New PC...Custom or Stock

[vicb]

Thanks for all the help! Definitely will be custom, not definite about AMD or Intel processor since I have had good luck with both in the past but  definitely going with 32g of ram and a solid state hard drive for the os.

[blue moon]

It is just my opinion and we all know that everybody has one (something about a specific body part comes to mind), but in my opinion (which some here will agree with and some will not), workstations are the way to go. And more specifically, a prebuilt one by a major company.

Now why do I keep saying this and why do I think my opinion matters? How many here have computer background? I mean professional computer stuff, not just hobby or amateur building. . .
-I built my first computer in the80's,
-programmed in multiple languages including the machine code (the one that uses ones and zeros to talk to the CPU directly) and assembler
-built systems for living for many years,
-set up a tech support/repair departments for small computer stores (as consultant/subcontractor),
-went to one of the best computer engineering programs in US (Case Western Reserve University ranked 4th ahead of Stanford when I was there),
- owned a computer networking company,
-was an IBM business partner reselling their parts and systems with my next business (with 20+ employees).

So, yes, I think my opinion has some credence (at least when it comes to computers)! The sample size I am pulling my information from is more than one or two systems ppl built for themselves. Does this mean workstations are the right choice for everybody? No, it does not, but unless you are somebody like Brandt that has spend hundreds of hours building and researching, chances are you'd be better off with a workstation (and most likely a workstation might serve you better in that instance too!).

And with this, I am done explaining myself. Anybody wanting another opinion, feel free to PM or call, I'll gladly share my sources and insights.

pierre

[Gilligan]

  A monkey can put together a computer, there is no skill involved IMO.

What a dick.  :p

[Gilligan]

To further emphasize the advantages of going away from a white box, Lenovo has a support page with fixes to any known issues (usually not many). If there are problems with new drivers or OS patches, you'll find out before getting in trouble and the solution will be posted.

pierre

Maybe we need to discuss this a little further.

My father-in-law bought a lenovo desktop some years back (before my wife and I started dating), she had to have the mother board replaced because it blue screened all the time.

Then not much later it started again.  So we just built him a new machine at this point.  He's a VERY happy camper, but that isn't my point at all.

Next, I looked at the computer and realized it was pretty decent specs and figured instead of going to waste I could use it for my general office computer... I can deal with some crashes from time to time.

Well, those crashes became daily, then hourly.  Now I feel like it blue screens if you don't hold your breath the right way when you click on something.  It's a joke.

I've swapped RAM, tested RAM, changed video cards... everything.  Seems like it's come back down to the mother board again.  I'm not changing that out again for another bad mother board.

So now it sits around as a kick around box for beating up and doing silly things with.  Unfortunately we never know if it's crashing because of what we are trying to do or because it's just a fickle POS!

But if you think this thing can be fixed by just visiting some site, I'm super interested.  I'll also admit I have not sought out such an "answer"... but maybe I'm just spoiled to systems that I've built that don't crash because the wind changed directions.

[GraphicDisorder]

It is just my opinion and we all know that everybody has one (something about a specific body part comes to mind), but in my opinion (which some here will agree with and some will not), workstations are the way to go. And more specifically, a prebuilt one by a major company.

Now why do I keep saying this and why do I think my opinion matters? How many here have computer background? I mean professional computer stuff, not just hobby or amateur building. . .
-I built my first computer in the80's,
-programmed in multiple languages including the machine code (the one that uses ones and zeros to talk to the CPU directly) and assembler
-built systems for living for many years,
-set up a tech support/repair departments for small computer stores (as consultant/subcontractor),
-went to one of the best computer engineering programs in US (Case Western Reserve University ranked 4th ahead of Stanford when I was there),
- owned a computer networking company,
-was an IBM business partner reselling their parts and systems with my next business (with 20+ employees).

So, yes, I think my opinion has some credence (at least when it comes to computers)! The sample size I am pulling my information from is more than one or two systems ppl built for themselves. Does this mean workstations are the right choice for everybody? No, it does not, but unless you are somebody like Brandt that has spend hundreds of hours building and researching, chances are you'd be better off with a workstation (and most likely a workstation might serve you better in that instance too!).

And with this, I am done explaining myself. Anybody wanting another opinion, feel free to PM or call, I'll gladly share my sources and insights.

pierre

I assume this is basically directed at me. 

I have never really said you do not know what you are talking about, you have some knowledge.  You have also admitted a lot has changed.  Even a year away from the tech world is almost a life time and you know it.  What I am trying to get across is the deal link you used to post so much, was filled with a lot of outdated computers with only a few decent ones in there.  But most if not all were refurbished.  Many with a CPU at least 2-3 years old some much older.  I mean like one guy is boasting here having bought one with a $399 video card, that's great but it is slower than a $150 video card from today.  Does that mean it sucks?  Nah not at all, but once again context is important. 

In other words I think you are dishing out a lot of advice with out any context.  People will take your advice and assume one thing that may be in fact another.  SOME of those think stations were good value, in fact in one thread I even pointed out a couple.  MANY of them were actually NOT a great value for a main rig.  Might be good for a side task type  machine (shipping/vinyl machine/etc). 

When someone looks at a car today they wonder does it have remote start, and Bluetooth.  When they go to Lexus and pick up that certified used car they probably quickly compare it's options with what a new car has today.  When you are giving out computer advice it's probably important to qualify what they AREN'T getting with some of those machines, since a lot of these people don't know any better.  I know at one point I didn't even see a single Sata III machine in the list.  I haven't looked since this last chat about it but that's just one example.  I remember the but they have great processors argument, like 2 computers in the list had great processors at one point.  I mean how good is a processor that a desktop quad core from 5 years ago is still faster than it?

Context!!!!!!!!!

[mk162]

My opinion is go with the used Thinkstation, but buy a decent one.  This is only my opinion, but I am of course the world's leading expert on my opinion.