okay one more computer question...honest

[tims]

i have a HP xt926 out of the box pc.
i can only go up to 512 mb ram, running 256 right now, i did install a 80 giga HD about 2 yrs. ago..
only have a CDRW , the floppy went bad, necver replaced it since i never really using it.oh it has a AMD duron 900mhz


question is
shoudl i try and and add on to it or just get a newer computer?, if i go with a newer computer do i build or get a out of the box one?
i play with pictures and soon either auto or deltacad..
so i am also thinking i might want to jump up to a 160 giga HD .one of the problems with this current tower, i cannto add a lot to it with out replaceing some of the main components inside, i cannto replace the video card at all. ecasue of the way they did it.

some you are major computer people..i am ery low on the scale..ideas????

[wharyat]

If you want a new computer, this would be the time to do it. I recommend building your own.

How fast would you go if you get a new computer? The top speed today will cost a good 2500-3000 to DIY (top of the line components). A decent speed (2-3 GHz) with decent hardware (good video card, gig of ram, moderate motherboard) should be around 5-800.

[xaoss23]

autocad or deltacad? Thats a BIG difference in quality of programs. Depending on your goals with 3D rendering etc (Autocad) I would say beef up your memory bigtime for this one. Deltacad, you can probably run fine on your existing system. Youre comparing a $40program (DeltaCad) to a $4000 one(AutoCAD)

On the other note, personally Im a big fan of building your own computers.... out of the box usually is more expensive and less options... and it definately helps if you know who to get your software from.

[xaoss23]

oh, and I completely agree with everything Vince noted....

[tims]

dang....... looks like DIY will be the way...

i am not too worried about gaming on it. more for pictures.

[Flame]

IMO I would look at the mid-range dells. With the cost of the OS, Hardware, and Warranty it is more cost effective to purchase out of the box. DIY is a great idea if you are wanting to build a high end custom unit.

[tims]

now which is better a P4 or AMD 64 ?

[VWD]

I have to say I would go with the AMD64, I not great on computers but have used AMD for years, Sold on them.

[Tim224DT]

I like AMD better but for what you plan on using the computer for (AutoCad, DeltaCad, Pictures and other graphical stuff) i would think Intel would be better for you thats just my opinion.


Tim

[Marn]

if you are gonna build it yourself then chek out www.newegg.com they are great on there prices and my husband has built a few from them..

Marn

[Casey]

I love my Dell XPS

[Doug1]

Either of the High end chips should work well, 64 bit will get more usable as puters evolve, if you want to use auto cad definatly get something that has or can handle a couple gigs of RAM

[wharyat]

For Autocad, 512mb ram with a 1 gig processor is more than enough for 2d drawing. 3d on the otherhand...

For me I used to love AMD until I actually tried a Pentium 4. I don't recommend a 64 bit processor unless you are using linux/unix; windows can't do much of anything with 64 bit as of yet. Vista will be fully 64 bit capable.

If your'e going to DIY (which if you do, we'll all help you put it together), www.pricewatch.com has great search features to find a product at the cheapest price on the web.

This is all my opinion, but brands to check out;
Intel (Pentium 4 HT, Pentium D)
MSI for motherboard and video cards (www.msicomputer.com)
Kingston for ram
Creative for audio
Thermaltake for cases and cooling (www.thermaltake.com)

[xaoss23]

Im a fan of AMDs as well, tho my opinion is probably outdated, since I havent done much computer work in the past 4 years.

On a side note, both AMD and Intel have suprisingly great results in radiation testing. One of the major projects I was working on at NASA was testing P3s and AMD for total ionizing dose exposure, tho I think Intel turned slightly better results. (just incase you plan on taking your computer to space or something) lol

[tims]

cool....
i want a system to handel pictures, possible video. and if possible the auto cad ( dont have yet but is on my list of things)
can i use the case i have now for this or let my son just that this over.. although i shoudl be able to get a gateway tower they toss out all the time at work...