New desktop computer

Mag07

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May 6, 2013
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10,510
I'm looking into a new computer for business. My current computer has RAID and I was wondering if I needed this. The computer I'm looking into has a HDD and a SSD. I also run regular backups on a ext. HD.
 
Solution
Honestly, any of those machines will get the job done. Based on the tasks you are performing, I don't think you are going to gain much from any of these as far as future proofing. However, You don't need any dedicated graphics to do word processing/internet. So an Integrated Graphics system would save you some money. I don't think the Pugetsystems you chose is quite what you want, you are paying a lot extra for things you don't need. For best future proofing, you just want a fast processor and a lot of RAM. (RAM is cheap these days). You definitely don't need raid, but keep up your backups as you have been doing. The HP on top has the best processor of the bunch (without overpaying), but that computer is running Windows 8. Personally I...

HVDynamo

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Feb 6, 2008
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What sort of applications are you going to be using on this computer? That will help taylor recommendations more to suit your needs. The only reason to run raid is either for more performance (not really necessary on a business workstation typically), or for redundancy. If you are running regular backups then a raid isn't going to help you much except for allowing you to keep the workstation up and replace the bad drive without significant downtime. The SSD is going to give you performance enough for most workstation tasks. Also, could you link us to the computer you were looking into?
 
no one needs raid 0 and it's not as safe as a single drive. So if that's what you had no, you absolutely don't need it, especially when your getting an SSD.

If you had raid 1 or another level and work with absolutely critical irreplaceable data you may want it. It protects you from a single drive failure, but you still need backups. Most people don't need it at all, the backup is sufficient.
 

Mag07

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May 6, 2013
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10,510
http://shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/products/Desktops/HP-ENVY/C9D52AV?HP-ENVY-h8-1540t-Desktop-PC&jumpid=reg_r1002_usen_c-001_title_r0001

http://shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/products/Desktops/HP-Pavilion-Elite-Phoenix/D7W28AV?HP-Pavilion-HPE-h9-1215t-Phoenix-Desktop-PC

http://shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/products/Desktops/HP-Pavilion/B4J27AV?HP-Pavilion-HPE-h8-1360t-Desktop-PC

http://www.shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/products/Desktops/HP-ENVY-Phoenix/C9D63AV?HP-ENVY-Phoenix-h9-1440t-Desktop-PC

These are the 4 computers I am looking into and 2 support RAID.

I'm looking for overkill. This way I will be somewhat futureproof. I se a company system that looks like an old DOS system of which I'm told it's not. Word processing and the internet. I do a lot of pemits and customs work. The routing sections are graphic intensive and the permits are timed so I need a fast processing speed.
 

Mag07

Honorable
May 6, 2013
16
0
10,510
http://www.pugetsystems.com/nav/obsidian/customize.php?parts=20328,2970,20146,19877,20030,160,95,20154,16372,19923,20242,12419,19856,12393,116,12394,96,97,20301,9065#

This is another consideration also.
 

HVDynamo

Distinguished
Feb 6, 2008
283
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18,810
Honestly, any of those machines will get the job done. Based on the tasks you are performing, I don't think you are going to gain much from any of these as far as future proofing. However, You don't need any dedicated graphics to do word processing/internet. So an Integrated Graphics system would save you some money. I don't think the Pugetsystems you chose is quite what you want, you are paying a lot extra for things you don't need. For best future proofing, you just want a fast processor and a lot of RAM. (RAM is cheap these days). You definitely don't need raid, but keep up your backups as you have been doing. The HP on top has the best processor of the bunch (without overpaying), but that computer is running Windows 8. Personally I don't like Windows 8, but if you do then disregard this point, but otherwise I would see if you can get it with Windows 7. But, any of these systems will get the job done for you.
 
Solution