Hey IT Guys - Another computer question

[brained]

right, as I said, everything is scaleable based on what wants to be done with the pc.

In my many years of building computers and gaming with them, I have only ever had 1 gpu fan fail and it was on a an nvidia ti4200.

I have a couple of gtx260s still running strong,

2x 8600s running strong

1x 7900 gtx that runs fine.
1x 7950 gt that runs fine.

Gpu fans are not my first and most expected point of failure. I usually expect processor fans to fail before gpu fans.

Cpu fans are easily replaceable due to having standard specs for mounting. Gpu fans can and often are unique to the card. A universal replacement May fit but is often an ugly hack.

Having taken care of my share of a very large user base gpu fan failure is common enough to rule out anecdotal success with them.

 

[brained]

as for open office, yeah it works fine, if you are willing to work with it, but most people use ms office and get used to how it feels and functions and hate change.

If this were true nobody would have switched to the new interface present in office 2007 and continuing in 2010.

There's nothing wrong with it and I use it on a few workstations that require a particular feature from it (esoteric ones at that). No need to pay for unused features on the rest of the workstations.

 

[Korllach]

No, it isn't but I dont know if Jeff likes to game I also dont know if this machine is going to be used for cad or if he is going to continue to use the pc he is using now to design cages etc etc.

The machine I specced was to be about like what he posted with the t1500 from dell and to be in line with what kind of performance they were quoting. Once I find out exactly what he wants to do with it, we can adjust the specs and go from there.

The other thing is it gives you some options on where you mount your video card based on how your case goes together.

It is nice having some options to work with on placement based on cable lengths hard drive positions and cable managment after you have everythign connected. Can also help air flow from bottom to top of case if your video card is not nuts to buts with your hard drives.

You really also dont need a lot of any of the power to run word or excell in 5 years from now. But some of the other aps for cad May require some extra horse power.

My idea is build it strong enough to still be able to comfortably run software you use with updates 4-5 years from now.

Most machines now are built a round a 3 year swap out life. I dont think Jeff runs by that schedule as the computer he is using now is one off the shelf from 2003 if I recall.

I have always found that if I go a little more power than I May need now, the machine lasts quite a bit longer with less issues.

If we were wanting to really just cut down prices to the lowest we could get, I wouldnt be going with an intel based system, let alone an intel I-5 based system. I just think that the i5 while more spendy than the i3 or the amd solutions is reasonable. The motherboard while yes is pricy, had great reviews. I was looking at another one before hand for less that were more in line with the ones you were looking at, but there were quite a few folks who said they had 1 or 2 back to back dead motherboards.

I think the best thing is, though, that he could take all of the suggestions from here, order the parts himself and have someoen local build it. I have also done a couple of long distance builds, but I dont realy like to as the last one I did, fed ex must have dropped it out of the plane at 16,000 feet because the after market cpu heat sync and fan had come off and smashed the gpu.

 

[Korllach]

if this were true nobody would have switched to the new interface present in office 2007 and continuing in 2010.

There's nothing wrong with it and I use it on a few workstations that require a particular feature from it (esoteric ones at that). No need to pay for unused features on the rest of the workstations.

Trust me it was a bitch switching from 2k3 to 2k7 here. We told everyone to grab a straw and suck it up.

But that is the difference between running your own company and working for a company with set proceedures.

It is definitly an option if Jeff feels comfortable going with open office.

Having run both, I prefer ms office, though, outlook is heavily integrated into our core business software. We also got our licenses included with our last hardware lease, so it was really not a big deal.

 

[brained]

The other thing is it gives you some options on where you mount your video card based on how your case goes together.

It is nice having some options to work with on placement based on cable lengths hard drive positions and cable managment after you have everythign connected. Can also help air flow from bottom to top of case if your video card is not nuts to buts with your hard drives.

You've got a really good point here, even with big antec cases video cards have to be pulled to get to the hard drives.

You really also dont need a lot of any of the power to run word or excell in 5 years from now. But some of the other aps for cad May require some extra horse power.

Both the suggested and the alternative mainboards have the same 'power', the primary difference is in the number of slots for video and by having the extra slots being capable of 3 way sli.

my idea is build it strong enough to still be able to comfortably run software you use with updates 4-5 years from now.

Most machines now are built a round a 3 year swap out life. I dont think Jeff runs by that schedule as the computer he is using now is one off the shelf from 2003 if I recall.

I have always found that if I go a little more power than I May need now, the machine lasts quite a bit longer with less issues.

Imho this is a good philosophy and the parts specc'd out reflect it.

if we were wanting to really just cut down prices to the lowest we could get, I wouldnt be going with an intel based system, let alone an intel I-5 based system. I just think that the i5 while more spendy than the i3 or the amd solutions is reasonable.

Agreed, it's just a race to the bottom when you start cutting the budget too much.

the motherboard while yes is pricy, had great reviews. I was looking at another one before hand for less that were more in line with the ones you were looking at, but there were quite a few folks who said they had 1 or 2 back to back dead motherboards.

The alternative board is from the same manufacturer, uses the same chipset, and is likely built on the exact same line. The main difference is the absence of 3 way sli.

I think the best thing is, though, that he could take all of the suggestions from here, order the parts himself and have someoen local build it. I have also done a couple of long distance builds, but I dont realy like to as the last one I did, fed ex must have dropped it out of the plane at 16,000 feet because the after market cpu heat sync and fan had come off and smashed the gpu.

Yep, long distance support sucks.

Don't get me wrong, I'm just nitpicking at some of the details. Your specs make for a pc that'll outlast and outperform the previously listed dell at the same price point.

 

[brained]

trust me it was a bitch switching from 2k3 to 2k7 here. We told everyone to grab a straw and suck it up.

But that is the difference between running your own company and working for a company with set proceedures.

It is definitly an option if Jeff feels comfortable going with open office.

Having run both, I prefer ms office, though, outlook is heavily integrated into our core business software. We also got our licenses included with our last hardware lease, so it was really not a big deal.

Outlook is a big factor. Lots of third party software depends on or plugs into it.

 

[ihpartsjeff]

Thanks guys for all this info. I will admit some of things you are talking about are over my head so I really don't know how I need the system set up. I just know what I need the system to do. To answer a few questions yes I do plan on three computers in the end all in the office and all talking together. From what I understand each must have it's own license for quickbooks. This way I can have two salesman making sales while the bookeeper gets her job done so at times I will have simultaneos use. Basically I'm hoping my older laptop can be used as the third terminal for now until I am ready for the next terminal. As for the ms office it came with that particular system that I was pricing out. Currently I hardly if ever use it and am not having to really need that program. Am I going to to cad? Maybe in the future but not anytime soon.

Other things to note is that I will need all computers printing off of the same printers(dymo labelwriter, ups thermal printer, and main printer. I am currently using a verizon aircard and will be needing an antenna for it as my current set up sucks. Also looking for installation on all this so if you know anyone please have them contact me.

 

[brained]

Other things to note is that I will need all computers printing off of the same printers(dymo labelwriter, ups thermal printer, and main printer. I am currently using a verizon aircard

Windows 7 64 bit with 4gb ram is the way to go. 32 bit software like the quickbooks and such should run fine on it.
32 bit device drivers for printers and such will not. Make a list of specific devices that will be attached to this pc and we'll help you determine if the proper drivers exist.

 

[Korllach]

From what you described Jeff it sounds like wr could really scale back the parts I listed almost in half. It sounds like we need to

1. Make sure we have the win 7 drivers for your printers.

2. Make sure the network is set up properly the first time.

With you only having the verizon air card that makes it a bit tricky because now you have to share that internet connectionwith the other pc's. Think back to the days of sharing your 56k dial up modem.

Did you ever find out if anyone has point to point wireless?

We will make sure you are taken care of ;d

 

[ihpartsjeff]

The verizon card is what I have now. It works ok when I get two bars but for the most part I get no bars and I'm nearly positive that the antenna is the cause as my cel phones get about 3 bars on average. I have breifly looked at point to point wireless in my area. The main problem right now is finances. I still have 1.5 years on my existing contract with verizon at $60 per month. Point to point at a business is close to $200 with my local provider. So right now I am in a quandry on that issue. From what I have been told I can put up an external(outside) antenna and then install into a router specifically designed for this aircard(you guys probably know more about this??).

As for printers I am currently using a dymo 450 twin turbo labelwriter, a ups 2844 thermal printer and a hp j6480 printer. The hp printer will be replaced by a much larger more office orientated printer in the very near future as I really do not like my current printer.

Any other questions that I need to answer please let me know.

 

[ihpartschad]

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as for printers I am currently using a dymo 450 twin turbo labelwriter, a ups 2844 thermal printer and a hp j6480 printer. The hp printer will be replaced by a much larger more office orientated printer in the very near future as I really do not like my current printer.

Any other questions that I need to answer please let me know.

By the way did you want me to check on a all in one or are you looking for print only. It appears the print only type are much faster.

 

[brained]

dymo 450 twin turbo labelwriter

Is listed as win 7 64bit compatible - driver here.

a ups 2844 thermal printer

Looks like all the 2844 zebra variants have a win 7 64 bit driver here.

hp j6480 printer

This one's good to go too here.

the hp printer will be replaced by a much larger more office orientated printer

It's unlikely a new printer would not come with win7 64bit drivers but I'd check the specs just to be sure.

 

[ihpartsjeff]

by the way did you want me to check on a all in one or are you looking for print only. It appears the print only type are much faster.

Not yet on the printer. I can live with my existing one for now. What I am having a hard time living without is another computer around here, updated quickbooks, better internet and a functioning automated phone system. Once these four are done the printer will come down the line after wards.

Rubicon this weekend - are you in?

 

[ihpartsjeff]

is listed as win 7 64bit compatible - driver here.


Looks like all the 2844 zebra variants have a win 7 64 bit driver here.

This one's good to go too here.


It's unlikely a new printer would not come with win7 64bit drivers but I'd check the specs just to be sure.

Again drivers are sort of greek to me. If that is what I need then yes it should be included. I like to do things once and do them right so if that is what is needed to really make things right then it should be done. I hate regrets!

 

[brained]

again drivers are sort of greek to me. If that is what I need then yes it should be included. I like to do things once and do them right so if that is what is needed to really make things right then it should be done. I hate regrets!

All the existing printers are good to go. You can add the new one at your convenience.

With the new printer it'll take two seconds to check the list of supported os's and see if win7 64bit is on there.

 

[Korllach]

What model of usb air card do you have?

 

[ihpartschad]

rubicon this weekend - are you in?

No, still out..... On top of everything else going on parents are due back with the boys Friday.

 

[ihpartsjeff]

what model of usb air card do you have?

Verizon aircard.

Getting back to this and an update on things. I recently received a major update on my verizon wireless. I also purchased a small antenna for the aircard. Internet speed is now way faster and now I am totally happy with that so it is scratched off the list.

Now back to the computer. I'm ready to get this going. Do we have a consensus on what to order? Do you need any other info from me on this?

 

[Korllach]

If you want to order an out of the box model, you should be just fine with the optiplex model over the higher end one. Or maybe look at something similar from hp, or lenovo (I suggest lenovo because they are very competative with dell I have found out, and their tech support and onsite service is absolutly top notch).

If you want to order pieces and parts and have it put together I sent you list of something greater than or equal to the dell you specced out. And brained has added some suggestions in areas to save money.

Let us know what you want to do.

Imo if you really want a set it and forget it box, get one from a manufacturer and buy the 3 year accidental damage / onsite repair warranty. If anything breaks, they ahve to come fix it.

If I lived closer, I would have no problem just building you one and coming out to fix it when it broke or upgraded it when you wanted it upgraded.

 

[ihpartsjeff]

Seeing that I have been using dell computers for several years now with good results I will stick with them. So can you set me up with what I need on the optiplex? There are always so many things to consider when ordering. And again this computer will be fine for net working with up to two other computers?