I needed a new PC. My old Dell Dimension 8200 is just too old to run the software I would like. I had always had Dells previously but I found as I began to enjoy upgrading hardware, Dells were not conduicive to it. When I installed a (once) powerful video card the stock Dell power supply wasn't enough to run it. Because the power cord connector location and other parts were totally opposite of every other power supply on the market, it took a metal nibbler, files, and a set of metal shears to modify the case to fit an 850 watt power supply. I had to cut away everything but the mounting screw holes. I don't know if they are still that way. I couldn't install a better mother board after the computer became dated because the motherboard secures to a mounting plate and isn't made to be removed. Even the proprietary RamBus RAM memory it had when it was new was twice the price of every other RAM memory and it was quite a while before anybody but Dell sold it. There were also too few bays for what I ultimately used the computer for and my real desk top is still cluttered with a host of external devices that had no room to put in the case. Also, because of the way the mother board was installed and the connection points on the back panel, the guts wouldn't fit in another larger and better case! The moral of the story is if you are a gear head and like upgrading parts be sure to educate yourself on what's proprietary that can't be changed, what parts you will be at the manufacturer's mercy to buy, and what you can actually swap out that will work and actually fit.
An HP desktop I owned I found out after the fact would not accept a full sized video card. The case wouldn't go back together. Having to find a video card for its size rather than it video processing power limited my choices and was a heck of a lesson learned and a mistake I will not repeat.
For my new PC I went to one of the specialty companies that custom build computers. There are a number out there but after much research, two of the best are Digital Storm and Stealth Machines. I went with Stealth Machines because of they way you can talk to them and tell them what you do with your computer and they will recommend what you need to accomplish that. I spoke at length with Josef, the owner, and all I can say is I was very impressed. His reputation is well earned and deserved. There were parts I wanted that he said he'd gladly sell me if I wanted but that there were alternatives that were actually better that were less expensive. With his guidance I came away under budget and with way more computer than I expected. it's such a different experience from what I am used to I can't see me ever buying anything from a regular retailer again. While Stealth machines is more well known in the hard core computer gaming world (of which I am a proud member) they and the other companies also cater to the business and more regular PC user.
For anybody looking to buy a new PC I would recommend that you call one of these companies and talk to someone. You may be very surprised at what you can get for your money.
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24-May-2011