New computer advice

[Dancing Bay]

I own an embroidery business. I have top level digitizing software which I just upgraded. My current computer does not meet the specs and while the software will run, it's slow and crashes a lot. Sometimes a few times a day and sometimes more than a few times an hour, depending on what I'm doing. I have the minimum specs for the software. It looks like I need to be looking for a gaming computer and probably build my own (son can put it all together). I've spent more than to many hours online trying to find a desktop or laptop that fit the specs and so far, no luck. Part of it is that I really don't know enough about all the specs to make a good decision, mostly on the video card. Here are the minimum spec:

-64-bit 3.0 GHz Quad Core Genuine Intel Processor (prefer faster than 3GHz)
-Microsoft Windows® 10 (64-bit) (prefer Pro)
-Video Card NVidia® GeForce® GTX 1050 Ti with 4GB GDDR5 Graphics memory (or comparable)
-CD-ROM drive
-4 GB RAM (would prefer at least 16GB RAM)
-At least one Universal Serial Bus (USB) Port, but really need at least 4, but more would be nice.
-ability to connect to LAN so I can network my embroidery machines.

For my requirements:
- as small form factor as possible or a laptop. My space is very limited.
- ability to connect at least 2 monitors

approximately what am I looking at price wise here so I can set a budget. Where should I be looking for parts.

Thanks,
Alisa

 

[WildCard999]

This should meet your requirements but your going to want to make sure the GPU connections will work for all of your monitors.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-8400 2.8 GHz 6-Core Processor ($193.89 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - C7 40.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($32.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - H310M-ITX/ac Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($83.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: ADATA - XPG GAMMIX D10 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($97.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Crucial - MX500 500 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($67.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4 GB ACX 2.0 Video Card ($159.90 @ OutletPC)
Case: Fractal Design - Node 202 HTPC Case ($77.96 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair - SF 450 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular SFX Power Supply ($85.43 @ OutletPC)
Total: $799.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-01-08 14:36 EST-0500

 

[Dancing Bay]

I'm with you on everything but the processor speed. It's probably that I just don't understand CPU's, but in the title, I see 2.8 GHz, but then down in the description, I see "3.70 GHz up to 4.70 GHz Max Turbo Frequency / 12 MB Cache". I'm more software than hardware, so have a surface understanding of most things computer, but not the intricacies of the capabilities of the different components.

 

[WildCard999]

It says 2.8 but will boost each processor as needed. So for single core performance the core will boost to 4ghz, if the program is using 3-4 cores then it will boost to around 3.8, if it's all 6 cores they will boost above 3ghz but I don't know the exact number. Pretty much it boost CPU cores based on what's required.

 

[Dancing Bay]

Thank you for the explanation. I think that essentially what you're saying is that the Turbo speeds give a better indication of overall processor speed, so I don't need to spend the extra $$ on a processor that actually has 3.0+ in the title.

 

[WildCard999]

Thank you for the explanation. I think that essentially what you're saying is that the Turbo speeds give a better indication of overall processor speed, so I don't need to spend the extra $$ on a processor that actually has 3.0+ in the title.

Correct.

 

[Dancing Bay]

As far as monitor connectors, I had to get a little creative with adapters to get it all to work on my current setup. So, even if the GPU connections aren't exactly right, I'm assuming I can work around that. I do need to check both monitors to see what the connectors are on each one.

 

[WildCard999]

As far as monitor connectors, I had to get a little creative with adapters to get it all to work on my current setup. So, even if the GPU connections aren't exactly right, I'm assuming I can work around that. I do need to check both monitors to see what the connectors are on each one.

That would be a good idea, if you do have to use adapters they need to be active to work with the 10XX series GPU's.

 

[Dancing Bay]

question... The specs say I need a CD ROM drive. I have a USB one that I used with a previous computer. Will that be sufficient?

 

[WildCard999]

question... The specs say I need a CD ROM drive. I have a USB one that I used with a previous computer. Will that be sufficient?

Yup that would work fine and if you need more then 4 USB ports then a USB hub would work well.

 

[Dancing Bay]

I have one more question and that's on the operating system. I want to be able to connect to this computer from home so I can work from home, without having to slog my security device (aka dongle) back and forth. About $5K to replace if I loose it, so I don't want to loose it. So, that said, I think Windows 10 Pro would be what I want. SO... OEM or Full. Is there any difference in the actual OS, other than the delivery (download vs. usb drive) and customer support?

 

[WildCard999]

I'm too sure about the networking with Windows 10 but I don't think you need Pro for it, pretty sure Home would suffice.

 

[Dancing Bay]

I think it's just easier to do with Pro, but I tend to agree that Home will work. I'm going to try setting it up on my current computer situation and see how hard it is before baseball season gear.

 

[Dancing Bay]

Another suggestion for a CPU Cooler? No one has any right now. Can't find it on the Amazon website anymore.

 

[WildCard999]

Another suggestion for a CPU Cooler? No one has any right now. Can't find it on the Amazon website anymore.

The stock one may be sufficient enough for your workload, try it first.

 

[Dancing Bay]

I found this memory while filling my cart at New Egg... https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16820233831. On sale for next 7 days listed in the top 12 of best ddr4 ram for 2019 at picochip.com. Checked that it is compatible with the motherboard in your recommendations.

Is there a reason that the ADATA ram would be better for my needs? or will the Corsair be a better choice seeing as it's on sale right now.

 

[WildCard999]

That would be fine for your system, memory speeds don't make a big difference for Intel CPU's.

 

[dancingbay]

This computer is built and in use. However, my embroidery software is still crashing. I've looked at Hardware Resources > Conflict/Sharing and there are a few conflicts. PCI-to-PCI Bridge.

I took a screen shot, but cannot figure out how to attach it.

Thanks,
Alisa Davis
Dancing Bay Embroidery

 

[dancingbay]

 

[dancingbay]

 

[dancingbay]

Is this 1 or 3 drivers and should I update drivers?

 

[dancingbay]

My son came and downloaded drivers from the ASRocks website and all is good now.