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Time for a new computer, what should I be looking for?

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melarky:
My wife has given the go ahead to start looking for a new computer (we've had our current one for quite a while now, at least 5 years).  I haven't followed the "chip wars" with Intel and AMD, so I have no idea what to be looking for anymore.  Is one better than the other?  I hear a whole lot about dual core blah blah blah, but don't know what I should really be looking for (seems like the processor speeds haven't improved that much over my old Pentium 4 2.0 GHz).

Can anyone suggest some things to look for in a new computer that will really matter.  Also, which chip (Intel or AMD) and what speed etc...  Any input on this would be appreciated.

leapinlew:
Well...


What do you do? You play games? Use photoshop? Just check email?

I'm assuming since you haven't upgraded in 5 years you probably don't game much. Almost anything would be a good improvement for you. I got an email for a Dell with a 19" LCD for under $600. Maybe worth looking at.

FrizzleFried:
Right now Intels latest Core 2 Duo processors are "the shizz".   Go with them,  whatever memory is good with that chipset (I ain't got a clue as I ain't got the dough for a Core2Duo system),  and make sure you get an Nvidia 8800 video card (its DX10 compliant).

USSEnterprise:
You should probably get something that is dual core, has at least a gig of DDR2 RAM, and at least one PCIe Slot for video upgrade. Personally, If I were to buy I computer right now, I'd go with something with a Core 2 Duo processor, mainly because of the huge amount of L2 cache. However, I am currently running an Athlon X2 3800 + with 1GB RAM and I am pleased with its performance in gaming and 3DMark 06. Check http://www.dealnews.com for good deals. Its how I found mine. As far as Video, I currently have a 7900GS, and am extremely happy with it. As for the nVidia 8800, I would wait until the 8600 series cards come out before upgrading video.

melarky:
Yeah, I don't game too much (just MAME, and I won't be using that this computer, I leave that to the one going in the cab).

I do use photoshop and illustrator fairly often, and my wife would like to get a program to edit our movies on (like pinnacle studio 10 or something, just something to grab our camcorder video and make a quick menu and burn a dvd etc...).  That is probably the most "cpu intensive" stuff I do though.

We currently have a laptop (Pentium 4 2.0GHz), and we're always running out of "Virtual Memory" because the video card is crap (I think that is what is causing that error), and we weren't able to install a video editing suite on it either (just don't think it was up to the task, needs a better video card again).

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