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.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

After a career of buying Windows machines of varying brands, I chewed off my leash and bought a mac.

Have never looked back.

Have never missed windows - though I tried running windows on my Mac and it ran faster.

Have never had a virus.

Have never run virus software.

Have never had a failed update.

Have never reinstalled a driver.

It simply works.

[Paul R.]

BOTH!

(And if you don’t stay well grounded physically, you’re really gonna need the spiritually.) ;-)

[KC Burke]

Don’t mean to butt in but do you recommend a Video Card for Laz’s applications? I read that everyone is considering a workhorse video card a must for the future and your opinion would give me insight as well.

Thanks.

[KEVLAR]

I just finished building one:

AMD 12 core Ryzen
64 GB ram
Crucial T700 SSD 1 TB

The thing screams.

[Chickensoup]

I miss my Sony Viao more than I can say

I have liked both ASUS I have owned

I have liked both Acers I have owned only not quite so much

[Chickensoup]

Where is the picture of the components in the aquarium that someone used to post on these threads??

[zeugma]

Probably but I don't barely trust myself to put gas in cars.

It is actually easier than you think. The case and motherboard can be the most important parts. It is really more like assembling a jigsaw puzzle than you'd think if you just want the basics and are not interested in overclocking and stuff like that.

[Political Junkie Too]

Check out the Dell Alienware line.

I think you're looking for a desktop computer (not laptop) since you mentioned your own monitors.

I priced their Alienware R16 with the following configuration:

• 2 Tb SSD
• 32 GB DDR5
• Intel® Core™ i7 14700F (I know you wanted AMD, but the i7 has been out for awhile
• Windows 11 Home
• NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4060 GPU
• Configured price: $1,599.99

I have an older Alienware m17 r4 laptop, and I love it.

-PJ

[yldstrk]

Ipad with a keyboard case is good for that.

[usconservative]

It is really more like assembling a jigsaw puzzle than you'd think if you just want the basics and are not interested in overclocking and stuff like that.

🎯

[usconservative]

Don’t mean to butt in but do you recommend a Video Card for Laz’s applications? I read that everyone is considering a workhorse video card a must for the future and your opinion would give me insight as well.

Dammit man! I wasn't gonna recommend a video card, it was my super-secret plan to keep him off FR for awhile until he figured out why he couldn't see anything on his monitors! You've ruined my plan! Curses, foiled again!

[usconservative]

Laz, I don't know what games you play on the 'puter and what the screen refresh rates you need are, so here's the Toms Hardware Guide list of best rated graphics cards.

Personally my AI machine has a GeForce RTX 4070 which is fine for what I'm doing (AI, Virtualization, Media Creation, basic compute work and driving a big, widescreen 4k monitor.)

The rest of my machines have GeForce GTX 1060's in them which is a lower end card (not on the Tom's Hardware Guide) that's just fine for mild gaming, virtualization, media creation etc.. Not the fastest card in the world, it's fine for my Linux workstations and gives me a nice, clear, easy to read screen at 144hz on 4k 32" curved monitors.

BTW: All the machines in my house are AMD. Oldest one is an FX-8350 Bulldozer that's 14 years old, still runs like a champ and is a linux backup machine.

Newest one is an AMD Ryzen 9 5950X (16 core, 32 thread unlocked) with 64Gb Memory and an SSD RAID Array for max throughput to disk.

The other three are all AMD also of various models. I'm on my AMD 2700X now (8 cores, 3.8Ghz, overclocks to 4.2 stable) and the other two are powered off, don't remember what they are anymore(hardly use 'em)

[MayflowerMadam]

Thanks for the tip. I think ipad is Apple ...? Will check it out.

[minnesota_bound]

Look at the best parts then look at other less expensive ones and then see if spending $500 more is worth the split second difference in performance.

Place to check out.

List of computer parts
https://pcpartpicker.com

[minnesota_bound]

Find a part then go to Amazon.

Newegg Scammed Us
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fnXsmXzphI

[Political Junkie Too]

Here are some more articles on the Intel chip problem.

The Verge: There is no fix for Intel’s crashing 13th and 14th Gen CPUs — any damage is permanent

Reddit: Megathread for Intel Core 13th & 14th Gen CPU instability issues

Puget Systems: Puget Systems’ Perspective on Intel CPU Instability Issues

-PJ