I'm thinking about buying a new computer. I'd also like to hear whether you think it should be a Dell or an HP and which models. Are there any black Friday deals?
I'm familiar with your current computer setup. I think an i5 would be fine but you're a computer engineer so you should get an i7. Because why not. Now here is the what I think for you is what is really important... You need to get a nice video card and install that in the new computer. If it wasn't 'rona I could do that for you but someplace like Best Buy can handle that for you. Then you need to get some nice big dual monitors. I've had dual monitors for years, can't live without them. If I remember right that means you're going to get a new desk. So new desk and you should get a very nice chair for the desk. If you don't want to get all of that you should at least get one very big and very nice monitor.
Lanny, Fuck this mutt. If you need help, hit me up. Ill mask up and head over and help ya out. Sly is right though. Dual monitors is the way to go. Most PC's come with dual monitor vid cards these days anyhow. I rock (2) 32" for my work from home set up, And out in my recording studio.
Most store bought PCs use the video built into the processor. You can run 2-3 monitors off them but it's not the same as running a video card.
Definitely get the dual monitors then. That way while you work on general stuff the other monitor can have some porn.
My problem is I'm using the same old desk that Sly said I should throw in the garbage dump. It's got a limited space left, top, right and back for a large monitor. So, why do I use such a desk? Because it's small and fits in my cramped office which I share with my wife with a love seat and 42 inch LCD TV. I've also got my Telehealth setup in there for my daily sending of my vitals to my VA Telehealth nurse which she relays to my doctor.
i7 is overkill unless you're running high powered multi threading applications or hardcore video/image processing.
Do you still have that hutch thing and your printer on your desktop? A new computer desk you can put your printer under the desk. How often do you use your printer?
I'm familiar with microprocessor architecture and I am an Electrical and Computer Engineer with a second degree in Computer Science but I am not an Information Technology guy.
For general stuff either will work. In a desktop, where cooling is easier - an i7 is less of a concern - so if you can and want the extra speed - do not be worried about it, but just for general web viewing, image handling and maybe office stuff - and i5 would be sufficient. Just make sure you get an SSD for the OS so it will start fast, even if you get a big old fashioned HDD for storage - you at least want it to boot from the SSD. I would argue that this is more important than the i5/i7 choice for general use.
So, why am I doing this? Because my computer has a hiccup and the monitor flashes on and off whenever I leave it dormant for an hour or so. It then takes about a half an hour of flashing on and off before it settles in for normal operation. So, frustrating.
Lanny, I build mine and my parents computers. If you want to wait until you and Tammy get vaccinated for the 'rona I could come over and we could build you a very nice computer.
