What is the best computer for me?

Question

My PC is 5 years old and I will be upgrading it soon. I word process with clipart inserts a lot; upload, store and manipulate my photos; email; research on the web; instant message; and use BLURB to create books a lot. This last I find slow and "sticky", and wonder if an impressive processor and lots of RAM would help. I could afford a so-called gaming computer, but I don't game. I am willing to pay for, AND REALLY WANT, speed and responsiveness when I am running all my programs (which I do) at the same time.

Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Ironically, you are one of the few people who probably should be buying a pre-built gaming system.



So-called gaming systems almost always (not always, but ALMOST) have a very weak graphics card, as far as gaming use goes. If you want a decent GAMING system, you pretty much have to build one yourself. But as far as photo editing, serious writing, multi-tasking goes...most systems built for "gaming" would work PERFECT for that.



I usually recommend a multi-core AMD system, but your specific usage might favor an intel processor. The only thing an AMD system would work better at is photo editing, but an intel processor would still work fine for that, and an intel processor would be better for everything else you seem to want to do.



This is an interesting question, actually. I'll see if I can find a pre-built system and maybe suggest some parts to build one yourself...

Prebuilt: On Best Buy, for about $1150 (then add a monitor):

Dell - Studio XPS Desktop with Intel® Core™ i7 Processor

Model: SX8100-1986NBC | SKU: 9697488

That's one of the few gaming systems I've seen with a decent video card. It would make the perfect high-end workstation, which is what you really need. The video card is actually overkill for what you would be doing, but it will work great! :)



Build your own:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

Corsair 650TX power supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146061

NZXT Gamma case (any decent mid-tower case would do)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215

Core i5 quad core processor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128425

Gigabyte P55 1156 USB3 motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231311

8GB of DDR3 1333 RAM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433

Seagate 1TB 32MB cache hard drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125310

Gigabyte GTS 250 Video Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754

Windows 7 Home premium 64-bit (you need 64-bit)

Logitech wireless laser mouse

Logitech USB keyboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236052

Asus HDMI Full HD 23" monitor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106335

Retail Kit LiteOn Lightscribe DVD burner



There ya go. That was fun. This is a monster system, spec'd by me. All top-notch name-brand hardware. NO weaknesses. Video card isn't the greatest for gaming, but it's a heckuva bargain for a high-end workstation!!!!

Answer 2

i'm just a little smiling about Dave's suggestion. i don't think you want to build a computer yourself and the above mentioned parts are not that inexpensive and would be a bit too much for your requirements.



you don't need a real gaming machine having that much memory. a pretty much cheaper computer of off the shelf will do, whereby a look for good specs is necessary.



i would suggest this middle priced iBUYPOWER model

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227209

it has a quad core processor, a very good graphics card and 4gb ram is by far enough for your demands. the only part that isn't included is the monitor but you want probably use your current one.

Answer 3

Gaming PC's generally run all applications faster.

I'm on my 5th computer built by http://www.cyberpowerpc.com and have yet to have any problems.

Other brands I would suggest are

Alienware

Falcon Northwest

Ibuypower



If you would like to find more, just get an issue of PC gamer magazine and check out the computer builders who advertise there.



Brands I would stay away from are

Acer, Dell, Gateway, HP, Sony, Toshiba or pretty much any other huge manufacturer aside from Apple.

Answer 4

ever consider a mac? and gaming pc's are usually really expensive because of the video cards. any modern pc with the i5 or i7 and a 64 bit OS is going to do you just fine.

Answer 5

AC;

I always go here before a major purchase. It is sooooo... worth it. $5.95 gets you a month and then you can cancel if you choose. I find Consumer Reports to be extremely user friendly and informative. Good luck,choose wisely.



http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/computers-internet/computers/index.htm