# How does this computer system stack up? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 25, 2011, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-this-computer-system-stack-up/597539 "2011-09-25T07:55:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-this-computer-system-stack-up/597539/1 "2011-09-25T07:55:42Z")
This will be the house work horse, but I also need it for gaming (Mainly Civilization V). I would appreciate knowledgeable Dopers thoughts about the system as a whole: Specs: Processor: Intel Core i7 2600 3.4ghz 8mb Retail Box Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD3 Desktop Motherboard Memory: G.skill 8GB Kit DDR3 Ripjaws X C9 1600mhz Hard Drive 1: Ocz Vertex 2 60GB 2.5" Ssd 285/275 Hard Drive 2: Wd Caviar Black 3.5" 1TB 7200/64mb/SATA3 Graphics: Evga Gtx560 Ti Fpb 850m/4104m 1gb/DVI/HDMI Power: Thortech Thunderbolt 850w 80plus Gold Modular Psu It comes with a gaming keyboard and mouse, and a 23 inch monitor. Also Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit. Anything you think should be improved? ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-this-computer-system-stack-up/597539/2 "2011-09-25T11:43:17Z")
Specifically which mouse, which monitor, and which keyboard? What about the CPU heatsink? I’d drop the SSD and go for a pair of 2 TB drives (RAID 1). What about backup? Get an external USB 3 HDD. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-this-computer-system-stack-up/597539/3 "2011-09-25T11:48:44Z")
Thanks Quartz. You’re probably getting beyond my appreciation (which is why I asked). The link to the system is [here.](http://www.ple.com.au/ViewKit.aspx?KitId=602221) It’s all Customable, and the mob who build them have a good reputation. The mouse is a Razor Abyssus and the Keyboard a Razor Arctossus. However, there are other ways it can be configured. Although I know what heat sink is, I don’t think it is mentioned in the specs. Oh- and a 23.6 inch Samsung Monitor. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-this-computer-system-stack-up/597539/4 "2011-09-25T12:56:58Z")
> [@Cicero](#): > > Thanks Quartz. You’re probably getting beyond my appreciation (which is why I asked). The mouse, keyboard, and monitor are the items with which you interact, and thus deserve the most attention. > [@](#): > > The mouse is a Razor Abyssus and the Keyboard a Razor Arctossus. However, there are other ways it can be configured. I’m not familiar with either but they look pretty standard. > [@](#): > > Oh- and a 23.6 inch Samsung Monitor. This looks fine but I am concerned about your attitude to it. You really need to have a really good think about your primary means of interaction with the PC. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-this-computer-system-stack-up/597539/5 "2011-09-25T13:23:17Z")
Quartz, I hope I am not coming across as too oafish, but why is the primary means of communication with the PC so important in this case? It has a mouse, keyboard, and a monitor- I would have thought that the capability of the system itself was more important. I’m getting myself confused here. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-this-computer-system-stack-up/597539/6 "2011-09-25T13:59:06Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > The mouse, keyboard, and monitor are the items with which you interact, and thus deserve the most attention. I don’t agree, especially about the mouse and keyboard. Yes, you should buy a good monitor, because you probably won’t replace it unless it’s really bad. But the mouse and keyboard cost, generally, under a hundred bucks. And they’re easily replaceable by any user. So if you replace them later, it’s not a big deal. (On the other hand, you can’t easily upgrade or replace the video card, processor, motherboard or hard drive. So you’re stuck with those once you get the system.) ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-this-computer-system-stack-up/597539/7 "2011-09-25T16:22:03Z")
> [@Cicero](#): > > Quartz, I hope I am not coming across as too oafish, but why is the primary means of communication with the PC so important in this case? > > It has a mouse, keyboard, and a monitor- I would have thought that the capability of the system itself was more important. > > I’m getting myself confused here. No, I don’t think you’re not getting yourself confused; I think you’re getting your priorities wrong. Your demands on the computer are quite light. When you use your computer you interact using the monitor, keyboard and mouse. You **do not want** eye strain or RSI. (Been there, spotted symptoms in time to prevent damage.) You want a keyboard and mouse that are good to use - and FWIW I’d suggest a trackball rather than a mouse. Further, you want the best colour rendition that your budget allows. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-this-computer-system-stack-up/597539/8 "2011-09-25T16:39:32Z")
Is the SSD for caching the hard drive? If not, it’s a bit small for a primary drive. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-this-computer-system-stack-up/597539/9 "2011-09-25T18:06:33Z")
The computer looks fine Cicero. It’s a bit overkill but it ought to work fine for the next four years. Personally, I’d rather have two identical harddrives than one solid state and one regular but your set up wil work too. Keyboard & mouse are personal things. Maybe you’ll like them, maybe you won’t. No way to find out until you try them. You should consider a bigger monitor though, or a several monitor set up. That machine is more than powerful enough for a bigger display. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2011, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-this-computer-system-stack-up/597539/10 "2011-09-26T01:23:49Z")
Thanks folks forall your input. SCR 4, I would think that is what the SSD is for given the other drive is 1 TB. Merneith, thanks as well. The thing is customable so I can get a different monitor if I want. I only have a 19 inch one at present so the bigger one will probably seem huge anyway. As for the mouse and keyboard- I’ve always just used what has been available and never given them a great deal of thought so again these will probably seem like luxury. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2011, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-this-computer-system-stack-up/597539/11 "2011-09-26T04:03:39Z")
I’d definitely urge you to choose a high-quality monitor. Preferably one that has an IPS panel. Last year I bought a dirt-cheap 24" monitor thinking it would be serviceable as a second screen; it was worse than useless, it was almost painful to use. (The view angle was so narrow that I had to move my head around to read the whole screen.) ---
**Author:** ![Sin\_Serially](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Sin\_Serially](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sin_Serially)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2011, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-this-computer-system-stack-up/597539/12 "2011-09-26T23:13:42Z")
Typically the (small) ssd is used to host the OS and a the most frequently used apps. Will greatly decrease boot times and coupled with the 8 gigs of ram you should experience very snappy overall system response. Namely loading programs and alt-tabbing out of full screen games and such. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2011, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-this-computer-system-stack-up/597539/13 "2011-09-26T23:58:03Z")
Yeah, but with the computer Cicero describes, boot time and alt-tabbing shouldn’t be a problem whether he uses a SSD drive or not. I mean, ssd’s nice and all, I’m just not convinced they’re really a bang-for-the-buck component. I’d rather put the money in either 16gb of RAM or a 30" monitor.