Do you have a Good Computer for IM?

I have a very powerful machine but I don't think it's all that necessary for IM. I'm running a Core 2 Extreme with 8 gig of RAM. I'm also running Windows Server 2008 with Hyper-V so at one time I was hosting my own websites. I recently changed that because the dynamic DNS service I was using screwed up and I couldn't update my records anymore. Virtually everything I do on this machine for IM makes "0" demand on the machines resources except video editing. Everything else I could do with a laptop. Of course it would be a pain in the butt because the laptop doesn't have dual monitors. I usually have 5 or 6 programs open at once.


All that being said I just like fast powerful machines... Come to think of it I like fast powerful cars and boats and motorcycles and...

The truth is that virtually any machine today is way more than fast enough to do anything needed for IM. 99% of all speed issues that people have with their machines is due to the crap that they allow to get on their machines.

Probably the #1 thing you could do to address all speed issues is to get a quality anti-virus / anti-malware like Trend Micro. Stay away from Norton and McAfee they are resource hogs. You want something aggressive with a small footprint.

You also don't want a bunch of stuff running in the background. Probably shouldn't have any more than about 50 processes running at any given time. Clear out the startup menu. Google "startup Programs MSCONFIG"

Build your own

I use 3 laptops, I do all my writing research and design on my Samsung R350, my acer laptop is constantly running scrapebox, sick submitter magic submitter, AMR ,BMD and a few other tools and my third laptop which is a toshiba acts as backup , to top it all up they are all linked to my Iphone and IPAD via a remote desktop app called teamviewer that way i can still do all my work when I'm up and about.

I only have the one computer and it must be coming up to 6 years old now.

It is an Acer 5050 laptop and this thing has took some beatings over the years.

I replaced the hard drive coz the last one crashed on me.
I dropped it a few times.
The fan works overtime, constantly.
I have replaced 2 power packs.
It has had about 5 major virus attacks.
I run a ton of programs off it daily......

...and the freaking thing is still going!!!

I would love to get myself a new comp though.

I didn't mention my Specs:/ I'm running an: (PC)
i7 Quad core
500GB Hardrive
1GB Radeon 550 , I think. (Want to Upgrade to a Nvida or have an SLI)
Wins 7 64Bit
22in screen.

I game a bit on my PC , I'm also upgrading for BF3. Also I Play FSX , If you've played it you'll know how hard it is to get Good FPS.

I did think about building my PC and would of have it Water Cooled. That would be Sick! But I went out and brought one.

As I said my Present for getting my First $100 is a New video Card.

Intel 2 core with 4GB of ram. It's good enough for me.

yes, I have 3 computers.

The latest is a Dell with "8gigs" of RAM and 1 terabyte hard drive... and everything you can think of install on it.

I have a Laptop from Toshiba. it has "4 gigs" of RAM and 350 gigs Hard drive.

Also, have E-machine with "2 gigs" of RAM 150 gig hard drive. My wife has a small Dell laptop and i have no idea what she does on the thing (LOL)

I've been looking into the Thinkpads. What did you use before that?

That's where older machines don't hold up, imo. Without my upgrades, I wouldn't be able to keep up with the work I do now. I usually have a dozen proggy's running myself, and at least 2 browser windows with a dozen tabs in each, so I can't afford to get bogged down.

Amen to that. Both are the best out there, imo.

Search through the off-topic forum. You'll find at least a half dozen recent threads of people asking opinions for new laptops/desktops. Of course, you'll get lots of different opinions, but Mac and Dell's are definitely at the top of the list.

If you're a musician or graphic designer, Mac is your best bet. For business or personal use, save your money and buy a Dell. You can't wrong with a Dell. This is my 2nd, and every family member and friend I know has one based on my recommendation, and everyone absolutely loves them.

And you are cute as a button, girlfriend!

True, true, and yes. I should write up a post detailing all the software I use to keep my machine healthy and running smoothly. I go onto all sorts of 'shady' sites, but I've never had a virus or bot or malware or anything else of the sort in many, many years.


Having one custom built is definitely a good option. I recently looked at Dell and, putting in all the bells and whistles I wanted including accessories and screens and such, it was around $7,000. Trust me, I could build the exact same computer for less than half of that, and it would be an absolute monster.

That's true. People get all kinds of crap on there machine they don't know about. Most of that sort of stuff can be stopped (or at least slowed down immensely) just by changing a few settings.

Wait until you have a dozen programs running in separate windows, a half dozen different desktops, and music playing in the background. I'd be willing to bet your CPU would stay at 100% and you wouldn't get much done at all. In fact, it would probably burn up fairly quickly. While some comps are certainly overpriced, there is a HUGE difference between a $200 eMachine and an $800 Dell, even though the 'features' list may look the same on the box.

When you up- and download as many files in a day as I do, and surf as many sites and pages, you have to have a high-speed connection.

That was, and still is, the main investment in my business. Without it, there is no business. And yes, at least 2 monitors is crucial, at least for some of us.

Yeah, right. I've done it with an old, slow machine and dial-up internet, and trust me I'll never go back. I couldn't even put into words how much more productive I am now because of a good system and connection.

And just wait until that laptop crashes and you're out of business for a few days to a few weeks. You won't be thinking that cheap computer is such a good deal, then.

Obviously, you have to start with what you can afford, but if you're doing this for a living, you really need a good computer (not necessarily the most expensive, but rather a good, reliable one) and a fast connection.

But if you're a professional IM'er, meaning you do this for a living, you can't afford to not invest in a quality computer. It would be like asking a professional auto mechanic to start buying all his tools at Sears.

How can you have 6 Cores? I7 , I5 and I3 are Quad core. Three Graphics Cards! I thought you could only get SLI?

I game on my PC so I need it to be Good. If you've ever heard of FSX , it takes a Good computer to run That on Max.

You are right, if you can afford go for the best. I also have one 6 Core pc just built, but mine is AMD.

Main computer is an 21.5 Imac, I also use a Macbook Pro as backup and to use when I'm away from home. For me reliability is a must I only use the machines for IM.