Comments on: What Kind Of PC Lasts The Longest? http://www.pcmech.com/article/what-kind-of-pc-lasts-the-longest/ Helping Normal People Get Their Geek On Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:29:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Johnhttp://www.pcmech.com/article/what-kind-of-pc-lasts-the-longest/comment-page-1/#comment-30277 John Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:22:12 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/what-kind-of-pc-lasts-the-longest/#comment-30277 Table top fans are a computer saver. Keep it cool. Table top fans are a computer saver. Keep it cool.

]]> By: Luis R.http://www.pcmech.com/article/what-kind-of-pc-lasts-the-longest/comment-page-1/#comment-28188 Luis R. Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:37:56 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/what-kind-of-pc-lasts-the-longest/#comment-28188 Longevity has many variables as we all know. I am using a 7-year old Compaq EVO at work which only last month blew up its power supply. Unfortunately the IS guys didn't have any spare PCs available at the time but they just replaced the power supply and it was good to go. I say unfortunately because I was expecting them to come with a new PC... oh well...At home I have had similar experiences. My current build is five years old and still running quite well. I am planning to upgrade sometime in the near future mostly in anticipation of Windows 7 more than anything else. So far I have never had a hardware failure (knock on wood) other than power supplies (three of them in my current system) and a couple of cd/dvd drives.But I know people who have had several major hardware failures including hard drive crashes in the same period of time. Your mileage may vary. Longevity has many variables as we all know. I am using a 7-year old Compaq EVO at work which only last month blew up its power supply. Unfortunately the IS guys didn’t have any spare PCs available at the time but they just replaced the power supply and it was good to go. I say unfortunately because I was expecting them to come with a new PC… oh well…

At home I have had similar experiences. My current build is five years old and still running quite well. I am planning to upgrade sometime in the near future mostly in anticipation of Windows 7 more than anything else. So far I have never had a hardware failure (knock on wood) other than power supplies (three of them in my current system) and a couple of cd/dvd drives.

But I know people who have had several major hardware failures including hard drive crashes in the same period of time. Your mileage may vary.

]]> By: Kiddhttp://www.pcmech.com/article/what-kind-of-pc-lasts-the-longest/comment-page-1/#comment-28187 Kidd Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:34:39 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/what-kind-of-pc-lasts-the-longest/#comment-28187 quote:With the multi-core CPUs we have available today there really isn’t any reason to overclock anymore. Hobbyists do still overclock, but only because of the "because I can" factor and not much else.With the occasional exception. I am ready to present to my company that Overclocking is our only solution to running Autodesk Revit MEP. This is cutting-edge software that (to the dissapointment of thousands of users) in its' latest release, STILL does not utilize multi-core technology. And the biggest problem with the program? Performance. It simply runs 4-20x SLOWER than the previous generation of Autodesk drafting software, AutoCAD. Thanks for the article, Rich. I think I'll go start a thread for this now. quote:

With the multi-core CPUs we have available today there really isn’t any reason to overclock anymore. Hobbyists do still overclock, but only because of the “because I can” factor and not much else.

With the occasional exception. I am ready to present to my company that Overclocking is our only solution to running Autodesk Revit MEP. This is cutting-edge software that (to the dissapointment of thousands of users) in its’ latest release, STILL does not utilize multi-core technology. And the biggest problem with the program? Performance. It simply runs 4-20x SLOWER than the previous generation of Autodesk drafting software, AutoCAD. Thanks for the article, Rich. I think I’ll go start a thread for this now.

]]> By: Royhttp://www.pcmech.com/article/what-kind-of-pc-lasts-the-longest/comment-page-1/#comment-28183 Roy Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:03:04 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/what-kind-of-pc-lasts-the-longest/#comment-28183 Just a suggestion, because heat is a killer. I use my computer for graphics and it is over three years old ( in this day and age that is ancient). I learned years ago to put a small fan 4" by the bottom side of my lap top. I keep the cache empty and it stays about 5 degrees below the normal for the processor. I also never let my laptop sit flat, I use a incline mesh stand for better circulation. I have two monitors, external hard drive also connected to the computer. So it really gets a workout. On internet test speed. I don't know how reliable they are I have hit down low speeds of 18.55Mb/s. Today just for the heck of it I did a 24.35 Mb/s. Don't figure! But I have learned that cool is better. It is a Gateway MX6453, AMD Turion 64 x2 1.60 GHz with 2GB of Ram. Xp Media center edition version 2000 with only service pack 2. So you can see that it is not the most powerful on the market. Also I update anti virus every day before I even start work on the computer. So like Uncle Dave says it really doesn't matter the computer, when you buy one it really is a stab in the dark on how good it will be. It's what you do with it after words that counts. And one word of advice, just because someone advertises to "try this or that" to remove errors it doesn't mean it will work on your computer.P.S. I have for years now only used System Suite (that is not a plug for their product) to clean and maintain my computer, and my previous computer. It's not bloated and it does a good job (on my computer) to keep it clean and running. Just a suggestion, because heat is a killer. I use my computer for graphics and it is over three years old ( in this day and age that is ancient). I learned years ago to put a small fan 4″ by the bottom side of my lap top. I keep the cache empty and it stays about 5 degrees below the normal for the processor. I also never let my laptop sit flat, I use a incline mesh stand for better circulation. I have two monitors, external hard drive also connected to the computer. So it really gets a workout.
On internet test speed. I don’t know how reliable they are I have hit down low speeds of 18.55Mb/s. Today just for the heck of it I did a 24.35 Mb/s. Don’t figure!
But I have learned that cool is better. It is a Gateway MX6453, AMD Turion 64 x2 1.60 GHz with 2GB of Ram. Xp Media center edition version 2000 with only service pack 2.
So you can see that it is not the most powerful on the market.
Also I update anti virus every day before I even start work on the computer.
So like Uncle Dave says it really doesn’t matter the computer, when you buy one it really is a stab in the dark on how good it will be. It’s what you do with it after words that counts.
And one word of advice, just because someone advertises to “try this or that” to remove errors it doesn’t mean it will work on your computer.

P.S. I have for years now only used System Suite (that is not a plug for their product) to clean and maintain my computer, and my previous computer. It’s not bloated and it does a good job (on my computer) to keep it clean and running.

]]> By: Marianne Popphttp://www.pcmech.com/article/what-kind-of-pc-lasts-the-longest/comment-page-1/#comment-28180 Marianne Popp Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:31:52 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/what-kind-of-pc-lasts-the-longest/#comment-28180 I have 5 machines in-house....at least 3 of those are 4-5 years old and cross my fingers none have had major component failure. But when I decided to add the last 2, I put Ubuntu on the 3 old ones and they now seem to run faster than they ever did with Windows on them and of course with less blue screen, virus or hardware problems.I just consider myself very lucky with hardware (knocking on wood, right now). But am willing to upgrade motherboards and such if that type of hardware goes, because I do like all the cases. I have 5 machines in-house….at least 3 of those are 4-5 years old and cross my fingers none have had major component failure. But when I decided to add the last 2, I put Ubuntu on the 3 old ones and they now seem to run faster than they ever did with Windows on them and of course with less blue screen, virus or hardware problems.

I just consider myself very lucky with hardware (knocking on wood, right now). But am willing to upgrade motherboards and such if that type of hardware goes, because I do like all the cases.

]]> By: sinaisixhttp://www.pcmech.com/article/what-kind-of-pc-lasts-the-longest/comment-page-1/#comment-28177 sinaisix Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:44:18 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/what-kind-of-pc-lasts-the-longest/#comment-28177 i would buy a pre built given the part of the world i am in.it is more cost effective and simple i would buy a pre built given the part of the world i am in.it is more cost effective and simple

]]> By: marchttp://www.pcmech.com/article/what-kind-of-pc-lasts-the-longest/comment-page-1/#comment-27832 marc Sat, 11 Jul 2009 05:51:51 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/what-kind-of-pc-lasts-the-longest/#comment-27832 My 4-1/2 year-old ASUS socket 939 motherboard gave out last week. It's being replaced with a socket AM-2 board, a 2.8 Ghz AMD 64 x 2 CPU with a heavy-duty fan, and 4 GB RAM for starters. Guess I feel the need for speed over low wattage, and it's a sweet upgrade at $169 for all that. The board supports Phenom CPUs and up to 32 GB RAM in case I want to upgrade further later. I'm looking forward to running Windows 7 with this setup.If you have a good case you can update the innards and march on for another round. My 4-1/2 year-old ASUS socket 939 motherboard gave out last week. It’s being replaced with a socket AM-2 board, a 2.8 Ghz AMD 64 x 2 CPU with a heavy-duty fan, and 4 GB RAM for starters. Guess I feel the need for speed over low wattage, and it’s a sweet upgrade at $169 for all that. The board supports Phenom CPUs and up to 32 GB RAM in case I want to upgrade further later. I’m looking forward to running Windows 7 with this setup.

If you have a good case you can update the innards and march on for another round.

]]> By: scopyhttp://www.pcmech.com/article/what-kind-of-pc-lasts-the-longest/comment-page-1/#comment-27790 scopy Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:07:32 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/what-kind-of-pc-lasts-the-longest/#comment-27790 I had a dell on the go for over 5 year. Is in a draw somewhere, falling a part but still works. It's one of the back up laptops i have and i have had to go back to it a few times. I had a dell on the go for over 5 year. Is in a draw somewhere, falling a part but still works. It’s one of the back up laptops i have and i have had to go back to it a few times.

]]> By: piasabirdhttp://www.pcmech.com/article/what-kind-of-pc-lasts-the-longest/comment-page-1/#comment-27746 piasabird Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:51:42 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/what-kind-of-pc-lasts-the-longest/#comment-27746 I think most people who purchase netbooks will not be happy with them. They are just too underpowered and most people will be sorry when they purchase a device so low powered. People should buy computers powerful enough to do what they want the computer to do, not what the salesman wants you to buy. If you dont want to play games you may want more power than you think. If you spend more money up front you will cry less later.A good business machine depends on what you want to do. If you want a lot of windows up to do multiple tasks some options you might not think of may be right for you like a Two Monitor system. Sometimes at work I wish I could have 2 monitors to look at two saparate applications that I use together when scanning documents. I have a little Dell 18.5" HD 720p monitor and it seems to be pretty good but it is not quite wide enough for 2 application windows. I think a 22" widescreen monitor might be about right. Either that or two 17" more square monitors. I think the industry needs to package more systems with a dual monitor setup. If they gave a few systems in and big discounts or sent some two monitor systems out for people to try I think that would become the standard. Imagine doing programming with the ability to go thru the code on one screen and seeing the results on the other screen. Either that or watching TV on one screen and working on another screen. I think most people who purchase netbooks will not be happy with them. They are just too underpowered and most people will be sorry when they purchase a device so low powered. People should buy computers powerful enough to do what they want the computer to do, not what the salesman wants you to buy. If you dont want to play games you may want more power than you think. If you spend more money up front you will cry less later.

A good business machine depends on what you want to do. If you want a lot of windows up to do multiple tasks some options you might not think of may be right for you like a Two Monitor system. Sometimes at work I wish I could have 2 monitors to look at two saparate applications that I use together when scanning documents. I have a little Dell 18.5″ HD 720p monitor and it seems to be pretty good but it is not quite wide enough for 2 application windows. I think a 22″ widescreen monitor might be about right. Either that or two 17″ more square monitors. I think the industry needs to package more systems with a dual monitor setup. If they gave a few systems in and big discounts or sent some two monitor systems out for people to try I think that would become the standard. Imagine doing programming with the ability to go thru the code on one screen and seeing the results on the other screen. Either that or watching TV on one screen and working on another screen.

]]> By: Business Logoshttp://www.pcmech.com/article/what-kind-of-pc-lasts-the-longest/comment-page-1/#comment-27696 Business Logos Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:11:01 +0000 http://www.pcmech.com/article/what-kind-of-pc-lasts-the-longest/#comment-27696 I can tell you notebooks/laptops have the shortest shelf life! I go through them (regardless of the brand) at a rate of 1 per year. I can tell you notebooks/laptops have the shortest shelf life! I go through them (regardless of the brand) at a rate of 1 per year.

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