Please help me find the fastest, most powerful desktop unit...
Computer desktop stopping
Thursday, August 3, 2006 by Just4Jane | Discussion: Personal Computing
I need to purchase a new powerful desktop and wanted some advice. I currently have a custom built unit with Intel 4 - 3.0 CPU, 2 hard drives, dvd-rw, cd-rw, 1.0 gig ram. I have my own business which is accounting and bookkeeping. I have noticed lately that everything is running slow. I formated back to a ghost image that was right after I installed Windows XP prof and all my necessary programs. I still seem to have the same problem. I did recently get a new accounting version of my program which has minimum requirements for it of 2.8 CPU and 1.0 ram. However, I was having the slow problem prior to putting it on. I do all the routine maintenance religiously. That includes Norton System works programs, defrag. I have SpySweeper and SpyBot to take care of that problem. I am actually wondering if some of the OD stuff is effecting it. However, I have used OD for years and just noticed the problem. It is time for a new desktop anyhow, so I want some advice from all you professionals and everyone else who can help. I am leaning toward a Systemax with the Dual Core and 3.6 processor, 2.0 gig ram. They have great tech support and that means a lot to me. I bought a Systemax about 5-6 years ago and it was the best I ever had. I just replaced it because of needing to invest for business. So...please help. I want fast and I want power. Thanks so much. 
By the way, can someone tell me the difference with Duo Core and Duo 2 Core!
By the way, can someone tell me the difference with Duo Core and Duo 2 Core!
Just4Jane
Reply #2 Thursday, August 3, 2006 8:05 AM
Reply #2 Thursday, August 3, 2006 8:05 AM
What product is good to replace Norton for anti-virus and routine maintenance?
Lantec
Reply #3 Thursday, August 3, 2006 8:20 AM
Reply #3 Thursday, August 3, 2006 8:20 AM
I'd recommend
Trend Micro for AV
Zone Alarm for Firewall Protection
Spybot S&D and Adaware to keep malware and spyware at bay.
Use the MS apps built into XP for other maintenance like defrag.
Nothing at all with the Norton/Symantec name on it.
Trend Micro for AV
Zone Alarm for Firewall Protection
Spybot S&D and Adaware to keep malware and spyware at bay.
Use the MS apps built into XP for other maintenance like defrag.
Nothing at all with the Norton/Symantec name on it.
Lantec
Reply #4 Thursday, August 3, 2006 8:23 AM
Reply #4 Thursday, August 3, 2006 8:23 AM
Forgot to mention, I have several Dual Core PCs and the difference is very noticable when you've got multiple apps running. I highly recommend it as well.
Island Dog
Reply #5 Thursday, August 3, 2006 8:24 AM
Reply #5 Thursday, August 3, 2006 8:24 AM
Corky_O
Reply #6 Thursday, August 3, 2006 9:23 AM
The "Core Duo" processor is the dual core processor that has been in use in notebook computers for about 6 - 8 months (there is also a Pentium D and Celeron D dual core processors for desktops).
The "Core2 Duo" is the new processor which was code-named "Conroe" for the desktop processor, and the "Merom" for the notebook. These processors are reported to be about 40% faster than the Duo Core at about 40% more power efficiency.
The E6600 (2.4 Ghz), and the E6700 (2.66 Ghz) have a 4MB L2 cache which provides a lot of fast memory for specialized use in multi-tasking - in other words, the chips response times are improved greatly.
The E6300 (1.86 Ghz), and the E6400 (2.13 Ghz) both have the 2MB L2 cache which the same as the "Core Duo" cache.
The new Core2 Duo chips run at 1066 Mhz front side bus speeds, which allows very fast memory and video communications. By comparison, the "Core Duo" chips run at 667 Mhz front side bus speed - fast for the notebook computer.
Dell, HP, and a few other manufacturers have already started producing machines with these new processors, so if you are looking for the top of the line stuff - this is the way to go (as far as Intel goes).
Since I run Intel processors and MoBo's, I will leave the AMD info to more competent sources here.
Reply #6 Thursday, August 3, 2006 9:23 AM
| By the way, can someone tell me the difference with Duo Core and Duo 2 Core! |
The "Core Duo" processor is the dual core processor that has been in use in notebook computers for about 6 - 8 months (there is also a Pentium D and Celeron D dual core processors for desktops).
The "Core2 Duo" is the new processor which was code-named "Conroe" for the desktop processor, and the "Merom" for the notebook. These processors are reported to be about 40% faster than the Duo Core at about 40% more power efficiency.
The E6600 (2.4 Ghz), and the E6700 (2.66 Ghz) have a 4MB L2 cache which provides a lot of fast memory for specialized use in multi-tasking - in other words, the chips response times are improved greatly.
The E6300 (1.86 Ghz), and the E6400 (2.13 Ghz) both have the 2MB L2 cache which the same as the "Core Duo" cache.
The new Core2 Duo chips run at 1066 Mhz front side bus speeds, which allows very fast memory and video communications. By comparison, the "Core Duo" chips run at 667 Mhz front side bus speed - fast for the notebook computer.
Dell, HP, and a few other manufacturers have already started producing machines with these new processors, so if you are looking for the top of the line stuff - this is the way to go (as far as Intel goes).
Since I run Intel processors and MoBo's, I will leave the AMD info to more competent sources here.
yrag
Reply #7 Thursday, August 3, 2006 10:47 AM
Reply #7 Thursday, August 3, 2006 10:47 AM
Until you get a new system....if that's Spysweeper V5, uninstall it and your present machine will run fine. A new update to fix the version 5 performance bugs will be out by the end of the week.
Just4Jane
Reply #8 Thursday, August 3, 2006 8:47 PM
Reply #8 Thursday, August 3, 2006 8:47 PM
Thanks for the info on Spysweeper V5, Yrag! It made a big difference. The speed now seems so much better. I still hope to get another machine, but this makes it so much better for the time being.
WebGizmos
Reply #9 Friday, August 4, 2006 7:01 PM
Reply #9 Friday, August 4, 2006 7:01 PM
Yrag is God! 
Of course you know that Yrag isn't really human! He's an intergalactic space traveler sent here to help us mere mortal fix our pc's
Of course you know that Yrag isn't really human! He's an intergalactic space traveler sent here to help us mere mortal fix our pc's
Armbut
Reply #10 Friday, August 4, 2006 7:19 PM
Reply #10 Friday, August 4, 2006 7:19 PM
I have no idea why I am posting this...I guess its about the Intel Core 2 Duo stuff. I have a Notebook PC, running a dual boot of Windows XP Pro SP2 and Windows Vista 5472. My CPU is a new Intel Core 2 Duo set at 2.4GHz. I have 3GB of DDR2 RAM and a 500GB Hard Drive. What would you guys rate this from 1 to 10, 1 being the worst and 10 being the best?
Lantec
Reply #11 Friday, August 4, 2006 8:13 PM
Depends on what you use it for. As a gaming computer it's probably a 5 becuase laptops just can't keep up. As a CAD Station it's probably more like a 6 or 7 depending on whether your video is a Card or integrated. As a Office/School machine I'd say 9 because its portable and multi-tasks well (I'd would've said 10, but you've got it dual booting Vista).
You rate a computer on how well it addresses your needs, how dependable it is over time and how much $ your out.
Reply #11 Friday, August 4, 2006 8:13 PM
| What would you guys rate this from 1 to 10, 1 being the worst and 10 being the best? |
Depends on what you use it for. As a gaming computer it's probably a 5 becuase laptops just can't keep up. As a CAD Station it's probably more like a 6 or 7 depending on whether your video is a Card or integrated. As a Office/School machine I'd say 9 because its portable and multi-tasks well (I'd would've said 10, but you've got it dual booting Vista).
You rate a computer on how well it addresses your needs, how dependable it is over time and how much $ your out.
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Reply #1 Thursday, August 3, 2006 8:03 AM
If anything is slowing your system, it's probably anything that has the word "Norton" in it.