upgrade to a new machine, a problem-free one.

These are the specifications I am looking for:

• Not Intel-based. I hear Intel is having major problems with their chips lately, and that the chips are simply frying outright. Maybe that is only for a certain set of chips, so I could be convinced to return to Intel, but I'm leaning towards AMD or other mainstream chipsets.
• I'd like it optimized for gaming and computer application development, and to a much lesser extent, media creation.
• At least a 1 TB SSD primary drive. 2 TB would be even better, but 1 would suffice.
• Wouldn't mind 32G of memory but I can throw that in later.
• Monitor unnecessary. I have 2 good ones.
• No need for secondary drives, I have a bunch of those I can hang off the new machine.
• I can afford about $1700 or so after taxes.

I'd like to hear my fellow FReeper recommendations! Lenovo seems to be a decent brand and seems to gravitate towards AMD. I'm not a big fan of HP (this current problematic machine is HP, AMD Ryzen 5) but I can be convinced.

[Lazamataz]

Can only recommend avoiding Dell

HP is also crap.

[ShadowAce]

Windows, icons, mouse, pull-down menus (the so-called WIMP interface) were by apple and appropriated by Msoft,...

Actually, Xerox created the GUI. Both Apple and MS appropriated it.

[Lazamataz]

Staying off Intel until they fix their problems...

[Lazamataz]

Thanks bro. However I need someone who can recommend the parts. Way too many choices for a hardware-ignorant guy like myself.

[joe fonebone]

Like my 4 year old granddaughter says to me...
You can do it gampa....

[Arlis]

Ditto.

Get a Mac. Ran an IT company on Windows machines til 2000, on Mac ever since.

NO PROBLEMS.

NEVER.

[libertylover]

Not for me. I had a Mac once and I HATED it!

[Tell It Right]

I was happy with the price and throughput of HP laptops with the past 2 I bought, including the one I still use that's 3 years old. 64 GB RAM (3,200 MHz clock speed) with 4-core 2.8 GHz CPU and 1TB SSD. Basically a gamer's laptop but without the enhanced video processing.

I run a MS SQL Server Express DB engine on it while smoothly doing normal things on it like compiling code in Visual Studio or using it for presentations in church.

I don't know about current prices, but the last 2 times I bought a laptop, HP was the best price for horsepower.

[butlerweave]

I just bought an HP Victus 15.6” Gaming Laptop -Mica Silver (AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS/512GB SSD/8GB RAM/GeForce RTX 2050/Win 11) at Bestbuy , I can upgrade the memory and SSD from what I have at home but the reason I bought it is because I got it for about half price and it does what I want it to do ,LOL

[usconservative]

MSI X670E Mag Tomahawk WIFI AMD AM5 ATX Motherboard $249
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D Raphael AM5 4.2GHz, 8 Cores (16 threads) $349
G.Skill Flare X5 Series 32GB DDR5-6000 PC5-4800 Dual Channel Memory ($109)
Lian Li Galahad II LCD 280mm Water Cooling Kit $149
ASUS TUF Gaming 1000 Watt 80 Plus Gold ATX Fully Modular Power Supply - ATX 3.0 Compatible $149

Haven't said if you need a case yet ...

[rdcbn1]

If your particular AI application can take advantage of specialized coprocessor it is probably best to get computer from non retail vendor who can help select the appropriate coprocessor ( your AI software supplier should have recommended hardware and drivers) and integrate it into a nice system

Kind of like building a gamer computer system and many of the system components are the same.

This is also the most cost effective solution

[usconservative]

If intending to run AI locally, you need at least 32G memory (and that’s for the smallest model).

And a beefy GPU (Video Card) with at least 8GB of memory. $$$$$

[Paul R.]

$1700 seems like a LOT for such modest requirements, unless you need a high end dedicated graphics card or a pretty high end CPU? But, then again, I buy refurbs and (sometimes) spruce them up a bit with more RAM, maybe a 500 GB primary SSD and secondary 500 GB or 1 TB SSD for data. (I’ve never actually needed more than 250GB as a primary SSD, though I’ve often gone with or upgraded to 500 GB for added reliability / life.) My latest machines have NVME SSD’s as the primary drive. And I do need a USB-C expansion card in my latest machine (not yet in full use).

Unfortunately, I have not a clue as to which current CPU’s and MB’s are most reliable. The old(er) Win 10 machine I’m on right now is “only” a i7-6700 CPU @ 3.40GHz but with 32 GB of RAM and a SATA primary SSD — more than capable enough for anything I do except running Win 11, but it has recently developed “weird” CPU freeze-up issues (once every couple weeks or so, even under modest use). I’ve blown out the dust (wasn’t bad), so that’s not the problem. This sort of problem is new to me (under modest use.) Gotta get that new Win 11 desktop fleshed out...

[RoadieFan]

I am assuming you want to stay with Windows. I purchased a Digital Storm gaming machine 4 plus years ago, it still rocks. They have AMD and Intel options. the Intel chips i would stay away from are the new 9 options and the higher speed 7 options. The mid and lower range 7 processors are pretty decent. You will pay more for equal performance for AMD.

Digital storm also offers liquid cooling options. I highly recommend that. You can get a pretty decent machine from them for $1700.

My workhorse computer is an M1 Macbook air. Best machine i have ever owned. It’s fast, I can use it all day on a charge, and I rarely ever restart it. It’s 5 years old this Fall.

[RayChuang88]

Stay away from Intel for now.

I'd recommend a machine running the AMD Ryzen 8 CPU/chipset.

[Lazamataz]

Yes on case need. Thanks for the very specific list! Scared to put parts together myself though. One bit of stray static and I’m screwed. Ideas on that?

[usconservative]

As you know I’m a “build it yourself” guy. You can build a MUCH better system sourcing your own parts, checking compatability and actually BUYING A BETTER COMPUTER than you’ll ever get at Best Buy or some online place that sells already built systems. I’ve been building my own since the 80’s. Never built a bad one yet.

[Paul R.]

Just what ARE the requirements for gaming in 2024? For which type gaming? Reading more of the thread, this appears to be way over what my daughter is in to. I’m not a gamer at all — way, way too busy for that.

[Paul R.]

Stay well grounded. ;-)

(I’ve spent a lot of time inside computer cases, but am not really a hardware expert.)

[KYGrandma]

Both my son and my oldest granddaughter just built themselves new computers. I would love a desktop, but will probably out live the HP laptop I got last year. LOL