My New PC

[kwselke]

I started this morning with a Dell Inspiron 530 on my desk. It sported an Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 four core processor, 4 GB RAM, a discrete NVIDIA Graphics cards with 500 MB video memory, a TV tuner card, and dual 20" monitors. It dated to 4/20/2008. The only upgrades I did on it were swapping out MS Vista for Windows 7 which cost me $50, and I added a $25 USB WI-FI card when I finally got a WI-FI router.

Yesterday a new 24" monitor arrived and I was expecting a new Dell to arrive today. I moved the old system to another room and prepared for the arrival of a new Dell Inspiron 3670 with an Intel Core i5 8400 six core processor, 8 GB RAM, a discrete NVIDIA graphics card with 2 GB video memory, and Windows 10.

The old 20" monitor looks pitiful as a second monitor when it sits next to the new 24". Since the new PC does not have a TV tuner card, I think I may get a 24" 1080p smart TV to use as a second monitor. Now that I'm retired the second monitor gets used mostly for entertainment anyway.

The new machine with Windows 10 was a snap to set up. The only issue I've had is sluggish WIFI speeds. The old machine is still running and is a capable machine. I just did not see any reason to wait until January 2020 when Microsoft ends extended security support on Windows 7 to get a replacement machine up and running.

I've had home computers since January 1983 and worked with countless PCs at various businesses. My old Dell is the best machine I have ever owned or worked with. I'll keep it as a networked backup to the new kid on the block.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I love it when you talk dirty.

 

[billwill]

A BIG change that you will enjoy

 

[Onomea]

I'm just glad those graphic video cards are discreet....

 

[LVSteve]

I started this morning with a Dell Inspiron 530 on my desk. It sported an Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 four core processor, 4 GB RAM, a discreet NVIDIA Graphics cards with 500 MB video memory, a TV tuner card, and dual 20" monitors. It dated to 4/20/2008. The only upgrades I did on it were swapping out MS Vista for Windows 7 which cost me $50, and I added a $25 USB WI-FI card when I finally got a WI-FI router.

Yesterday a new 24" monitor arrived and I was expecting a new Dell to arrive today. I moved the old system to another room and prepared for the arrival of a new Dell Inspiron 3670 with an Intel Core i5 8400 six core processor, 8 GB RAM, a discreet NVIDIA graphics card with 2 GB video memory, and Windows 10.

With either machine, that's a LOT of levels of Doom.

 

[rwsmith]

I've had good luck....

I've had good luck with Dell's.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Good luck with the new rig.

Running Dell's update utility might help with the sluggish wifi. Maybe a new router would help. I saw better performance recently when our Apple Airport Extreme router got replaced by an ASUS AC3100.

 

[muddocktor]

I've built my own desktops since the late 90's. I used to be a computer geek, but finally got bored with building hopped up desktop computers and got back into guns again. I hardly ever use my desktop machines any more; just use my laptop. Which reminds me, my laptop is acting like it's on it's last legs. I guess it's time to shop for a new one.

 

[wood714]

I've been using dual monitors for years.

Gives me a place for all the Photoshop tools, and a duplicate copy of the image I'm editing.

You got a nice set up.

 

[Milton]

Very nice setup you have ! I do not know if you are comfortable working on your PC but if you are one change that will really speed things up is to change out the HD for an SSD.

 

[kwselke]

Good luck with the new rig.

Running Dell's update utility might help with the sluggish wifi. Maybe a new router would help. I saw better performance recently when our Apple Airport Extreme router got replaced by an ASUS AC3100.

Thanks for the tip. Running the Dell Update and installing five recommended drivers helped right after the reboot, then the speed dropped off again. I figured something in the background was causing problems with my speed test. I ran "Fresh Start" which reset Windows to the most current version and wiped the application software, including free samples. I then reinstalled the Dell Support programs and found new drivers for the motherboard chips set. Installed those. Now I'm consistently getting ~7.5 Mbps down and ~1.4 Mbps up. That's in line with what my old computer and my Moto X4 get on WiFi, and the promised performance on my AT&T Internet only plan. Before this exercise the new Dell was getting ~4.75/1.2 Mbps on WiFi.

 

[LVSteve]

Thanks for the tip. Running the Dell Update and installing five recommended drivers helped right after the reboot, then the speed dropped off again. I figured something in the background was causing problems with my speed test. I ran "Fresh Start" which reset Windows to the most current version and wiped the application software, including free samples. I then reinstalled the Dell Support programs and found new drivers for the motherboard chips set. Installed those. Now I'm consistently getting ~7.5 Mbps down and ~1.4 Mbps up. That's in line with what my old computer and my Moto X4 get on WiFi, and the promised performance on my AT&T Internet only plan. Before this exercise the new Dell was getting ~4.75/1.2 Mbps on WiFi.

My wife's Win10 laptop came with a games app that was CONTINUALLY polling the web for updates to the games. I'm talking 25% or more of one of the processors whenever the computer was on. I put an end to that nonsense and the speed increase was out of all proportion.

 

[Wise_A]

I'm running triple monitors--three 1920x1080 22" monitors, two Asus and a very old Samsung that just won't die. It's rather handy for writing stuff, as I can have two spare monitors open with reference material.

Graphics card is a Gigabyte 1060 6GB. I really need to upgrade my CPU--it's an older Core i3.

 

[Marine Corps Air]

Congratulations on that new Dell!

I've been using workstations for a long time and continue to be pleased with the performance and reliability.

Unless Dell has changed their policy since I was an employee, they will provide free 30-day support to have your system up and running at the level for which it was designed to be. Back in the day, after contacting technical support I had to answer questions and explain what was happening. For several years now they can connect remotely to your PC via the Internet and work through any and all of the issues that may be preventing the top performance of your new system while you have a cup of coffee or a cool one! Works for me!

Bill

 

[kwselke]

I've had a couple of days with my new machine and the Windows 10 operating system.

I am impressed by some things and chuckle at some things. Windows 10 has some well developed features, it also haunts back to the animated paperclip that wanted to teach you how to use a computer.

I knowingly bought a Dell Inspiron, which has limited upgrade potential because of a budget motherboard. I would have preferred a higher dollar XPS model made of my dream components, but this new machine's ability is nothing to be sneezed at, and at this point in my life I cannot justify state of the art computer systems for my personal use.

Today I learned how to transfer .jpg files from my Android phone to Windows 10 using Bluetooth. It works, but using a USB cable to make the transfer is easier.

By the way, I ordered a 24" LG Smart TV in 720p to serve as my new monitor 2. It should be here on Friday.

It's a whole new world to me. I welcome it. I feel for the folk stuck in... flip phones were good enough for James T. Kirk in the 1960s, so they are good enough for me mode.

 

[johngalt]

I spent the weekend setting up Linux Mint on a virtual machine (VMWare). It isn't as nice as my Mac, but works better than I expected. I do data science/machine learning, getting the tools installed wasn't as easy as on the Mac. A lot of packages had dependencies that aren't properly configured, which caused failures to install.

I'll give it a try to see if it is worth spending $$$ on a real machine.

 

[TX-Dennis]

I had an old Dell that may have been an identical twin to yours. Same case, same processor, and an Nvidia graphics card. I did upgrade the graphics card to a newer/better Radeon, though. It was a good computer. I used it for about 5 years. Then I gave it to my son who used it for about a year. Then he gave it away to a buddy who needed a computer but couldn't afford one.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Today I learned how to transfer .jpg files from my Android phone to Windows 10 using Bluetooth. It works, but using a USB cable to make the transfer is easier.

More ways to skin that cat. If you have a Google account tied to your Android phone, the you can have all your phone photos automatically backup to Google Photos in the Cloud, and then access them through the internet on your computer.

 

[chief38]

Good luck with it! Sometimes you get a GREAT one and other times a Stinker! I hope you get the GREAT one!

I'm a Mac / Apple man myself and have GREAT luck with them.

 

[andy52]

I'm using a Dell in my shop but my monitor is a bit larger then the one you have. The monitor locks up to the ceiling when I'm using that portion of the bench. The keyboard is wireless and PC is wi-fi.