Re: New PC time: boutique computers

Am 11.04.2011 01:07, schrieb Ross Ridge:

The problem is that for less money you can get the same computer, with the
same CPU, the same video cards, memory, SSD and motherboard, just not in
the same case. Unless you need something to show off to friends who are
geeky enough to know what Alienware means but not a dual-card quad-GPU
SLI GTX 590, I'd just go a local "mom and pop" type store. They'll put
all the same parts together for you with a much smaller markup.

Your average cheapish computer cargo pusher (cccp) may be able to
deliver respectable amount of performance for a fair price but it will
have quality problems. Cheapish board with problematic capacitors, PSUs
barely doing a PSU job, loud fans, bad cooling...

A Boutique Computer usually uses exactly the same components but more
bleeding edge and more expensive. Boutique Computers simply aren't. I
had several at hand at work, e.g. a 2000 Euro Dell XPS workstation,
Commodore Gaming systems, semi-pro-Core7 and pro-Xeon Workstations from
HP, Lenovo, Dell fare better but not by much and even a lot more
expensive (wanna see my 8000 Euro Xeon5600-Workstation at work?).

You do not have to pay premium to get all out better quality. But you
have to pay 20-40% more for the same power. I usually pay this premium
and never regret paying for it. But often regret not paying for it.

Here is my current system:

http://geizhals.at/deutschland/?cat=WL-129467

PSU Enermax (LibertyECO/ErP cheap, MODU87+ blingbling) NOTHING ELSE.
Case Enermax Phoenix/Chakra (best technicals) or Lian Li (best optics)
or Xigmatek (cheap and still good).
Boards only Asus and Gigabyte. NOTHING ELSE.
Drives only Seagate Barracuda. NOTHING ELSE.
CPU mostly Intel.
Memory often G.Skill RipJaws.
Gfx preferable NVidia from a brand name like PNY, Gigabyte, Asus - the
order is intentional, PNY has by far the most brilliant support. Maybe
because they also sell NVidia-Based OpenGL-Boards for several thousand
Bucks. Nvidia drivers are just a lot less hazzle than Amdati.
DVD mostly LiteOn iHAS624, has the most relaxed RPC-handling, is cheap
and overall is an unnoticable working horse.
A nice 120mm CPU fan cooling solution and some additional 120mm case
fans. It doesn't matter to pay premium here because 2x120mm cheap are
always cooler and quieter than 1x120 expensive.

I usually pay around 800 Euros per System. This is more than enough
today. Paying twice may offer 30% for games available in four years.
Maybe not. Though at work I also use Xeon-Systems with 12 cores (24 with
Hyperthreading) and 48GB memory costing 8.000 Euros. But for gaming even
those powermachines do not beat my 800 Euro system.

Christian Brandt
.

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