Computer Needed for Serious Business Concern

[Geiser093]

I am going to be setting a web site, eBay, Amazon store and will be selling full time online. I need a new system that will keep up with the demands of what I will be doing. I figured this is my normal hangout and would post here as I know a lot of the guys do computer work. I don't need state of the art but don't want a turd either. I looked on eBay and Tiger but thought I would offer the business on here first. I would like Windows 8 if possible and dual monitors.

[matador]

If you want, you can shoot me a PM. I refurbish a lot of systems, and build plenty of new ones too. I can go over pricing and what I can offer if you'd wish. Here in the open forum, I can offer some basic tips, though:

I would go refurbished. I've owned many computers- only one of them was brand new when I started owning it (I built it in 2007, and still use it today). Go for a Core 2 Duo processor for minimum, but if you can spring for it, a Quad will be nicer. Go with 4GB of RAM minimum, and get a 64 bit OS so you can take more. Go with a larger hard drive (250GB or larger), and you'll be good to go.

I'd stick with Windows 7. It's supported until January of 2020, and will likely receive the free upgrade to Windows 10 when it comes out.

If you want a new system, here's my tips on what to go for from building them:

Go with an AMD CPU. A 6-Core 3.5 GHz AMD CPU costs $110, while the same speed and cores on an Intel CPU costs $579. The AMD is no slower in my experiences. It's just a much better deal. You're paying for the name. 90% of the new systems I build are AMD-powered. It's well worth the savings.

Go with a hybrid SSD. They cost more than a regular hard drive, and aren't as fast as a true SSD, but they're faster than a regular HDD, and a lot cheaper. They're the best compromise.

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I do have a horse in the race of course, but I'd personally go refurbished. I run an eBay store and handle the photos for it from a refurbished tower. I design websites and do movie editing on the computer that I built back in 2007 (Actually older than my refurbished desktop in the office). The money savings are well worth it. My PC in the office will let me run an online radio station while editing photos and uploading to my FTP. That's plenty for me.

[miked]

I have a couple of computers that I use for ebay and other mundane tasks and testing of computer components. One of the computers that I used is very similar to the description Matador gave you. I had it built because I did not feel comfortable building it myself but I could tackle the job now. It has a Quad core AMD cpu, four hot swap sata HDD enclosures. Also a 750GB hd, 6GB ram.

With this set up I can listen to online radio, test up to six hard drives, list and do research on ebay, also print out shipping receipts and play solitaire at the same time. And it has duel OS Windows 7 and the up to date version of Ubuntu. I primarily use the Ubuntu because its quick and simple. So I would take Matador's advise seriously. Mike

[matador]

I love Linux personally! I've been rebuilding computers for almost 10 years, so I've seen most of the operating systems. Linux is very nice once you get it "dialed in". I use a program that won't work in Wine, though, so I'm tied to Windows on my one PC. Windows 7 is a delight to use, though.

My computer for eBay is running a 250GB hard drive, and 4GB of RAM. I'm just running a Core 2 Duo. It keeps pace, but I'd like to drop in a Core 2 Quad one of these days.

Are you doing anything else with the machine? I keep a couple of light games on there, and they run fine. Everyone loves Solitaire!

Do you have a budget? That'll determine what you should go with.

[mikeinreco]

I'm actually posting this on a Pentium D with two higher end dual cores set up next to that...........I would suggest at least a quad for someone who is actually investing in a computer.....Actually some of the i series have come way down in price on the used market

[Scrappah]

I don't have a horse in the race on this one. Just a few recommendations:

1: The refurbishers here care about the product that they're putting out.

2: You would probably be better off with a business class machine as opposed to a cheapie consumer grade. The hardware is is a bit better. Dell has a nice line and an overall good reputation for quality.

3: Look at the available number of slots for memory on the motherboard. Some have two and others have four. Having only two really limits your options.

4: Heat is the enemy. In theory .... the old p-4's could have been built to a processor speed of 10 ghz but the power consumption ( and heat dissipation ) would have been off the charts.

Power consumption is an important consideration when doing a processor upgrade. With a lot of the core 2 Dells .... it's a good idea to limit power consumption to 95 watts.

5: Quad cores and faster dual cores don't always translate into higher passmark scores.

6: IMO ... the decision of duo vs quad should be based more on how you use the machine. If you do a lot of multitasking a quad might be a better fit.

7: I wouldn't recommend windows 8. Overall .... the general public wasn't very happy with it. Windows 8.1 is a little better but it's jarring for anyone used to previous versions of windows because they re-arranged everything. It remains to be seen if windows 10 will be any better.

It's looking like windows 7 will be the new win xp. It's a fairly good program. For a business .... windows 7 professional, 64 bit, would be a good choice.

8: In fairness .... some of the larger retail chains have been carrying " off lease '' refurbs. Some of the advertised prices were pretty hard to compete with but you have to bear in mind that you get what you pay for. They're suitable for some ... not so much for others.

[matador]

I agree completely on the business class machines for two reasons- durability and parts. I've repaired too many Acers and Gateways for customers to be able to recommend one. The Dell OptiPlexes and HP dc-series desktops are both more durable. Plus, if any part breaks on my OptiPlex 745, I can run to the back room and have it within 10 minutes.

Four slots is definitely the way to go. My OptiPlex 745 is running 4x1GB sticks, but I could go to 4x2GB sticks for 8GB of RAM. For me, though, 4GB is plenty.

For Windows 8.1, try a free program called Classic Shell. It'll give you a Windows 7-like Start Menu. But, that really defeats the point of having Windows 8. Most refurbishers (Me included) will recommend Windows 7. It really is the next XP- the one OS that won't be topped for a long time.

Even though I handle the same type of machines as the stores with "Off Lease" machines, check the specs. A lot of those machines are churned out is mass with low RAM and slower CPUs. There are well-equipped ones out there, but most of the "specials" seem to have 2GB of RAM and 80GB hard drives. If you pay to upgrade the RAM and HDD, you may spend more than you would to choose the nicer machine.

A tip for you- when they say 2GB of RAM, you're probably getting 4 512MB sticks. To go to 4GB, you have to purchase 4 sticks, not 2.

Just my $.02

[Geiser093]

Thanks for the input. I have a system coming free on Thursday I am going to see what it is before I make a decision. My buddy has it and is not using it, no ,matter what the 25" monitor will be used.

I will use 16GB of Ram, and a 500GB Hdd, other than that if this system doesn't work out I will be here to buy one from a member.

[ozzy214]

If you want cheap and Im right next door to you, 150 cash. I have a machine with 4 gigs of ram, dual core e6750
It is a dc7800.

Now this is special. When I acquired it, it has legal windows 7, Photoshop, and office on it. Yes legal. I just don't have the keys, but you can retrieve them with magical jellybean.

That should do all you need to do for office work. I was running 4 gigs and a e4300 up too a week ago for 2 years till I upgraded due to running vmware and multiple virtual servers.

There is one downfall. They used a 250 gig laptop drive in place of a desktop drive in it. They have it secured so it wont short out. But I may humblky suggest to clone it and put a desktop drive in it.

I can do PayPal and will ship for that price. I will also do 60 day warranty as Im confident machine is good. I been building machines since 2004 and I seen no bad caps or nothing on the board.
phone 570 five zero seven one eight 38

[ozzy214]

[ozzy214]

I just noticed you wanted dual monitors, you would have to upgrade video card as it is using onboard video or you can buy a usb to vga adapter like this. I use one as well, since I run fiour monitors at once...was cheaper than buying a $125 video card lol.

Startech USB to VGA Multi Monitor External Video Adapter USB2VGAE2 | eBay

I can look in my stash and see if I have a video card I can add in for dual monitors, but would need a few days to order a low profile bracker for card. Since this a small form factor case. I believe I have a 210 here which would be decent for movies and dual monitors. Let me know if interested or call me. And I will get the ball rolling. Thanks

[notnock]

i have a dell 980 tower home computer and a dell wyse thin client

I am going to be setting a web site, eBay, Amazon store and will be selling full time online. I need a new system that will keep up with the demands of what I will be doing. I figured this is my normal hangout and would post here as I know a lot of the guys do computer work. I don't need state of the art but don't want a turd either. I looked on eBay and Tiger but thought I would offer the business on here first. I would like Windows 8 if possible and dual monitors.

[matador]

This is a very old thread, but I'll offer some advice on the Intel i-Series.

The LGA 1150 is a great socket. I build a basic web surfing machine with it last month. The cheap i7s on eBay are LGA1366. You can literally buy an i7 CPU for $25, but good luck finding a motherboard. They'll cost well over $100. For that cost of the board, you can easily build an AMD FX-6300 based machine or an entry-level i3 machine that will have a better upgrade path.

The LGA1366 is a very old socket, and there are no new boards for it.

The market on Core 2 Duos is setting. They're abundant and cheap, but for the price, I think you can do better.

[armygreywolf]

To clarify the 1366 is not technically a i series socket, it is a precursor to consumer i series sockets thats actually for xeons (workstations).