best computer for web development?

[Lai_ney3]

i'm at the end of my first semester of my web development degree. i need a new computer and i was wondering what the best computer would be for web development. thanks for your help

[Stephen Philbin]

Well it really depends on your particular area is, what your specialities are and your personal preferences. Personally I wouldn't be without SuSE 9.1 Linux running Apache 2, Open SSL 0.9.7e, MySQL 4.1.7, php5 and whatever html editor. I use Bluefish myself. On hardware somewhere around 2ghz cpu with 512 - 1024mb ram and a 40gb HDD, or better specs. Around about that though, y'know. You could easily go plenty higher or lower depending on yer budget (thankfully the total cost of the software would be fook all though. ;)

Whilst that setup is ideal for me though, it'd be completely useless to many others. I have no intention of using Flash so any old html editor will do me fine and the OS is ideal for rolling out the latest versions of Apache, OpenSSL, MySQL, PHP and so on with no hassle. Whereas with a windows platform you are highly likely to run into some difficulties running them all together in exactly the way you need. The same would be true of trying to run a lot of MS stuff on Linux too. Portability is much better than it used to be, but I'd still much rather run the programs on the OS'es they "belong" on.

Not sure if C (if that is of any concern to you) is any easier to use to write applications on one OS or another though. My friend says he's having considerable trouble with it on Windows, but I've no idea if he'd have the same trouble on his Linux too. He hasn't writing any C on his Linux OS yet.

If you tell us which areas you specialise in, I'm sure some of our more experienced and knowledgeable members could be of more help to you. ;)

[Robert Wellock]

That depends upon what you intend on doing if you are going to use it for multimedia like movies than you’ll need something strong else a standard machine to run PHP, Apache and (x)html.

Think of what software you'll want to use.

[Lai_ney3]

hmm well.. i dont really know what i will be using. i havent done too much with web development yet. just a little bit of html using notepad. my last computer, which was a hand me down, crapped out and i need a new one. i have been asking around and ive been told that macs are good for graphics versus a pc. but i figured i would get actual web developers input before i go out and buy a computer.

[DaveSW]

In web development, the aim of the game is fast download times. So fast download times means small graphics. Which means you don't need too powerful a pc to build websites. e.g. as a backup pc I use an 800mhz p3 with 512mb ram. It's old, but it works just as well as my Athlon XP2000.

The only note I would make on that is that occasionally when working with graphics you make a high quality version before reducing the quality for the web. So lots of ram (at least 512mb) is a good idea. Other than that, you can use any fairly new pc that you want. particularly if you cut down the numbers of running programs etc to make it run faster.

[Khalid Ali]

For webdevelopment you really don't need a fancy PC as dave mentioned above the only thing that you might want to consider is 512MB RAM and in my opinion any pc will work for web development.
The only time when you need a better PC with development taks in mind is ehn you are developing hard core programs using Java/C/C++ or any other serious programming language,since they require better CPU(for faster compilations) and huge RAM for faster deployment and loading of newer and big IDE's

[PeOfEo]

Yeah, you can developer stuff on a 486 if you want to. But I suggest just making yourself (actually order the parts and assemble them) a quality machine for a low price. It is a far better deal then going through a major comp maker.

[Neczy]

Make sure to have a great deal of ram. I know my computer has 128 Megs of ram, but is a 2 gHz processor and it still is laggy when using photoshop and Dreamweaver together. Max the ram out.

[Lai_ney3]

thanks for all of the suggestions!

[Jona]

Get a G5 iMac - I hear 1.25GB of RAM on those things are great for web design (http://www.andybudd.com/archives/2004/12/the_one_where_my_g5_imac_finally_arrives/index.php). In fact, I'm planning on getting one for myself sooner or later. ;)

[Neczy]

I'm planning on getting a g5 sooner or later... I just need a job, money, time to go to this job. Heh. My ibook will suffice though...

[PhillMc]

I have to agree that you do not need a fast, fancy machine to do WebDev. My primary machine is a AthlonXP 1500 with 768 RAM and a 40GB 7200RPM WD HDD with 8MB UDMA buffer but I am able to do my work on my ThinkPad (333 MHz, 256RAM) just as well. Again, as stated earlier, it really depends on what you plan to do with machine. If just WebDev, then just about any machine will get the job done, provided you have the space for whatever apps you plan to install. :)

[PeOfEo]

Why buy a G5 when you can build a machine with 2gig of ram for less? Macs are pricy and you can't mod them without spending uber cash because hardware for them is pricy too. Look at the price of ram for macs, it is more expencive then ddr from any vender (or ddr2 for that matter I believe).

[Jona]

Originally posted by PeOfEo
Why buy a G5 when you can build a machine with 2gig of ram for less? Macs are pricy and you can't mod them without spending uber cash because hardware for them is pricy too. Look at the price of ram for macs, it is more expencive then ddr from any vender (or ddr2 for that matter I believe).

Because Apple is the only one who sells G5 iMacs maybe?

[BuezaWebDev]

Originally posted by Jona
Get a G5 iMac - I hear 1.25GB of RAM on those things are great for web design (http://www.andybudd.com/archives/2004/12/the_one_where_my_g5_imac_finally_arrives/index.php). In fact, I'm planning on getting one for myself sooner or later. ;)

If you get a mac, there goes your windows programming career down the drain. That also means, there goes your future money :( :P I've never heard of a corporation (other than Apple) that uses Macs as a standard :P

JK. Heheh.

[Jona]

Mac OS X Panther is based on UNIX, to begin with; second, you can get a PowerMac which is much more efficient than a Windows machine. I'm not a strong Windows believer. I honor Microsoft - they have and still do make some great products - but I want to try something else. More than just being able to test across multiple platforms, Macs look much, much better than Windows. The XP themes are okay for a little while, but they quickly become boring and ugly. I can't skin Windows XP without paying for it, and even then it takes up too many system resources for the computer to be practical. (Yes, even on a Pentium 4 at 2.8GHz with 512MB of DDRAM and 60GB of hard disk space.) I like the way the iMacs look. Eventually I want to go spend $3,500 to get the biggest toy I can. Just think, dual 2.5GHz G5 processors, 2GB DDRAM, 120GB hard drive, graphics card, 20" LCD monitor... mmmm... I need a job at an Apple-certified retail shop...like CompUSA. I wish they lived closer to my home, though. I need discounts, darn it!!

Anyway, a larger screen and less ugly environment is definitely helpful for web design, in my opinion. Why else do all the "big names" use Macs?

[Jupac]

I never liked the mac mouse only one button

[Jona]

Originally posted by lakers01
I never liked the mac mouse only one button

The less you have to click, the easier the system is to use. Think about it - you can right-click on Windows, but there is no need to on a Mac. This means that there are no "hidden options" and everything is constantly at your finger tips.

[Jupac]

O_o never thought it that way :cool:

[Jona]

Originally posted by lakers01
O_o never thought it that way :cool:

Me either, but you'd be surprised what you can think of when you're trying to protect your ideals! ;)

[BuezaWebDev]

You know what's really bad though?

Having to press the ctrl button on a mac and click just to get the right-click menu. :|

[Jona]

I'm pretty much a keyboard-only user anyway, though. ;) I just have to learn the shotcuts, and I'll probably mostly be using the keyboard. Just how I am. Anyway, I've been a bit opinionated here, so I'll quit.

[Neczy]

You can use a two button mouse on a mac, it just doesn't come with it. All you need to do is take your mouse from your Windows PC and put it onto the Mac. 'Nuff said.

[Lai_ney3]

well i ordered my new computer last night. here is what it is:
Dimension 8400Pentium® 4 Processor 540 with HT Technology (3.20GHz, 800 FSB), Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition

Memory ~ 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 400MHz (2x512M)

VideoCard ~ 128MB PCI Express™ x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon™ X300 SE

Harddrive ~ 80GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)

Network Interfece ~ Integrated Gigabit Ethernet

CD/DVD ROMs ~ Dual Drives: 16x DVD-ROM Drive + 16x DVD+/-RW w/dbl layer write capability

[Jona]

Good choice - you could use that for just about anything you need. :p How much did it cost?

[Lai_ney3]

about 1200 cant remember the exact cost, but i get a free printer and a 17 in flat screen too

[Chrisy]

Hi if you want to know what computer to use...... well let me see it's not a computer my friend got this new apple mac it was called apple mac G5 it's the best mac you can get under £1500.

I think this is the becasue mac/computer to use for it's easy to use and colourful not that matters What does matter that it has the fastest mac cpu of all time for a price under £1500.

Also one thing that has been in mac for years and what sets them apart form microsoft computer also what makes them so good for webdesigning is that for example if you were doing a logo in photoshop you can drag the work into the program you web site is in without having to import it or anything like that.

I know it's not a computer :) but thats my anwser

Thanks
Chrisy;)

[PhillMc]

Originally posted by Chrisy

I know it's not a computer :) but thats my anwser
Uhh, a Mac is a computer. Just because it's not called a 'PC' doesn't mean it's not a computer. lol

[PeOfEo]

Originally posted by Jona
Because Apple is the only one who sells G5 iMacs maybe? Uhhh, you missed the point. I am saying buying the g5 is retarded because of the price and an inherent lack of hardware compadibility when an os is modded for specific hardware. You can build an x86 machine that will be just as powerful for less and put unix or linux on it if you are one of those people who refuses to use windows.

[PeOfEo]

Originally posted by Jona
Mac OS X Panther is based on UNIX, to begin with; second, you can get a PowerMac which is much more efficient than a Windows machine. I'm not a strong Windows believer. I honor Microsoft - they have and still do make some great products - but I want to try something else. More than just being able to test across multiple platforms, Macs look much, much better than Windows. The XP themes are okay for a little while, but they quickly become boring and ugly. I can't skin Windows XP without paying for it, and even then it takes up too many system resources for the computer to be practical. (Yes, even on a Pentium 4 at 2.8GHz with 512MB of DDRAM and 60GB of hard disk space.) I like the way the iMacs look. Eventually I want to go spend $3,500 to get the biggest toy I can. Just think, dual 2.5GHz G5 processors, 2GB DDRAM, 120GB hard drive, graphics card, 20" LCD monitor... mmmm... I need a job at an Apple-certified retail shop...like CompUSA. I wish they lived closer to my home, though. I need discounts, darn it!!

Anyway, a larger screen and less ugly environment is definitely helpful for web design, in my opinion. Why else do all the "big names" use Macs? The macs look beter holds no water when you can make the pc yourself. http://www.msicomputer.com/casemod.asp

[Jona]

Peo, I'm not a hardware technician, and I do not build computers. I am a web designer/programmer. I do not know how to build a computer. Personally I'd prefer to buy a Mac that I know will work than buy pieces and hope they work after I put them together. It's not that I don't want to use Windows, but rather that I want to use a Mac. Compatibility isn't an issue at this point; I've made up my mind, that's what I want. The new Mac OS X Panther has a UNIX core anyway. What's more, a friend of mine has RedHat Linux and it's not user-friendly at all. I doubt any version of UNIX or any other version of Linux are much different. I've used Macs, too. I have many reasons for getting a Mac, and I have made up my mind. That said, what is an x86 system and what does it involve? As far as I know, the only Windows 64-bit processors are AMDs, but I have a Sharp Windows XP laptop with a 64-bit AMD processor, and it doesn't seem any faster than my Intel Pentium 4, even though mine is a 32-bit processor (I think?). My system claims to be x86...

[theuedimaster]

Originally posted by PeOfEo
The macs look beter holds no water when you can make the pc yourself. http://www.msicomputer.com/casemod.asp

Damn right *****es!

[theuedimaster]

Originally posted by Jona
Personally I'd prefer to buy a Mac that I know will work than buy pieces and hope they work after I put them together.

As far as I know, the only Windows 64-bit processors are AMDs, but I have a Sharp Windows XP laptop with a 64-bit AMD processor, and it doesn't seem any faster than my Intel Pentium 4, even though mine is a 32-bit processor (I think?). My system claims to be x86...[/font]

Okay, first of all, you don't just throw pc parts in together and "hope" that they work. You know. There is no guessing of sorts. You build the pc, and you know whats coming out. I may seem hard, but once you know how things work, it is a fun and easy process. If you mess up building, its cause you're a noob. Not saying that you are one :)

And also, the 64 bit capable processor at the moment works about the same as the 32 bit, is because the 64 bit one is running at 32 bit. Windows right now only will work at 32 bits. The new windows 64-bit will come out soon, and when it does, you'll see the performance on your 64 bit machine JUMP!!!

[Jona]

Originally posted by theuedimaster
Okay, first of all, you don't just throw pc parts in together and "hope" that they work. You know. There is no guessing of sorts. You build the pc, and you know whats coming out. I may seem hard, but once you know how things work, it is a fun and easy process. If you mess up building, its cause you're a noob. Not saying that you are one :)

And also, the 64 bit capable processor at the moment works about the same as the 32 bit, is because the 64 bit one is running at 32 bit. Windows right now only will work at 32 bits. The new windows 64-bit will come out soon, and when it does, you'll see the performance on your 64 bit machine JUMP!!!

Oh, really? So, are the new G5's already in 64-bit mode?

[PeOfEo]

Originally posted by Jona
Oh, really? So, are the new G5's already in 64-bit mode? No. The G5 is on an ibm power pc chip which is its own architecture and is only 64 bit. However, the amd 64 is something called x86-64 because they incrimented it to that (apparently you can make x86 whatever you want, they have done 128 bit on some weird systems in the past I have heard), but it is still a 32 bit x86 architecture with some 64 bit fun slathered on top of it so it can run a 32bit os fine. Right now the only linux that will run on a mac (well power pc, more like an ibm server not a mac) is yellow dog linux. I like ibm aix though which was designed for power pc, I would take that over any linux distro, or version of unix, any day. Also, there is another 64bit processor out there besides the amd64. It is the intel itanium2. It uses something different from x86 all together, it is on something called EPIC archtecture. But EPIC is a pain in the rear and hp seems to have said screw you to intel and stopped using it in their work stations because it is so aweful.

x-86: a CISC processor architecute, the most commonly used type of processor in the world. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X86

EPIC: Explicitly Parallel Instruction Computing, also CISC based.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explicitly_Parallel_Instruction_Computing

x86-64: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X86-64

power pc: This is a risc architecture made by IBM and used by all newer macs. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powerpc

some other architectures~~

mips: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIPS_architecture
sparc: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sparc
i960: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_i960
ia-64 (kinda the same as epic): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IA-64
iapx 432: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_iAPX_432
pa-risc: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PA-RISC_family

There are others, those are just some that were on wikipedia that I knew of.

But back to before, like theuedimaster said you do not hope the parts will work, you know they will when you order them. When you buy parts all you are doing is matching up a few numbers. Infact its really not difficult at all. But people assume it is brain surgery and do not consider doing it themself and spend double what they could have.

[theuedimaster]

Thats awesome! Thanks for the links PeofEo!

[Jona]

So you're saying I can build a Mac? I thought the OS would only run on an Apple-made computer.

[MstrBob]

I just thought I'd jump in here to ask a related-type question. I plan on building my next computer. I know I've been holding off a bit, but I recently had some unexpected expenses drain my wallet. :( Aye, but soon I wish to venture into building my first PC. But I'm stuck on the processor. Which should I go for? My processor choice will affect my motherboad choice, obviously. Now the computer I make is going to be around for a long while (or at least that's the plan). My old clunker that I've got (a Dell, no less) is five years old, and running XP. Only ever increased the RAM. Nice system, but aging.

What I want is to be forward compatible. I know I'll most likely be sticking to windows, as when I get some free time I wish to continue into my C++ programming on windows. In terms of Longhorn, what do you think it will require? Do you think I'd have to replace my system completely anyway? Or can I build a system now that will be able to handle longhorn without breaking the bank? So, I guess, three questions.

1) AMD or Intel? Which do you think is a great performance chip, that isn't too pricy(not too much higher than $150).

2) Should I get Windows XP Pro or some other Windows OS (Windows programming => Windows OS, not going *nix or Mac)?

3) Should I try for Longhorn Compatibility? What would that entail?

[theuedimaster]

1) You'll want amd64 939pin for the best forward compatability and performance. This is a steal: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=19-103-501&DEPA=1


2) You'll want to windows xp pro. Microsoft announced that anyone who has a license for xp pro will get a free license for xp 64 bit that will use your processor's 64 capabilities to its full potential.

3) Yes this baby will run longhorn no prob when it does come out.


Here is a system you can go with:

Processor: $154
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=19-103-501&DEPA=1

Motherboard: $129
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-510&depa=1

Harddrive: Really your preference... you could use your old one if it is fast enough........

Video Card: Again, really your preference... If you want the best then get a 6800 Ultra (like $500!!!)... if you want the best bang for your buck then you want a ati 9800 ultra aiw, this one will give you tons of capabilities and performance at a lower price that it should:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-297&depa=1

Case: Your preference. I'd go with thermaltake or coolermaster if you have the cash, antec if you want really nice performance at a cheaper price. These guys are reliable and will give you free shipping:
http://shop.upgradesource.com/product_info.php?products_id=412

Memory: Again, preference. At a minimum, you'll want 512 mb pc3200 memory. Here's a link to some cheap ones by a reliable brand; corsair:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-145-026&depa=1

Drives: Preference, i'd use your old ones

os: xp pro-
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=37-102-153&DEPA=6

you should be set!

[BuezaWebDev]

newegg is in american dollars, right?

I did a conversion with one of the canadian store selling that same mobo, and it was 188 in CDN, and 160 in CDN from newegg. Hrmm..

I guess it all depends on shipping. Shipping would be 10bux extra.

Newegg has some nice prices!

[theuedimaster]

Yea, their prices are awesome. But for processors and sometimes mobo, its cheaper to go with http://www.zipzoomfly.com everything there is free shipping except for cases.

[MstrBob]

Hmmm. Well, I'm replacing everything. Keyboard, mouse, monitor, drives, and all. Not much worth keeping.

So, I compiled what I'd need for a computer I'd be very happy with. About $950.

Alright, so I went to dell.com, just to compare. About $1090. Except the dell had a Pentium 4 at 3 Ghz with HT. The AMD runs at 1.8 Ghz, with 64bit that can't be utilized by Windows XP Pro, for now. Except for the processors, the rest of the specs are the same (even similar monitors). So, what do you think?

[theuedimaster]

Originally posted by MstrBob
Hmmm. Well, I'm replacing everything. Keyboard, mouse, monitor, drives, and all. Not much worth keeping.

So, I compiled what I'd need for a computer I'd be very happy with. About $950.

Alright, so I went to dell.com, just to compare. About $1090. Except the dell had a Pentium 4 at 3 Ghz with HT. The AMD runs at 1.8 Ghz, with 64bit that can't be utilized by Windows XP Pro, for now. Except for the processors, the rest of the specs are the same (even similar monitors). So, what do you think?

Okay, wel if you build it like I said you should then the AMD one is superior. First of all you're building it from scratch, therefore you won't have any propriety software on it that will slow your comp down. Second of all, the Amd 64 3000+ is more powerful the 3.0 HT intel processor. Ghz doens't matter when comparing amd to intel. Also, the motherboard that I said you should get should increase your performance substantially. All in all, I'd go with building your own if the specs are the same except for processor. I guarantee it will run faster. Plus, there is like a $140 difference between the two. If I were you, I'd upgrade the processor to like a 3500+ that would beat the pants off the 3.0 HT, or I'd spend 70 of it to buy another 512 ram, again beating the pants off the dell, and spend 70 on upgrading the vid, again beating the pants off the dell. With 1090, you'd have a much better deal building. Techincially, if you wanted to go intel, you'd also have a better deal building than buying dell. instead of getting a 3.0, you could get like a 3.2 or 3.4.

[MstrBob]

See now, my confusion arrises at comparing the two processors. I thought that Ghz is how many cycles the processor runs through in a give amount of time. A Gigahertz is 1 billion cycles a second, right? So wouldn't a 3 GHz pentium run about 1.2 billion more cycles a second than the AMD, so it can calculate more in a given second. So wouldn't that mean that it is faster, since it can do more in a given amount of time?

[Jona]

Originally posted by MstrBob
See now, my confusion arrises at comparing the two processors. I thought that Ghz is how many cycles the processor runs through in a give amount of time. A Gigahertz is 1 billion cycles a second, right? So wouldn't a 3 GHz pentium run about 1.2 billion more cycles a second than the AMD, so it can calculate more in a given second. So wouldn't that mean that it is faster, since it can do more in a given amount of time?

Yeah, I wondered this myself. In fact, I bought my computer with an Intel Pentium 4 processor (without HyperThreading technology). The speed I bought it at was 2.2GHz, but the system claims to be running at 2.8GHz. That's not a bad thing, I don't think, but why does it do that?

[PeOfEo]

Originally posted by Jona
So you're saying I can build a Mac? I thought the OS would only run on an Apple-made computer. No, You would need an ibm motherboard and a power pc chip to run the mac os, and some other neccessary stuff... so you pretty much have to go through apple. I mean you cant just really get those parts I don't think.

[PeOfEo]

If you want to make a good system and save some $$ doing it then I suggest this:
http://secure.newegg.com/app/WishHistoryReview.asp?position=HISTORY&submit=VIEW&ID=1137734

I am an intel man myself btw. I do not like amd 64 that much because I think it is too pricy for its performance, I mean it runs like an intel chip because nothing really utilizes 64 bit yet in the desktop world, so all I see is an intel like running temp.

[Jona]

Originally posted by PeOfEo
No, You would need an ibm motherboard and a power pc chip to run the mac os, and some other neccessary stuff... so you pretty much have to go through apple. I mean you cant just really get those parts I don't think.

Then my only option would be to buy a G5 iMac with say 256MB of RAM and a good processing speed, then upgrade the memory manually (as Andy Budd has done, which apparently saved him some money)? I do want a Mac, though, so if I ever need a super computer, I'll ask about building my own. Thanks.

[PeOfEo]

Originally posted by Jona
Then my only option would be to buy a G5 iMac with say 256MB of RAM and a good processing speed, then upgrade the memory manually (as Andy Budd has done, which apparently saved him some money)? I do want a Mac, though, so if I ever need a super computer, I'll ask about building my own. Thanks. Why do you want the mac os though? There are plenty of good unix versions and linux distros? I am dual booting mandrake right now and I love mandrake.

[Jona]

Originally posted by PeOfEo
Why do you want the mac os though? There are plenty of good unix versions and linux distros? I am dual booting mandrake right now and I love mandrake.

Macs have a really neat GUI, I want to be able to use Safari, and I need to experience a Mac for myself. I can't just be a Windows user all my life, and Linux seems way too hard to understand. Plus you get all kinds of weird errors that make no sense at all, or programs crash for no apparent reason. I just don't understand the system at all. How much different is Redhat from Mandrake? I doubt very much.

[PeOfEo]

Originally posted by Jona
Macs have a really neat GUI, I want to be able to use Safari, and I need to experience a Mac for myself. I can't just be a Windows user all my life, and Linux seems way too hard to understand. Plus you get all kinds of weird errors that make no sense at all, or programs crash for no apparent reason. I just don't understand the system at all. How much different is Redhat from Mandrake? I doubt very much. It is. Mandrake is much more friendly. Mandrake and SuSE are pretty danred user friendly, and who needs safari when you have konqueror. Linux is not hard to understand, the setup is pretty easy, after that what is to know? How to login to root and type text in the command line? With mandrake I do not even have to log into root.

[theuedimaster]

Originally posted by MstrBob
See now, my confusion arrises at comparing the two processors. I thought that Ghz is how many cycles the processor runs through in a give amount of time. A Gigahertz is 1 billion cycles a second, right? So wouldn't a 3 GHz pentium run about 1.2 billion more cycles a second than the AMD, so it can calculate more in a given second. So wouldn't that mean that it is faster, since it can do more in a given amount of time?

See the difference is that each clock cycle an athlon goes through accomplishes more work. Here is an analogy:

You can compare the two processors like gears on a bike. If you go on a lower gear, you can pedal less, and go x speed. This is an athlon processor. If you go on a higher gear, you have to pedal more to do the same speed. This is a pentium processor.

Pentium can basically pump out tons of more cycles, but accomplish less per cycle than Athlon. This usually makes them give the same performance. It is just that, right now, AMD is giving the better performance (IMO), but even intel fans can't deny, the 939 pin socket will give you more options on upgrading in the future.

[Jona]

Theuedmaster, how then do you tell actually how quickly a computer can process data, if not by its CPU speed?

[theuedimaster]

Originally posted by Jona
Yeah, I wondered this myself. In fact, I bought my computer with an Intel Pentium 4 processor (without HyperThreading technology). The speed I bought it at was 2.2GHz, but the system claims to be running at 2.8GHz. That's not a bad thing, I don't think, but why does it do that?

Go here:

http://www.lavalys.com


Download a program called "Everest Home"

This will tell you everything you need to know about your comp. When you turn on the program double click computer, then overclock... Under CPU speed and cpu clock it will tell you exactly how fast your cpu is going. Tell me what you get in mhz.

[Jona]

Doesn't overclocking burn or otherwise damage your processor?

[theuedimaster]

Originally posted by Jona
Theuedmaster, how then do you tell actually how quickly a computer can process data, if not by its CPU speed?

Benchmarks and such. Basically, a short hand for comparing intel to amd is, the 3000+ is as good as the 3.0, the 3200+ is as good as the 3.2 and on and on....... that is the easy way to compare them. (*I still think athlon is better value and performance AT THIS CURRENT TIME.. Intel might come up with something that is better in the future, who knows.

[theuedimaster]

Originally posted by Jona
Doesn't overclocking burn or otherwise damage your processor?

When I was referring to overclock, it is a folder in the program which will tell you info about your processor. Thats all. Actual overclocking can damage your processor if done incorrectly. If done correctly however, you can greatly increase performance. I myself have increased my 3.0 HT P4 to about 3.2 ghz. My cooling right now sucks, when I upgrade it, I'll probably be able to push it much more.

[Jona]

It says the CPU Clock Speed is 2801.79MHz.

[theuedimaster]

they must of given you the wrong processor then :)

[MstrBob]

I, on the other hand, am running at 863.82 Mhz, less than advertised. Which may be one reason why your live preview javascript is so damn laggy, Jona!

[theuedimaster]

lol :) !!! mstr bob, you could probably up your processors mhz a little to be the same as what it should be. Just go the bios, and up your fsb little by little.

[Jona]

Originally posted by theuedimaster
they must of given you the wrong processor then :)

Most definitely. The computer cost roughly $1,200 and I got the 2.2 or 2.4GHz processor. 2.8 was another two hundred dollars.

[MstrBob]

At the risk of exposing my ignorance, how exactly would I go about that?

[theuedimaster]

Originally posted by MstrBob
At the risk of exposing my ignorance, how exactly would I go about that?

Okay first of all, here is a good source for overclocking info:
http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=114889

Second of all, this is how you can make your processor what it should be. First of all download everest like I mentioned in a post before this, so you can check your stats when you do it. Now, when you start your computer, before it hits the windows startup screen, you want to enter bios setup. This usually means pressing delete, or f1, or f8, or esc. When you go in there, try to find where it lists the front side bus. (Note this is when working with an intel). Slowly up the number which it says, probably press enter on it, and change it by 1 or 2. After each up, just open a game and play it. If an error occurs, that means you've reached the limit. Go back to the bios, and go down one step tell you are stable. Thats the basics.

[PeOfEo]

If you have the ability to use a motherboard monitor / windows overclocking utility please do. Get yourself a nice voltage and bus before you put it into bios.

[Gex]

so what graphics card is best for a web developers computer, Geforce 4+ or is there another make which is better? :confused: the compan i am working on need to be able to open photoshop and dreamweaver plus the internet and graphics so what would be best for them to have..

[BuezaWebDev]

To open photoshop and dreamweaver and surf the internet only requires a sufficient amount of ram and a regular processor speed.

I'm running 1.8GHz and 1GB of ram--it's more than enough to surf the web, use photoshop, and play around with dreamweaver.

My next computer is going to be 64bit for sure though ;)


:: An onboard graphics card is good enough if you're trying to be radically economical.

[Gex]

cheers man lol so what do i need to think about in this computer then?

[LiLcRaZyFuZzY]

wha! another old thread!

[PhillMc]

To open photoshop and dreamweaver and surf the internet only requires a sufficient amount of ram and a regular processor speed.

I'm running 1.8GHz and 1GB of ram--it's more than enough to surf the web, use photoshop, and play around with dreamweaver.

My next computer is going to be 64bit for sure though ;)


:: An onboard graphics card is good enough if you're trying to be radically economical.


I must agree, as I'm running on less processor (1.3 GHz) and significantly less RAM (256 PC2300) and I do all types of development/editing with no problems. I'd say that you could build my configuration for 300 US, maybe less.

Wow, this is an old thread... last reply was nearly a year ago.. lol

[LiLcRaZyFuZzY]

yeah, im wondering how they do find it..with the search function?
plus, when i post in a thread, i usually watch the date of the last reply..hehe

[David Harrison]

Good luck trying to buy a GeForce 4 or lower, unless you look at second hands ones on eBay or something. GeForce FX's are getting pretty scarce now too but they're still out there in some stores.

Basically, just get the cheapest nastiest no-name brand graphics card you can find, but as was mentioned earlier, you don't even need a graphics card if you have onboard graphics on your motherboard.

[nightwolfz]

my 999mhz with geforce2 is the best computer ever

[PhillMc]

my 999mhz with geforce2 is the best computer ever


It may be a decent system for coding purposes, but I wouldn't say the best ever.

[Sunny G]

I don't think I need to say which manufacturer I wouldn't go for...
Dell < HP

[LiLcRaZyFuZzY]

yeah sunny...we all read your thread..;)

[Sunny G]

Dimension 8400Pentium® 4 Processor 540 with HT Technology (3.20GHz, 800 FSB), Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition

Oh............ You got a....................... Dell.
*he says as he goes and prays to the HP gods for mercy on your soul

[Sunny G]

yeah sunny G...we all read your thread..;)
My masterwork!

<spanish insult>
¡Callete! ¡Eres antipatica porque eres celosa porque te gusta mi nombre más que tu nombre! ¡Hay un G en mi nombre! ¡Mi computadora de Compaq es mejor que tu computadora!
</spanish insult>

Wow, that is what... the third time I've insulted you in spanish?

[LiLcRaZyFuZzY]

¡Mi computadora de Compaq es mejor que tu computadora!
¡Yo no pienso tan!

[Sunny G]

Sooooooo.... You used an online spanish translator. ¿verdad?

[Mausau2000]

lol

Get HP or other Dell's are...........
<spanish>Stupido</spanish>

[Mausau2000]

oops itatian :)

[Sunny G]

<spanish>Stupido</spanish>
Dude, stupid in spanish is estupido.

[LiLcRaZyFuZzY]

Dude, learn reading, he said "oops, italian" aka "itatian"

[David Harrison]

Also ... this thread was ELEVEN days old. Why did you resurrect is just for that?

[LiLcRaZyFuZzY]

It was him!

[Sunny G]

itatian?
That looks nothing like Italian.

[David Harrison]

Careful Sunny, you're showing off your intellect.

[LiLcRaZyFuZzY]

:p

[Sunny G]

Ouch.

[Mausau2000]

itatian?
That looks nothing like Italian.
In My eyes it does.......
U also thought the picture may of been Japanese :)

[Sunny G]

I only speak english and I'm learning spanish- Both languages use pretty much the same characters which look nothing like japenese!

[LiLcRaZyFuZzY]

Can't you guys write correctly ?
Japanese
Italian

;)

[David Harrison]

LCF raises an interesting point, how come you never spell anything correctly Mausau?

[Mausau2000]

My Spelllign not good becuse i think speeling as Keyboard....
Like i think bob and i think of the word bob on keyboard
My spelling is the result of DOVERAK 2 QWERTY keyboard :(

[David Harrison]

So why not just buy a keyboard that you can use.

[LiLcRaZyFuZzY]

Now don't say it's your keyboards fault!

[Mausau2000]

:)
Keyboards cost money i have no money :mad: