Compaq nothing but trouble
 

I should have known better than to buy a prebuilt. I told myself last time I built a machine that I would never again buy another prebuilt machine, but I didn't listen to myself. This is a dual core AMD 5400+ w/ 3gb ram running Vista, which you would think would be decently quick... NO. My old machine with AMD 4000+ and 2gb and XP blows this computer away, and was super stable and never crashed. This piece of shit crashes nearly daily, and has a terrible startup time. Takes nearly 5 minutes after Windows loads for whatever in the background to settle down and let me actually use my computer. I just had an issue with Explorer and Rundll32 both crashing and restarting over and over and over. Somehow after nearly an hour, I got it back with system restore. I cant wait to replace this crap pile with another new machine running XP.

Anyway, who else here is running a home built machine, if so what specs? I always love building on the cheap from newegg with "outdated" parts from late last year that are nearly as good, but like 1/3 the cost. My last one only cost me ~$500 including new case, p/s, motherboard, processor and ram, reusing old drives, and was equal in specs to a $1500-$2000 prebuilt machine (for 3 years ago standards).

PS, the biggest thing that was freaking me out is the fact I have something like 15k songs, and probably around 1/4 million pictures and videos (about 250gb worth) not backed up on another current drive. I need to get an external for backup so bad. I would shit if I lost my 6+ years of saving.

I feel ya, I got a laptop for college, and altho its a spec'ed out XPS, I really wish I had built myself a desktop when im gaming.

My machine for at least 5 years was an Alienware. It started off as a custom built machine from AW. As the years went by I changed every piece in it except the case and the power supply. It was nothing to fancy to todays specs, P4 1.8 gig, with 2 gigs mem, Radeon 9800 Pro 256 mem, dual 90 gig HDs in raid array with a 60 gig mirrored to C, and some soundblaster 5.1 audigy card. Well it finally took the big shit on me before Christmas last year. After going to CC and seeing what I could get a new PC for Vs building, I bought one. I got a HP Pavilion with intel dual quad core processors, and 3 gigs of mem from the factory. This machine is flawless, fast, and has not given me any issues. Plus I was surpised at how little extra BS it had installed on it. Pretty much Vista, and some HP system monitor and thats it.

Maybe it is time to stray from AMD and go to Intel? I have built a couple of AMD machines too for friends, and there is no comparison. The Intels are more stable.

+1 for intel, AMD really has nothing that can keep up right now. The new P7 is sweeeeet.

Im not sure what it is about Intel I hate so much. I haven't run an Intel machine for quite a few years (Intel Pentium II anyone), so maybe its time I give them a try again. I really am liking the Phenom II X4 3.0Ghz though, not sure which way I will go. My last AMD machine kicked ass, even when there were probably Intel processors that had better specs.

Since the lawsuit/agreement between Intel and AMD, Intel has had the upper hand in the CPU department. This is why AMD bought ATI so they could get a semi-fresh start in the GPU field. In the agreement between Intel and AMD, AMD had to hand over their blueprints of their latest cores, which at the time were the BEST in the market. Intel took these blueprints and made what is now the Core Solo and Duo line of processors. Intel is adding to what AMD had with on board memory controllers for faster system bus speeds, thus supporting DDR3 (PC8500-PC16000) alot better.

Go with Intel. AMD is sadly loosing. :crx:

really, now that the P7 is out, I wouldn't even consider building a machine with any other chip.

dude it is a prebuilt and it runs like shit take it back and get another it is malfunctioning no computer sub windows 95 should take 5 mins to laod.

I would have to say you are wrong. I work on computers for a living and the most common thing I have been getting for the past few months is why their new computer is taking so long to load. With Windows Vista and Norton, that comes preloaded on HP and Compaq computers, 2-4 min startup times are fairly common. Most of the time Norton is to blame, along with some other antivirus programs. But over all I have yet to see Vista perform as well as XP on general performance.

Windows 7 seems to fix a lot of the performance problems of Vista though. It is just a matter of time before Vista is a thing of the past.

dunno my laptop's and desktops running vista boot fairly well and run well.

I have to agree here. (I also do IT & programming for a living) The OS is not the problem. NA6C would be best served by wiping out the OS and reinstalling (note you can do this w/o formatting the drive, so your data is safe) and then selectively installing the security apps, etc. that you want running on it. This is the same story as always...manufacturers crudding up otherwise decent systems with their crapware.

Its still not worth wasting my time on. It may have a decent processor and ram, but it has a shit mobo. I miss actually having a decent BIOS where I could monitor and change stuff. This computer is bare bones junk.

I built my desktop about 3.5 years ago realizing that in 3.5 years my laptop would probably have a broken battery and be a mobile desktop then anyway.

I've been using my Thinkpad for about 3 years now and it is still going strong. Never have to shut it down or restart (running Linux). Screen has been cracked and replace twice and batteries aren't that bad. I buy new cells and replace them myself so its about $50 for a "new" battery. Not to bad seeing as a normal laptop battery is around $120. I've only had to replace my Thinkpad's battery once so far.

Just replace the shit board you have then.

But it will still be shit. I don't want decent, I want good. Which is why I am building another to my liking, not just making what I have work.

Then why argue. Go with Intel. Get 4 GB of ram if you are going to run Vista. 3-4 for XP. Asus or DFI mobo with a 500W PSU and be done with it. :vash:

Nah. It will maybe be Intel, and not sure on the mobo, but it will be more than 4GB, and will be running SLI or Crossfire gpu's, and surely more than 500W. Even my old system had issues with a 550W psu. Going to shoot for at leasy 750-800W

I've got Cooler Master RS-850-EMBA 850w Power Supply PSU SLI - eBay (item 300294744048 end time Apr-18-09 17:38:07 PDT) for you for $100 shipped and it's brand new.

Intel Q6600 Quad Core @ 2.7ghz
G.Skill 4 gigs of ram @ 290mhz 1T Timing.
Gigabyte UD3R Motherboard
3 640gig Caviar Black drives in Raid 5
EVGA 260GTX Superclocked video card
Razor Barracuda AC1 sound card
Enermax 565 Watt PSU

Running Windows 7 Beta, scoring 5.9/7 in the windows - how good is your computer - rating.

Easily 3.5 times faster then my 4400X2 machine in everything.