Specs of New Computer
Nov 10, 2017 23:37:22 #
A frequent subject is "I need to buy a new computer, what are the the specs best for post processing?" I just ordered a new computer. here's what I bought. It is not a minimum machine. In fact it is what I consider a no compromise machine.
Processor: Intel Core 7th Generation i7-7700 Processor (Quad Core, up to 4.20 GHz, 8MB Cache, 65W)
Windows 10 Home 64bit English
1TB SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
256GB PCIe M.2 NVMe Class 40 Solid State Drive
16GB DDR4 UDIMM Non-ECC 2400MHz (2x8GB)
8 GB DDR4 UDIMM Non-ECC 2400MHz (2x4GB)
16GB M.2 PCIe Optane Memory
Tray load DVD Drive (Reads and Writes to DVD/CD)
AMD Radeon RX 480 with 8GB GDDR5
With the SSD configured as C:/ to give me the extra speed, the 1TB will be D: and used only for data. I get differing opinions about the Optane memory from experts, but Dell already had it in the machine. It is supposed to be a kind of advanced "cache." New Intel technology. I will probably take out the 1TB because I'll be transferring my present two data storage drives which are both only a few months old (And HGST brand) as drive D: and E:. Find some other use for it.
Not bad for under $1,000. Similar machines are available from other manufacturers--though not Apple, even a three times the price.
Actually, after I ordered it, I found essentially the same machine at my local Costco for about $1090. It would have been an excellent choice also.
Processor: Intel Core 7th Generation i7-7700 Processor (Quad Core, up to 4.20 GHz, 8MB Cache, 65W)
Windows 10 Home 64bit English
1TB SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
256GB PCIe M.2 NVMe Class 40 Solid State Drive
16GB DDR4 UDIMM Non-ECC 2400MHz (2x8GB)
8 GB DDR4 UDIMM Non-ECC 2400MHz (2x4GB)
16GB M.2 PCIe Optane Memory
Tray load DVD Drive (Reads and Writes to DVD/CD)
AMD Radeon RX 480 with 8GB GDDR5
With the SSD configured as C:/ to give me the extra speed, the 1TB will be D: and used only for data. I get differing opinions about the Optane memory from experts, but Dell already had it in the machine. It is supposed to be a kind of advanced "cache." New Intel technology. I will probably take out the 1TB because I'll be transferring my present two data storage drives which are both only a few months old (And HGST brand) as drive D: and E:. Find some other use for it.
Not bad for under $1,000. Similar machines are available from other manufacturers--though not Apple, even a three times the price.
Actually, after I ordered it, I found essentially the same machine at my local Costco for about $1090. It would have been an excellent choice also.
Nov 10, 2017 23:49:07 #
Nov 11, 2017 01:30:19 #
cyclespeed
Loc: Calgary, Alberta Canada
Why are you bashing Apple computers? Are people expected to write anything other than "enjoy your new computer"?
Nov 11, 2017 07:12:37 #
Reinaldokool wrote:
A frequent subject is "I need to buy a new co... (show quote)
Yes, nice machine for under $1,000. It took a long time for Dell to have SSD drives available. The M.2 was a good choice, even at only 256GB. I have a 500GB M.2 in mine, and I'm using only 85GB. That's for Win10, PS, LR, and lots of other programs. I have a 4TB D drive, and it has plenty of room left for storage.
Now, you have to get two good (HGST Ultrastar) external drives for backing up.
Nov 11, 2017 07:25:45 #
Nov 11, 2017 08:13:19 #
My home built now 2y old is quite similar. I suggest adding a SATA Hot Swap Drawer to use for backing up [cloning] the drives you have in machine. Clone, remove, store... just in case disaster strikes, virus, atomic war, or FBI raiding your home and confiscating your computer!!! OH, yes, occasionally drives fail. Hot swap drawer fits into a DVD slot on the case. $20 free shipping.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kingwin-Single-Bay-3-5-Inch-Internal-SATA-Trayless-Hot-Swap-Rack-with-Key-Lock/351863501392?epid=16005330157&hash=item51ecb2f250:g:5ZkAAOSwiHpZ-ua9:sc:ShippingMethodStandard!33558!US!-1
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kingwin-Single-Bay-3-5-Inch-Internal-SATA-Trayless-Hot-Swap-Rack-with-Key-Lock/351863501392?epid=16005330157&hash=item51ecb2f250:g:5ZkAAOSwiHpZ-ua9:sc:ShippingMethodStandard!33558!US!-1
Nov 11, 2017 10:01:49 #
My next machine will have a primary SSD for the OS and apps. I need a laptop as I tend to move around a lot, and usually live on a boat. I'm hoping Black Friday deals yield something in my price range. For those that already have SSD's have you setup your applications to use the SSD for swap space? If so, is the difference notable?
Nov 11, 2017 10:06:40 #
cyclespeed wrote:
Why are you bashing Apple computers? Are people expected to write anything other than "enjoy your new computer"?
He usually calls Apple computers “toy” computers. He must not have had his Ex-Lax yet.
Nov 11, 2017 10:38:31 #
Reinaldokool wrote:
A frequent subject is "I need to buy a new co... (show quote)
Don't bash the Apple for price because their price is reasonable. Apple builds nice computer which can't be said for the system you mentioned at Costco. You can have cheap PC and you can have PC that is more expensive than the most expensive Mac.
Nov 11, 2017 13:26:15 #
Reinaldokool wrote:
A frequent subject is "I need to buy a new co... (show quote)
That sounds like a fine machine. Though what is "16GB M.2 PCIe Optane Memory"? Does your Dell have more than two RAM memory module slots? I have a Dell XPS 9800 tower from COSTCO with 32GB RAM, 4-core (hyperthreading) i7 3.4GHz CPU (a couple years older model than yours). Out of curiosity, do you know what non-ECC means? I do, but I rarely see anyone refer to it unless they actually did have ECC memory modules in say a Server.
Nov 11, 2017 13:34:56 #
Reinaldokool wrote:
A frequent subject is "I need to buy a new co... (show quote)
By-the-way, Apples are a cult! The last time I referred to the Apple III computer and the Apple LISA computer, I was added to the Apple fan's Ignore List. So sensitive.
You'd think the person would at least appreciate that I follow Apple History enough to even know what the LISA was (I saw one in an Apple Store once). You don't want to know the price. Might still be more than several gaming Alien Ware (Dell) PC today.
Nov 11, 2017 13:39:39 #
lamiaceae wrote:
By-the-way, Apples are a cult! The last time I referred to the Apple III computer and the Apple LISA computer, I was added to the Apple fan's Ignore List. So sensitive.
I am not an Apple fan although I did own an Apple II and an Apple III and the original 128K Mac. I have a few Mac II's also. Never had an Intel based Mac.
However, I don't think Apple are overpriced. Their price are reasonable.
Nov 11, 2017 14:08:55 #
BebuLamar wrote:
I am not an Apple fan although I did own an Apple II and an Apple III and the original 128K Mac. I have a few Mac II's also. Never had an Intel based Mac.
However, I don't think Apple are overpriced. Their price are reasonable.
However, I don't think Apple are overpriced. Their price are reasonable.
The old Apples and Mac's (Motorola based) seemed nice when I used them at schools when teaching. But their price to me was always THE issue. I've used newer intel based Mac's with double-booting for Windows as well. Again at a school. It was crap, the Windows (XP) mode crashed insistently, and even the Mac O/S mode was unstable on these hybrid machines. I could only wish they did have normal all Mac computers, but no. The adult ed school figured they could get double use out of these Frankensteins. So I just learned to use Photoshop as the Mac version with Mac keyboard even though I'm a PC user otherwise (since it was a bit more stable on these terrible Apples). I guess Apple prices (for nearly all Apple products) are reasonable if you are a design person. I don't really care that my DSLRs are all curvy and slick sensuous looking today. I still think the Nikon F, Leica M3, 6x6cm Rolleiflex, Pentax spotmatic, Canon F1, and many more are all beautiful and totally functional in their day and for film. I've seen people argue over the hair-splitting design aesthetics of different Nikon DSLR models and seem to base a purchase on looks. No, No, No, not for a camera. Yes, for an automobile appearance can be important, yet...
Nov 11, 2017 16:29:07 #
lamiaceae wrote:
That sounds like a fine machine. Though what is "16GB M.2 PCIe Optane Memory"? Does your Dell have more than two RAM memory module slots? I have a Dell XPS 9800 tower from COSTCO with 32GB RAM, 4-core (hyperthreading) i7 3.4GHz CPU (a couple years older model than yours). Out of curiosity, do you know what non-ECC means? I do, but I rarely see anyone refer to it unless they actually did have ECC memory modules in say a Server.
Non-ECC stands for non error correcting code memory and is common in lower priced non critical consumer computers where other memory error correcting schemes are used to partially deal with memory errors (flipped bits) which are typically caused by cosmic ray particles that bombard the earth. ECC memory (which is more expensive and a few percent slower) is still used in critical server and space applications.
Nov 11, 2017 17:47:28 #
TriX wrote:
Non-ECC stands for non error correcting code memory and is common in lower priced non critical consumer computers where other memory error correcting schemes are used to partially deal with memory errors (flipped bits) which are typically caused by cosmic ray particles that bombard the earth. ECC memory (which is more expensive and a few percent slower) is still used in critical server and space applications.
My current and last PC both have and require ECC memory. They don't run all that great and the memory is expensive.
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