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In Jan 2014, we’re talking 4g Intel i7 processor (or equivalent AMD processor, but probably not). These CPUs should last 6-8 years (so until 2018-2020) and i would not expect to reach that grind-to-a-halt state until 8-10 years (2022).
With Intel Core i7, you want to watch the socket. More likely to get an upgrade processor in the future that fits that socket, rather than a whole new mother board.
Today 4GB is enuf to run widows 7 adequately. It doubles every 2 years, so
- 2014: 4GB
- 2016: 8GB
- 2018: 16GB
- 2020: 32GB
- 2022: 64GB
- 2024: 128GB
You dont need all that memory now, but you want to be able to upgade to it, so you want the motherboard and chipset to support it.
Also you want to make sure your memory is taking advantage of dual channel, then means 2 (or 4) memory cards, 1 (or 2) in each channel.
If you’re going hi-end, you want a large SSD. 256GB are available, even 512GB. I even saw one ~700GB. And now 1TB.
For flexibility, get 2 x 5.25inch bays. That way you dont have to swap disks if you’re copying. Many PCs these days come with only DVD-writers, maybe blu-ray reader-only. Eventually, you are probably going to want a blu-ray reader, and/or writer. This is a $100-$200 upgrade plus installation now. If you want to watch blu-ray movies now, the upgrade has to be now. If you want to wait, the upgrade will be $50-$100 plus installation.
USB 3.0 is getting more popular. Almost everything in existance is USB 2.0 right now. So get USB 3.0. At least 4 ports. There’s a faster version of 3.0 coming out very soon (out already? Jan 2014?), but even today’s USB 3.0 is 10x USB 2.0.
You want *ALL* SATA III ports, no SATA II.
The 11 Places I shop:
- TigerDirect
- newegg
- Best Buy
- Walmart
- Staples
- OfficMax
- OfficeDepot
- JR.com
- CDW
- overstock.com
- Beach Audio
- b h photo video?
Here are the choices available from different vendors in this price range for this performance. Note date of price check for each PC listed.
Table Notes:
| hilit | |
|---|---|
| choice number | |
| as_of | |
| price | |
| shipping | |
| product | |
| vendor | |
| OS (home/pro 32/64bit) | |
| processor | |
| chipset | |
| Motherboard | |
| memory | |
| memory pre nstalled | |
| max memory | |
| mem type, speed | |
| mem slots total | |
| disk | |
| disk size | |
| disk rpm | |
| disk SATA speed (II 3Gb/s, III 6Gb/s | |
| disk SSD | |
| disk 3.5 bays total | |
| disk 2.5 bays total | |
| optical drive / 5.25 bays | |
| optical drive (blu-ray rd/wr? / dvd-wr?) | |
| 5.25 bays total | |
| usb 3.0 | |
| usb 3.0 – front | |
| usb 3.0 – rear | |
| usb 3.0 – top | |
| usb 2.0 | |
| usb 2.0 – front | |
| usb 2.0 – rear | |
| usb 2.0 – top | |
| ports slots net power | |
| hdmi | |
| dvi | |
| pci slots | |
| sata ports | |
| Ethernet RJ45 100Mbps or Gigabit 1000Mbps | |
| power supply | |
| Warranty | |
| Small Form Factor (SFF)? |
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List of Intel Chipsets <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_chipsets>
Notes
Processor
The difference between 3rd Generation and 2nd Generation intel processors is not that great:
EG,
| Feature | 2nd Generation | 3rd Generation |
|---|---|---|
| Graphics | HD 2000 | HD 2500 |
| Graphics | – | HD 4000 |
| Mem Speed | 1333MHz | 1600MHz 20% faster |
Store Notes
2/12/2014: BestBuy had no 4G Core i7 by HP (they had 3G Core i7, 4g Core i5, and Xeon, but not 4G Core i7)
Example Decision :
tbd
| proc | |
|---|---|
| item plce | price + shipping note shipping time |
Product variations :
| prod id | processor | memory | form factor | os | other os |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| e1z89ut | i7–4770 | 4gb | tower | win 7 pro 64bit | win 8 64bit |
| e1z??ut | i5–45?? | 4gb | tower | win 7 pro 64bit | win 8 64bit |
| – – – – | – – – – | – – – – | – – – – | – – – – | |
| f4k11ut | i7–4770 | 4gb | tower | win 7 pro 64bit | win 8.1 64bit |
| f4k13ut | i7–4770 | 4gb | tower | win 8.1 pro 64bit | win 7 64bit |
| f4k93ut | i7–4770 | 4gb | sff | win 7 pro 64bit | win 8.1 64bit |
| – – – – | – – – – | – – – – | – – – – | – – – – | |
| g5r??ut | i7–4770 | 4gb | tower | win 7 pro 64bit | win 8.1 update 1 (i guess) 64bit |
| g5r46ut | i7–4790 | 4gb | tower | win 7 pro 64bit | win 8.1 update 1 (i guess) 64bit |
| – – – – | – – – – | – – – – | – – – – | – – – – | |
| j6d??ut | i7–4770 | 4gb | tower | win 7 pro 64bit | win 8.1 update 2? 64bit |
| j6d83ut | i7–4790 | 4gb | sff | win 7 pro 64bit | win 8.1 update 2? 64bit |
| j6d87ut | i7–4790 | 4gb | tower | win 7 pro 64bit | win 8.1 update 2? 64bit |
| j6d89ut | i5–4590 | 4gb | tower | win 7 pro 64bit | win 8.1 update 2? 64bit |
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