First desktop in 10 years.

[Chad Cardin]

Lew,

I can see why they wouldnt want to recommend just because there software specialists not computer builders. The only reason I was wanting an idea of what might be better is because lets say as an example if one processor working with chief is like a 70s Gremlin and the other is like a 2011 Toyota Prius, Im wanting to go for the Prius.

Again, Im not a computer person, so any kind of 'heads up' on these things is a great help. I do like Wendys way of getting her computer built from local help, its just that Im not sure all of us have a local person who knows chief well enough to tell us what parts of the computer are best for this application.

[Pat1217]

Lew,

I do like Wendys way of getting her computer built from local help, its just that Im not sure all of us have a local person who knows chief well enough to tell us what parts of the computer are best for this application.

Chad,
If you find really good local help, then they already have had customers who use their computers for cad programs, high end graphics etc.

Read reviews on their services, see how long they have been in business. It's like finding a good doctor. You can get a pretty good idea how well the company is perceived by their customers. Google is a good thing.

[HumbleChief]

Chad,

Are you ready to build a new computer now? If so post some specific questions and mine the knowledge base that's here in the Chief user group. If not in the market today then wait until you are because EVERYTHING will have changed between now and the time you actually get your new computer.

[HumbleChief]

Chad,
If you find really good local help, then they already have had customers who use their computers for cad programs, high end graphics etc.

Read reviews on their services, see how long they have been in business. It's like finding a good doctor. You can get a pretty good idea how well the company is perceived by their customers. Google is a good thing.

Good advice but remember Chief doesn't perform that well with strict CAD based computers (as alluded to earlier re: gaming computers) . For instance the very expensive 'Quadro' CAD video cards do not perform that great with Chief but they do work with other high end CAD programs. But that's a simple 'video card' question to ask when the time comes to upgrade your computer.

And the tech guys here said they had a hard time using any more than 4 gigs of memory with X4 - a great bit of information (and no need to buy 12 gigs).

Anyway all the knowledge is here when you're ready.

[Chad Cardin]

Pat,

Thanks for the advice. Problem is I live in Silicon Valley where everyone says there a tech expert and have been in the business 20 years. Truth be told, Im sure there not lying but 'being in the business' can be web engineering, computer tweaking etc. So yes, I will keep my eyes open for new opportunity. I think I will try one of those custom places mentioned in the thread earlier, those seem to be a safe bet and Im sure if you call them they can advise you on whats best for what your looking for.

Larry,

No Im not immediately looking as I still have my warranty until March 2012. Problem is I know shortly after that expires I will be buying another one. They just fixed mine last month and already, I can hear 'that sound' again from the graphics card going out. It makes this kind of fan type noise. Im becoming an expert on 'noises' because the stupid thing has gone out so much.

Currently I dont care if it goes out every week because I will just demand a new part to be installed, problem is, after the warranty is up, this unreliable thing will keep acting the way it always has. Thus, bringing me to get a new better more reliable model! WHHOO HOOO!

[Pat1217]

Chad,
I don't know about other brands but I know Dell replaces their warranty parts with refurbished ones so they aren't new.

[Chad Cardin]

Chad,
I don't know about other brands but I know Dell replaces their warranty parts with refurbished ones so they aren't new.

HOW GHETTO! Each time they have been out, Ive asked them 'Are these NEW parts?' Theyve always said yes but we open the packages to make sure they work before we bring them to your home so we cant say there brand new but they are! Next time I will tell them to put that in writing as that situation is a lawsuit waiting to happen!

[Pat1217]

HOW GHETTO! Each time they have been out, Ive asked them 'Are these NEW parts?' Theyve always said yes but we open the packages to make sure they work before we bring them to your home so we cant say there brand new but they are! Next time I will tell them to put that in writing as that situation is a lawsuit waiting to happen!

Chad, I'm sure it's in the Terms of Sale. That thing is so fricken long I don't think too many read it.http://www.dell.com/content/topics/g...n&~section=012

[Chad Cardin]

Pat,

I bet it is! The problem is when the tech people come out to fix it, I always ask if these are used or new parts and they ALWAYS tell me 'new'. That really makes me angry and I will be sure to ask them again, the next time this heap breaks, and then call them on it if its rebuilt!

[Pat1217]

Pat,

I bet it is! The problem is when the tech people come out to fix it, I always ask if these are used or new parts and they ALWAYS tell me 'new'. That really makes me angry and I will be sure to ask them again, the next time this heap breaks, and then call them on it if its rebuilt!

Best thing is to find where it says they replace it with refurbished parts. It might say "new or refurbished" but most likely it will be refurbished...it's cheaper for the company. Then show them the policy.

If the part doesn't say "refurbished" or has any other designation that it's refurbished then you can take the model and serial number and call the manufacturer and find out. The manufacturer or retailer is required to list all products that have been refurbished, opened or used.

[Chad Cardin]

Good idea, Im going to do that. Irregardless of what they do, they shouldnt be having the tech people say 'its new' when directly asked by customers, are these new or used pieces your putting in my computer?

[victor rasilla]

Well, at risk of putting my foot in my mouth, here i go. from my research(partial & subjective) and reviewing clockspeeds system to a few colleauges with recent builds here is "my" starting point albeit high starting point((really medium mid point)which means low upper point(does that make sense?)) and this is for today.

AMD phenom II X4 955 black(unlocked) ~115.00
ASUS M4A88T-V Evo - AM3 Socket 880G ~110.00
Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB DDR3 RAM ~40.00
Nvidia GTS 450(optional) ~120.00

the mobo actually has ATI Radeon 4250 onboard which will run your rendering well but also will suport CrossfireX so "fugheddaboutit".

with the incidentals this system will run no more than 750-800(obviously peripherals not included.) I built my wife a system along these lines save the video card and updraded PSU for less than $600.00 including OS.

And if you're really nuts you'll reuse your old desktop case and save even more yeeoww!!

[victor rasilla]

P.S. you see my specs... with liquid cooled heatsink... I paid 1490 at ecollegepc.com.

[Chad Cardin]

Victor,

Thanks for the posting. I actually LOVE my computer case, its really slick its all brushed aluminum with lights all over the front and back, I so love it. Its just with these online ordering places, like the ones listed here like ecollegepc, I dont think you can get it all installed in your old one, unless you do it yourself? And Im no computer tech, so Im not sure how I would go about that unless I found a local place, which I still have not.

[WendyWelton]

Chad,

I found my computer dude by talking to other businesses with similar needs. I have an in-house network, and I like to break things. So I made sure I got my advice from other small businesses running high-end graphic software, with in-house networks, and people who like to break things.

Never ask the business themselves! Always start with the customers. Ask about whatever matters to you. I needed someone who would come here in person and make it better, and do it promptly and with good humor. I also needed someone who would send themselves, not "staff". My guys are two guys - not one (so there's someone to cover) and the same two guys - not revolving door staff.