Can a New Computer Be Too Fast?

Written by:  Dan Daily 

Hi Gang!

Many of you have written ready to buy a new computer and want to know the differences between them.  Finally, you're asking if you need the biggest baddest fastest computer around.  Do you?

Let's find out.

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Can Fast Be Too Fast?

This is a subject that intelligent people can disagree on and God help me with the geeks out there.  Yes, today's systems can be too fast, and most new ones are!!!  There; the lone voice in the Universe, I said it.

Actually, no system can be too fast, but the question is about buying a new system!  Chances are almost 100% if you buy the biggest baddest system in the store, you're wasting your money.

Past The Point Of Diminishing Returns

I'm not saying that you don't need the fastest computer around.  But, if you do, you already know why, if you don't know why, you don't need the fastest computer around!

The computer manufacturers are going to hate me for this but:  For today's Internet and common applications that you use on your system, computers passed the point of diminishing returns a long time ago.  Unless you're a CAD user or a gamer, you certainly don't need the fastest.  Gamers are never happy with any machine despite the fact that the vast majority of today's games can't possibly use the machine to it's max.  Even the new "X" box gaming counsel:  I'm not aware of one game that even uses 1/4 it's potential!   Simple as that.

The Reason Is Simple

Though development in your hardware has been clipping along at a normal pace, development of software hasn't.  There just isn't a new application that needs all that power.  Video boards come and go at least every six months.  Oh, to be sure, each new one can do more then the last, but how many games out there actually benefit?  Very, very few.  This lack of a new "Killer App" is partially the reason for high speed Internet connections not being the huge overnight success the industry thought they would be.

Killer App?

Yes, killer application.  In my opinion, the next really big step in computer technology should be a fully holographic display.  Instead of a screen, you'd have a stage and 3-d characters would be all around you.  (ever been to Disney World?)  Instead of trying to develop flat panel displays, which are highly inferior to CRT's. (picture tubes)  The industry should be developing holographic displays.  This would require a powerful computer and a powerful Internet connection.  See what I mean gang?  A real "Killer App."

Flat Panel (LCD's) versus CRT's (Picture Tubes)

I figured I better bring this up after what I just said:  You know?  Consumers are fickle.  I've never understood how that works.  Take the VHS/Beta VCR wars.  Beta was FAR superior to VHS and what does the consumer pick?  VHS.  This is happening again with flat panel displays.

Flat panels, by their very nature, are extremely slow and view directional.  What do I mean?  Like a rear screen TV you have to sit dead center to it to see a clear picture.  What's worse is if you have a large display, this is actually impossible to achive because of how close we sit to our monitors.  The outside edges can actually be off axis 20% if you sit dead center and say, two feet away.  They are also extremely slow, the next time you have the craving to buy one, find one in the store that's turned on and pop a DVD into the computer and watch a movie.  I've never seen even the most expensive flat panel monitor be able to handle a DVD smoothly.  I'd cut a hole in my wall to fit a CRT monitor (and have) before I'd own a flat panel monitor!

They're pretty?  They're cool looking?  

SO WHAT!!!

AMD Athlon vs Intel Pentium 4

Many of you out there think if you don't buy a Pentium you somehow won't be compatible with today's software.  This is not true when it comes to AMD processors.  The only issues involved in not being PC compatible is if you were to buy a Mac.

The difference between the Pentium and Athlon in it's most simplistic form is this:  The Pentium has tons of tiny pipes running the data.  The smaller the pipe, the faster you can jack up the speed of the pipe (clock).  Athlon, on the other hand, has far fewer pipes that are much larger.  The clock can't be turned up as high, as data will crash into one another,  but much more data can fit through the pipeline per clock cycle.  That's why lower speed Athlon chips perform as good, or better then a "faster" Pentium 4.  Learn it, know it, live it!  Clock speed has nothing to do with system performance any longer!  That's Intel's dirty little secret and we won't even go into the cost savings of buying an Athlon.

So It's True?

Yes, in my opinion it's certainly true.  For the common folks that use a computer for e-mail, taxes, word processing, and most gaming.  You know, like 99.9% of you?  I'd rather see you with a slower computer packed to the hilt with RAM memory then the fastest computer that isn't.  If you have at least 512megs of RAM, you'll see a HUGE performance boost.  Much more then you'd see if you just bought a faster processor.

The Inner Circle

Ready to Buy Your Next System?

OK gang, lets get to it:  Buying a new machine?  First, let's see what you need:

Do you have a nice 17 inch monitor now?  Keep it!  Save your money.  I have one that's on it's fourth computer and it still works great.  I only took it off this system because I bought a 19.  Have a 15 incher?  Get a new 17.

Have a good Printer?  Have a good Scanner?  Keep them!  Save your money.

The point of me saying this is any money you don't have to spend gives you more to spend on your new tower.  Let's put the money where it needs to go and not waste it.  This is how I shop.  Like Stereo equipment, never walk into the store asking what you want.  Ask what you need.  Do this for the rest of your life, you'll never stop thanking me.  Really.

First Things First:  Brand Name?

The brand you buy is really a personal issue.  I've heard some bad things about Dell and Gateway so I'd want to be cautious.  Many of you swear by your Dells.  Far less of you swear by your Gateways.  I have a Compaq and it's my second Compaq.  If I don't build a custom system the next time around I'll get another Compaq.  I've never had any trouble with them.  They cost a little more but you get what you pay for.  

But even Compaq's are full of Compaq crap you don't need; and if you buy one, you must contact Compaq and buy the restore/wipe CD as they no longer come with them if you don't use the Compaq Backup system.  It's all pluses and minuses gang, I can't recommend a specific brand name.  

Also, you won't see a recommendation for a Pentium 4.  I don't like them.  They've been resting on their laurels far too long, slower clock speed Athlons either pace or beat them in raw performance.  Intel Celerons and AMD Durons are also out.  If you were interested in a 700.00 Wal-Mart system complete with printer and monitor, you wouldn't be reading this.  They are excellent starter systems, not upgrade systems.

Try to stay away from on-board graphics.  For some reason they are slower then separate video cards and usually share your system RAM instead of having their own.  Make sure you get AGP graphics.  (Accelerated Graphics Performance, most all are today)

The Budget System

If you're on a budget and must get the most for your dollar, I'd recommend an Athlon 1.2ghrtz processor as a start.  It's not the biggest baby on the block but she'll sure turn some heads!  They're now very cheap and very powerful.  My 1.1 is a year old and FAR from being obsolete.  Load it up with system RAM, at least 512 megs worth.  RAM is still cheap and is the biggest performance boost you can get for any processor.  

Get a graphics card with at least 32megs of on board RAM and you'll have a knockout system.  I'd also recommend a CD/RW burner and a DVD player.  You don't need the DVD player but they're cheap.  Get at least a 40gig harddrive and if you have a little extra, get a second drive for backup.  This configuration is a killer computer and won't be obsolete anytime soon, if ever.  This system should be around 1000.00 complete.  (tower only)

More Money To Spend?  Want To Go All Out?

Then you have more options:  I'd go with an Athlon 1600 ((XP 1800 or 2000) equivalent to a Pentium 2000) or better with at least 512megs of DDR RAM.  The Video card should have 64megs of DDR RAM. (R RAM is a waste of money)  The specs for the harddrive should be the same as above but you want a 7200 RPM drive. And again, a nice CD/RW drive and a DVD player to round out the system.  The prices on this system will vary to what ever happens to be on sale.  I would say around 1300.00.  (again, the tower only)  You will probably die before this system is ever obsolete!

Speakers!

This is so important it deserves it's own section.  There is only one type and brand to buy!  Go to Wal-Mart and for around 100 bucks, pick up a set of Monsoon Flat Panel Planer speakers.  (flat panels have no speaker cones)  These are killer, true audiophile speakers.  Monsoons home stereo planers are 2000 dollars!  Try a music CD on these babies and I guarantee they'll sound as good, or better then your home stereo system.  They've received a PC Magazine "Editors Choice" award for the very same reasons.  These are the ONLY speakers to buy!!!

What Is My System?

I currently run a 1.1 Athlon with 640megs of RAM.  A 60gig drive with a 40gig backup drive.  A TNT Pro graphics card with 16megs of RAM.  A CD/RW, a DVD player and a set of Monsoon Flat Panel Planer Speakers.  Topped off with a Mag 19 inch monitor.  I also have another Radion 32meg graphics card running a 15inch Aspire monitor. (I have a dual monitor array)  Couple this with a 3000k cable Internet connection running through a Linksys Etherfast router (to share the Internet connection with my other computer) and you have a dream system that takes no prisoners!  This is the only system I've ever owned that after a year old, not only isn't it obsolete, it's not even close!  It is just AWESOME Gang!!!  Oh, and by the way, I've never seen a game this system can't run with ease.  I'm sure there are some, but I haven't seen one.  The Dan Daily Sites main web page completely loads in four seconds max.  How much faster can you get?

New computer are truly at "The point of diminishing returns."

I hope this helps you on your road.  Your Road?

Yes, Your Road To Computer Sanity

                              Danny