The Bobcat Nation

First off I just want to say over the past 10-12 years I have personally bought close to 20+ computer systems. Most of which were built per my order and spec's. I have also personally installed/replaced hard drives, cd burners, video cards, new fans and upgraded mother boards. While I am not a computer expert I am not a novice either. My problem arise now that I have not purchased a a computer in about 18 months and now that I looking to buy a home/office computer I am baffled on how to compare processor speeds from brand to brand. It used to be you could look at the GHz. The last computer I bought was a 1.8 GHz. Dell. Now some of the computers I have looked at you see "Pentium 4" and a variety of numbers after them (3200 is popular=3.2 GHz?) or athlon (sp?) 6800. Can anyone point me somewhere to re-educate myself (in 10 pages or less) on the do's and don't of computer processor buying.

BTW much of what I would use the thing for would be graphics intensive schtuff. AutoCAD, web design etc..

mslacat wrote:First off I just want to say over the past 10-12 years I have personally bought close to 20+ computer systems. Most of which were built per my order and spec's. I have also personally installed/replaced hard drives, cd burners, video cards, new fans and upgraded mother boards. While I am not a computer expert I am not a novice either. My problem arise now that I have not purchased a a computer in about 18 months and now that I looking to buy a home/office computer I am baffled on how to compare processor speeds from brand to brand. It used to be you could look at the GHz. The last computer I bought was a 1.8 GHz. Dell. Now some of the computers I have looked at you see "Pentium 4" and a variety of numbers after them (3200 is popular=3.2 GHz?) or athlon (sp?) 6800. Can anyone point me somewhere to re-educate myself (in 10 pages or less) on the do's and don't of computer processor buying.

BTW much of what I would use the thing for would be graphics intensive schtuff. AutoCAD, web design etc..

the athlon speed numbers are how they would copaire to a comprible pentium....sheer marketing. to be honest with you this is comming from a guy who ran amds since 1998.

www.amd.com

if you want somthing that can do autocad ...shudders before typing what he is about to type... you can never go wrong with apple. apples have always been good for graphics, adn they are also quite tasty

but if you want to go for the the best bang for your buck the amd athlon 64 is a good processor, i run a amd64 3000 + and it has been very good to me, not to mention sweet *motherbord + 1 gig ram + case ran me under 600 bucks*

I've been running AMDs for quite awhile as well. 3200 clocks around 2.7/2.8 I would guess, but the 64 bit processor more than makes up for that.

CelticCat wrote:I've been running AMDs for quite awhile as well. 3200 clocks around 2.7/2.8 I would guess, but the 64 bit processor more than makes up for that.

i found out over the weekend my 500 dollar laptop has a 64 bit processor

Hell's Bells wrote:

CelticCat wrote:I've been running AMDs for quite awhile as well. 3200 clocks around 2.7/2.8 I would guess, but the 64 bit processor more than makes up for that.

i found out over the weekend my 500 dollar laptop has a 64 bit processor

Yes, but no software to take advantage of it.

MSLA--just stick with Macs, far fewer stability issues and far greater security. But then again, you probably already know that.

'93HonoluluCat wrote:

Hell's Bells wrote:

CelticCat wrote:I've been running AMDs for quite awhile as well. 3200 clocks around 2.7/2.8 I would guess, but the 64 bit processor more than makes up for that.

i found out over the weekend my 500 dollar laptop has a 64 bit processor

Yes, but no software to take advantage of it.

MSLA--just stick with Macs, far fewer stability issues and far greater security. But then again, you probably already know that.

in 1/2 a year i will be able to get windows xp which will take advantage of 64 bit processing

I love macs, I'd own one if I wasn't such a computer gamer.

AMD Athlon 64 bit is the way to go. Hella fast. To answer your question Mslacat, yes the 1800 or 3000 means 1.8 or 3.0 Ghz proccessor speed.

HB wrote:in 1/2 a year i will be able to get windows xp which will take advantage of 64 bit processing

Actually Windows XP isn't a 64-bit OS...it's only 32-bit. If you want a 64-bit OS, you'll have to wait until...umm...whenever Windows "Vista" is released.

Hell's Bells wrote:

'93HonoluluCat wrote:

Hell's Bells wrote:

CelticCat wrote:I've been running AMDs for quite awhile as well. 3200 clocks around 2.7/2.8 I would guess, but the 64 bit processor more than makes up for that.

i found out over the weekend my 500 dollar laptop has a 64 bit processor

Yes, but no software to take advantage of it.

MSLA--just stick with Macs, far fewer stability issues and far greater security. But then again, you probably already know that.

in 1/2 a year i will be able to get windows xp which will take advantage of 64 bit processing

Invest in an AMD Athlon 64. Thats what I'm running.

one more question:
The majority of my computers were custom built locally. Now that company is no longer around. Buying a pre packageed (or almost pre packaged) unit you seem to get a very good bang for your buck. What do you guys think of ordering from a Dell, Hp, Gateway, vrs buying from a Best Buy, or CostCo, vrs finding someone local to build the system (if they do exist any more).

My friend owned a Gateway, and when he wanted to upgrade his processor, he found out that Gateway had this special modified motherboard so that he couldn't upgrade unless he bought directly from Gateway. I had a Dell and it worked fine, but I'm all about customization now.

I would say Dell is probably the best of companies, just my opinion.

mslacat wrote:one more question:
The majority of my computers were custom built locally. Now that company is no longer around. Buying a pre packageed (or almost pre packaged) unit you seem to get a very good bang for your buck. What do you guys think of ordering from a Dell, Hp, Gateway, vrs buying from a Best Buy, or CostCo, vrs finding someone local to build the system (if they do exist any more).

honestly i almost bet that would be a good idea for anyone but i would first check to see how much processor you need before deciding what you want to by

then goto www.hp.com

thats where i got my laptop and its been very good to me

For parts you can't really beat www.newegg.com

Pricewatch can be the cheapest sometimes, but usually not if at all any cheaper than newegg, and newegg has great customer service and they replace most things without question. I've bought nearly every part of my computer from newegg, they are key.

'93HonoluluCat wrote:

HB wrote:in 1/2 a year i will be able to get windows xp which will take advantage of 64 bit processing

Actually Windows XP isn't a 64-bit OS...it's only 32-bit. If you want a 64-bit OS, you'll have to wait until...umm...whenever Windows "Vista" is released.

Correction: To my knowledge, Windows has released an XP version that is 64-bit. I know because I was stupid and bought the 32 bit system. All in all, however, it really doesn't noticeably effect the performance running the 32 bit system on a 64 bit processor.

grizzh8r wrote:

'93HonoluluCat wrote:

HB wrote:in 1/2 a year i will be able to get windows xp which will take advantage of 64 bit processing

Actually Windows XP isn't a 64-bit OS...it's only 32-bit. If you want a 64-bit OS, you'll have to wait until...umm...whenever Windows "Vista" is released.

Correction: To my knowledge, Windows has released an XP version that is 64-bit. I know because I was stupid and bought the 32 bit system. All in all, however, it really doesn't noticeably effect the performance running the 32 bit system on a 64 bit processor.

shhh dont tell the mac user that...our little secret...cant wait to run 64 bit windows!

CelticCat wrote:My friend owned a Gateway, and when he wanted to upgrade his processor, he found out that Gateway had this special modified motherboard so that he couldn't upgrade unless he bought directly from Gateway. I had a Dell and it worked fine, but I'm all about customization now.

I would say Dell is probably the best of companies, just my opinion.

If you go Dell, check the Costco web page for specials. If one matches your needs and has a $300 discount. you can get a deal. Or if you pay the same price for what you would have bought and get even more (such as a 3 year warranty), it's a good thing.

Go to the Dell web site and compare exactly with the special on the Costco site. to make sure it's a good deal.

Costco sends the order directly to Dell and Dell configures and ships it to you directly via UPS. (You need to be a Costco member however).

BobcatLionFan wrote:

CelticCat wrote:My friend owned a Gateway, and when he wanted to upgrade his processor, he found out that Gateway had this special modified motherboard so that he couldn't upgrade unless he bought directly from Gateway. I had a Dell and it worked fine, but I'm all about customization now.

I would say Dell is probably the best of companies, just my opinion.

If you go Dell, check the Costco web page for specials. If one matches your needs and has a $300 discount. you can get a deal. Or if you pay the same price for what you would have bought and get even more (such as a 3 year warranty), it's a good thing.

Go to the Dell web site and compare exactly with the special on the Costco site. to make sure it's a good deal.

Costco sends the order directly to Dell and Dell configures and ships it to you directly via UPS. (You need to be a Costco member however).

i would not get a dell...that commertial still buggs me
besides...hps computers has came around and you can get amd processors