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How fast of a computer do you REALLY need?

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How fast of a computer do you REALLY need?

from WinCustomize Forums
My office machine died last week. One of the CPUs went bad (one of two). Ticked off, I started looking at getting a brand new mega machine. My current work machine is a dual (now single) 650mhz P3 setup with 512MB of RAM.

So I go over to Dell's site and look at the top of the line workstations - 1 gig RAM, dual Xeon 1.7Ghz P4's, etc.

Then it dawned on me. Have computers simply lost their umph or has software simply not advanced fast enough to make getting such a mega system worth it?

I remember back in 1991 getting a 386SX-16 and getting a noticeable performance improvement simply by playing around with shadow bios.

But now, the various machines I have here at home don't really show much difference. I have a 1Ghz machine on the other side of this room that I"m not even using to type this (the P3-800mhz laptop is the main machine).

So what's the deal? Unless I'm doing CAD or rendering or something, what is a P4-1ghz (a dual no less) going to do for me, a developer, that a dual 650 setup won't be able to do in almost the exact same amount of time?

What are your views?
12,665 views 38 replies
Reply #26 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I started off on a 286 at 8mhz with a 5mb HD, that was the business back then, then I got a 15mb HD and 8Mb RAM put in it and it felt awesome at the time. About 6 months later we got our first 386 with VGA, that machine was the centre of my world for about 9 months........

Anyways at present I've got a 550 Athlon O/C to 650mhz with 768Mb RAM, Geforce 2 MX 400 and SB Live Platinum. It's not too shabby I suppose BUT I'm getting a 1.4Ghz Athlon, with 768Mb DDR RAM at the weekend to upgrade. SHould be much happier with Max Payne when it's swopped.....

I have to say I think that the amount of RAM can be a lot more positive on performance than most people give it credit for, I generally have 380Mb free, thats with XP RC1, IE6, Winamp, AIM, PSP7, Dreamweaver 4 UltraDev all open as well.....

The beefier the better when watching DVD and creating music and graphics...... If I didn't do that I'd probably be quite happy with what I have although the SB Audigy looks awesome..... will be getting one as soon as
Star Control: Origins
Reply #28 from WinCustomize Forums Top
RAM is a huge performance booster for minimal $$$ these days. I've maxed out a system per paycheck since prices hit rock bottom
Reply #29 from WinCustomize Forums Top
hehe, currently running with P3 1ghz, 512 Ram, TNT2 32 meg, 5 HD's, DVD, CD-Burner, LS-120, Floppy Windows, lights, fans, etc. The only thing I am missing is that when I was running Win98, I had an atapi tape drive running with direct tape access. I am still not satisfied Seriously though, I do want a faster video card, and am restling between a geforce 3, or one of the new radeons. My problem is that the more powerful I make my PC, the more STUFF I try to make it do. I would like to be able to have my email proggy running, listen to tunes, run DX, WB, Nextstart, LS, WindowFX, etc, my PVR software recording in the background, Trillian running, Playing Half-Life, all while defragging the HD's. Almost there, bwah-ha-ha.
Reply #30 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Buzz_Hog - feline, I don't think that's a hardware problem... Are you running Seti or a CPU cooler app?

personally i think it is something to do with one of:
software firewall, atguard
IE being a terminal resorce hog
antivirus program, which literally adds 10 minutes to boot time

i keep toying with stoping antivirus, but with all the fuss, ect i am not sure it is safe.

my machine is fine off line, so long as i dont go totaly silly, so its not a general problem.
Reply #31 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Feline,

Watch yur task manager when this is happening and see what is hogging up the processesor... On NT or Win2K hit Ctrl, Shift and Escape. Check the processes tab.

Under the CPU column, it'll give a number in percent of processor usage.

Reply #32 from WinCustomize Forums Top
my p3 550 with 320 megs of ram suits me well enough ... no need for anything faster or more memory ... course im a soder so all i really NEED is something that can run notepad heh but i also fart around a lot so the 320 megs of ram is often sued to its max ... seeing as how i usually have 20 windows open at a time at least
Reply #33 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Same here, iMike - I make do with my PII 350 - 320Mb of memory and plenty of hard drive space eases the pain . . . *g*
Reply #34 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Personally I will not be happy until you can directly plug the systems into your mind and eliminate the need for a keyboard, mouse, and monitor all together. But then again the power would be limited to your mind and a damn hard thing to upgrade that would be.
Reply #35 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I've read an article about a laser shooting the display directly on your retina, eliminating the need for a screen. They say the laser is harmless because it's not strong ebough... but let me doubt that a little. My momy used to scold me if I sat in front of the TV to close...
Reply #36 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Buzz_Hog - Watch yur task manager when this is happening and see what is hogging up the processesor... On NT or Win2K hit Ctrl, Shift and Escape. Check the processes tab.

good point, i never seem to remember to check this once i get busy though.

just after it finally finshing booting though the "system idle process" always seems to be hogging all the CPU power.

perhaps i should kill it next time my machine slows down
Reply #37 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Circular question, as the more processing power I have available, the more I'm capable of and the faster I can get current capabilities done (graphic apps just love resources).

And P4 is a pile, at least at this point. Look at a good AMD rig (or build your own).
Reply #38 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I don't see any improvements with new CPUs, but that might have something to do with the fact that I upgrade as soon as they hit the market