[???] Some Random Hardware Questions

Epyon

Epyon

Epyon

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1 Mar 2004
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1,790
It's been quite a while since I built a PC but I feel that my XPS 1530 is dying slowly and isn't up to gaming scratch (Star Wars Force Unleashed made it cry ...).

Anyway I have some random questions I need answers to:

  • Ideally I am going to have a Desktop for Gaming, Web Development, etc and a laptop for uni lectures, small developments. Even with the different tasks I need my files to be synced between the devices most of the time. Any suggestions on how best to sync this data? I want to beable to add a .ppt lecture and some notes and to return to my room and load it on my PC. I know it sounds complicated but it's a must if I'm going to go through with this set up.
  • I noticed some people are specing desktops with dual-cores, but I made my last desktop witha quad-core. Am I missing something?
  • I know on laptops i-series CPUs are the latest but is it still the case with desktops?

More questions on the way ;).

[UPDATE]

Epyon said:
It's about 2 weeks off but I need help now :D.


  • My proposed budget is £900 for the base unit and an additional £150-200 for a monitor.
  • I will at some point be looking towards a dual monitor setup so that needs to be taken into account
  • This will be used for 30% gaming (finished Force Unleashed so moving to Prototype possibly)/ 30% website development, coding, graphic design work, etc/30% general browsing activities, media, etc. I convert video quite a lot for my Zune so the quicker it can do that the better. My XPS 1530 with 2 GHz takes almost the full length of a TV series episode to convert one ...
  • The system will be in my bed room so it needs to be silent! If it has lights I may turn them off ...
  • I don't see myself overclocking at this moment in time so don't take that into account.
  • No need for an OS as I have MSDN access (speaking of which, is Windows 7 Chinese the same as Windows 7 normal is regards to serial keys?)
  • I was considering budgeting a SSD but they appear to be far too expensive so might let it good :(.
  • The system will likely need to last till I finish uni (Jun 11) so please the budget needs to be pushed please advise.
  • Lastly, I am not a super techy like I used to so the budget for monitor/base-unit can be moved around and made smaller to accomodate for a better monitor or case, etc. Just propose something to me :D.

Forgot to mention, but I am buying in 2 weeks so if there is a need to hold out then please state!

Anything I have missed?
Click to expand...
 
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Thanks a lot guys, I will look into rSync as I think internet sync may be pushing it data wise but network sync seems like a really good idea, I only need my pictures (30-40 GB) and documents (5-10 GB) ont he move so that should be fine.

SSD in a laptop/desktop sound like a good idea? To be honest I don't plan to buy for a month or 2 but I want to be prepared.
 
Interesting please go on ... roaming ...

A netbook may not be ideal as I still want to be able to watch HD content on it for when I'm away from the PC.
 
So I can use it to sync say my documents, photos and music over a network or the net? Sounds really good but what if I can't connect?

Also I use Windows 7 ... I think that might make a difference.

[SSD] Should i be buying 2 SSDs or 1 reasonable large one, I need about 60-80 GB for my system files and games (Stars Wars Force Unleashed takes 25 GB!!!).
 
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I don't want like for like as such I just want to be able to watch HD content like movies without stutter, not talking silky smooth but watchable. Gaming on a laptop I've had enough of to be honest, maybe I'll toss guild wars on it for good measure.

SSDs aren't cheap sadly :(. 64 GB for about £130 JEEZ!

The laptop is the least of my issues as until my XPS 1530 dies I wouldn't be replacing it.
 
Hotwired? Who that?

I may possible cover an nVidia ION 2 netbook depending on the price. Website development isn't going to be a primary function of the mobile device just an additional capability for if I need it when visiting a client or away from my PC.

I noticed on MSDN (I love being a computing student) that there is a copy of Windows 7 with Server 2008, is this what I will need in order to use roaming profiles? Do I need this installed on both my laptop and desktop or just my desktop?

Budget ... to be honest I don't have one at the moment most likely the max I will want to spent is nearer a grand. I'll be needing everything from monitor (dual setup at some point) to mouse, speakers, etc. The laptop will come once this one dies.
 
Thansk for your help guys,

Looks like this project has a provisional go ahead now :D so rSync looks good but I will check others.

I would have thought the file transfers wouldn't need extensive firewall changes if any. I will have to investigate.
 
By month end I should be buying my new setup, I just need a budget and a few hints/tips on what to get.

Just a few quickies:

  • Is there a point buying a gfx card or any parts now or is there going to be a massive change by next month end?
  • I'm coming from a small silverstone pc and a laptop, what's the in thingy for small cases these days? £60 would be my budget for this.
  • I'm heavily considering a dual monitor set-up how does this affect gaming, it wouldn't span across will it?

Apologies for the typos etc, I;m in a hurry.
 
Everything has near enough been confirmed for the next 2 weeks :). I can't wait, new PC at last.

My XPS is better now after a compressed air clean out, saw some big fluff balls.
 
It's about 2 weeks off but I need help now :D.


  • My proposed budget is £900 for the base unit and an additional £150-200 for a monitor.
  • I will at some point be looking towards a dual monitor setup so that needs to be taken into account
  • This will be used for 30% gaming (finished Force Unleashed so moving to Prototype possibly)/ 30% website development, coding, graphic design work, etc/30% general browsing activities, media, etc. I convert video quite a lot for my Zune so the quicker it can do that the better. My XPS 1530 with 2 GHz takes almost the full length of a TV series episode to convert one ...
  • The system will be in my bed room so it needs to be silent! If it has lights I may turn them off ...
  • I don't see myself overclocking at this moment in time so don't take that into account.
  • No need for an OS as I have MSDN access (speaking of which, is Windows 7 Chinese the same as Windows 7 normal is regards to serial keys?)
  • I was considering budgeting a SSD but they appear to be far too expensive so might let it good :(.
  • The system will likely need to last till I finish uni (Jun 11) so please the budget needs to be pushed please advise.
  • Lastly, I am not a super techy like I used to so the budget for monitor/base-unit can be moved around and made smaller to accomodate for a better monitor or case, etc. Just propose something to me :D.

Forgot to mention, but I am buying in 2 weeks so if there is a need to hold out then please state!

Anything I have missed?
 
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