Desktop PCs - Do You Still Have Them?

[jut703]

In this age of laptops, tablets, and smartphones, desktop PCs have greatly fallen out of favor compared to their portable counterparts.

Back in college, I barely used my desktop and did most schoolwork on my laptop. Nowadays though, I find that whenever I'm home, I use my 8-year old desktop more frequently than my laptops.

Perhaps it's the larger screen and more ergonomic keyboard/mouse setup, or maybe the fact that I'm more productive when sitting on a desk, than if I was lying on my bed or on the couch with my laptop.

Still running with the ff. specs:

CPU - Intel Core 2 Quad (2.4 GHz, overclocked to 3.0 GHz)
Mobo - Foxconn P45A-S
RAM - 6 GB Kingston DDR2-800
Storage - 250 GB Crucial BX100 SSD, 1 TB Seagate Barracuda, 250 GB Samsung Spinpoint F3
HSF - Cooler Master Hyper 212+
VC - nVidia GTX 460 768MB
PSU - Cougar 550W 80+ Bronze
Monitor - Dell UltraSharp U2312HM 23" Full HD IPS

Pretty old setup, which clearly shows during CPU-intensive tasks, and it can't play the latest games anymore at max settings. I've sold my Logitech steering wheel so I don't play racing simulators anymore since time no longer permits.

However, for day to day use, it still does its job really well. After getting an SSD and a clean install of Windows 10, it boots in about 20 seconds, faster than any of my laptops (even my Macbook Pro). Recently upgraded my RAM and overclocked the aging CPU as well to avoid hiccups in Photoshop or Lightroom.

Feel free to share your desktop specs and stories as well. [emoji5]


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[Lew_Alcindor]

Meron pa kami. Whatever na paglumaan ni misis sa opis nila, binibili namin patra gamitin sa bahay. The last one we bought for Php4,000 (HP). Okay naman for general purpose usage.

[Calistro]

Still using my desktop for everything that is not related to work and important documents; used to be a photo editing machine when i still photoshopped and for prototyping applications when i still was involved with java. I doubt i would be looking for an upgrade soon since I don't look forward on playing the latest video games. Prefer doing work on laptops since i can move to other rooms when i want to. I want a dual monitor setup actually but cant justify it since i dont work on this pc anymore.
This is my 3rd desktop in a span of 15 years; would love to build a liquid cooled rig if i had extra resources.

Processor i5 3.30ghz
8gb ram ripjaws
Mobo asus h77
Radeon 6850
Psu corsir cx600
24in lg monitor
Edifier speakers
Razer gaming mouse
And a small dragon war keyboard.

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[oj88]

Since 2010, we have less use of our desktops at home since most of our web activities are done on iPads. But for productivity and specialized tasks like editing/rendering videos, authoring MS Office documents and such, you can't beat a desktop or laptop.

[maki mi]

The whole family shifted to laptops in 2003, we never looked at desktops since. Now I cringe everytime I remember that we were buying 11" centrino laptops with 512mb RAM and 40Gb HDDs at P80k! My latest buy is a 17" pentium with 3Gb RAM and 500Gb HDD at P20k!

[Vodka]

i still turn on my desktop but only when doing number crunching. it's watercooled with 5 cores running at 4.0ghz per core. not fast by today's standards

has serial-attached SCSI (SAS) seagate cheetahs running at 15,000 RPM. not SSDs

[jut703]

This is my 3rd desktop in a span of 15 years; would love to build a liquid cooled rig if i had extra resources.

Back in college I also dreamed of a high-end desktop. I even drafted builds every month so that when the time came that I could afford one, I was ready. However, now I can't even justify spending close to 100k on a computer - there are so many other things I can buy or invest with that money.

Since 2010, we have less use of our desktops at home since most of our web activities are done on iPads. But for productivity and specialized tasks like editing/rendering videos, authoring MS Office documents and such, you can't beat a desktop or laptop.

For mindless consumption like scrolling on social media, smartphones and tablets are much more convenient. However, I find that I still prefer my desktop for managing my finances, mail, and all other tasks that require my input.

i still turn on my desktop but only when doing number crunching. it's watercooled with 5 cores running at 4.0ghz per core. not fast by today's standards

has serial-attached SCSI (SAS) seagate cheetahs running at 15,000 RPM. not SSDs

Curious, what's your setup that results in 5-cores? I always thought those server-class multi-CPU setups were only available as even-numbered cores. Only thing I can think of that gives a total of 5 is a tri-core Phenom and dual-core Phenom, but I don't know much about AMD setups and whether their consumer-class processors are available in multi-CPU setups.


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[jaggerx3]

2010 mid range set up
CPU: Intel dual core 3.2 Ghz
Mobo: Asus (forgot the model i'll check later)
Ram: 2GB Samsung DDR2
Storage: 1TB Drive
VC - Nvidia GT350
Monitor: Cube 21 LeD

[dr. d]

i have yet to see a keyboard and mouse, that is more comfortable to use, than those on my desktop pc..
laptop keyboards are non-ergonomic.
tablet keyboards... only because there is no choice.

[thephantom]

Do I still have, yes. Do I still use, nope. Last desktop PC left in my bodega even has an old crt monitor (colored) and uses I think win 98 so it's that old. I did try to boot it one time. Gumana pa. Pwede pang dos games. Hehehe

[Mbootz]

The family no longer use the desktop..

I converted one of the laptops as my desktop by connecting an LED monitor, mouse and standard keyboard..
thus, having the mobility of a laptop when I need it and the convenience of a large screen and standard keyboard on normal days.

[Walter]

Using All-in-one HP desktop with wireless keyboard and mouse, intel Core i3.

[boomshine]

Yup, my phenom rig is still alive after 5 years [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23] phenom 2 x2 550be msi mobo amd radeon 7750 2TB hdd 8GB memory corsair vx450 psu

[safeorigin]

I don't see desktops going away to be honest. mobile devices have nowhere near the computational power of a proper PC.

I posted my build here a year ago: Riesenfischuhu Ausf. AE (First Build)

(have to be registered to see the images!)

in its first iteration, I was able to reach 4.7 GHz though it's incredibly difficult to push towards 4.8. Haswells just aren't known for pushing hard numbers, but hey! That's 50% overclock from stock!



CPU-Z VALIDATOR - this was validated when I still didn't have my current GPU and temporarily used an older one.

In its current iteration, using it as a multimedia rig

[Vodka]

Curious, what's your setup that results in 5-cores? I always thought those server-class multi-CPU setups were only available as even-numbered cores. Only thing I can think of that gives a total of 5 is a tri-core Phenom and dual-core Phenom, but I don't know much about AMD setups and whether their consumer-class processors are available in multi-CPU setups.


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oh it's its not a server CPU it's just a 6-core phenom that AMD sold as a quad coz 1 core is bad. so i just unlocked that good core and overclocked everything

[KenGarcia]

Meron kami isa dito which is ako lagi gumagamit. I love desktop computers. Lagi ako nag vovolunteer to help friends or relatives sa pamimili, pagbili ng parts at pag assemble ng desktop pc nila (sinasamahan ko pa sila sa malls or gilmore). Pero transition na kami sa laptops. Aside from space saving malaking tulong ung portability. Sa games naman sa console talaga simula pa nung bata and hindi na ako comfortable na maghabol ng specs para malaro lang ung favorite game ko hehe.

[jut703]

Yup, my phenom rig is still alive after 5 years [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23] phenom 2 x2 550be msi mobo amd radeon 7750 2TB hdd 8GB memory corsair vx450 psu

Ooh, the X2 550 BE, one of the best overclockers of the time. During that time though I preferred to build with X3s for the same price. What cooling do you use and what's your daily OC?

I don't see desktops going away to be honest. mobile devices have nowhere near the computational power of a proper PC.

I posted my build here a year ago: Riesenfischuhu Ausf. AE (First Build)

(have to be registered to see the images!)

in its first iteration, I was able to reach 4.7 GHz though it's incredibly difficult to push towards 4.8. Haswells just aren't known for pushing hard numbers, but hey! That's 50% overclock from stock!



CPU-Z VALIDATOR - this was validated when I still didn't have my current GPU and temporarily used an older one.

In its current iteration, using it as a multimedia rig

Nice G3258, brings back memories of the high-clocking Core 2 line with 50% overclocks. My PC's a throwback machine, still running an old Q6600.

I agree that desktop CPU computing power is phenomenal compared to its mobile counterparts. The first batches of i5 laptops were still struggling to outperform the C2Q in multi-threaded workloads.

However, the question is, for 90% of users, what's the point of all that computing power? If a bloke like me can live off an 8-year old chip, then all laptop CPUs should be sufficient for the majority.

In fact, the world hasn't really cared much that CPU development has stagnated in recent years. The last huge improvement would be the i5-2500K from the i5-750 (and even then it's not as big a jump as the i5 from the Core 2 Quads or the Core 2 Duo from the Pentium D).

Yet, everyday apps aren't even able to stress out first-gen i3s (i3-540 et al). This is in stark contrast to the old Pentium 4 vs Core 2 Duo, where you could really feel the increased responsiveness of the newer processor even in mundane tasks like web browsing.

oh it's its not a server CPU it's just a 6-core phenom that AMD sold as a quad coz 1 core is bad. so i just unlocked that good core and overclocked everything

Interesting that they still allowed core unlocking with the newer Phenoms. I remember building X3s before, unlocking them into X4s. Usually ran hotter than true X4s, but even a simple DeepCool cooler was usually enough to get temps to acceptable levels.

Meron kami isa dito which is ako lagi gumagamit. I love desktop computers. Lagi ako nag vovolunteer to help friends or relatives sa pamimili, pagbili ng parts at pag assemble ng desktop pc nila (sinasamahan ko pa sila sa malls or gilmore). Pero transition na kami sa laptops. Aside from space saving malaking tulong ung portability. Sa games naman sa console talaga simula pa nung bata and hindi na ako comfortable na maghabol ng specs para malaro lang ung favorite game ko hehe.

I know exactly how you feel, I used to be in your shoes a few years back - making builds for friends and family, shopping and assembling for them. What's your current rig?


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[KenGarcia]

Ooh, the X2 550 BE, one of the best overclockers of the time. During that time though I preferred to build with X3s for the same price. What cooling do you use and what's your daily OC?



Nice G3258, brings back memories of the high-clocking Core 2 line with 50% overclocks. My PC's a throwback machine, still running an old Q6600.

I agree that desktop CPU computing power is phenomenal compared to its mobile counterparts. The first batches of i5 laptops were still struggling to outperform the C2Q in multi-threaded workloads.

However, the question is, for 90% of users, what's the point of all that computing power? If a bloke like me can live off an 8-year old chip, then all laptop CPUs should be sufficient for the majority.

In fact, the world hasn't really cared much that CPU development has stagnated in recent years. The last huge improvement would be the i5-2500K from the i5-750 (and even then it's not as big a jump as the i5 from the Core 2 Quads or the Core 2 Duo from the Pentium D).

Yet, everyday apps aren't even able to stress out first-gen i3s (i3-540 et al). This is in stark contrast to the old Pentium 4 vs Core 2 Duo, where you could really feel the increased responsiveness of the newer processor even in mundane tasks like web browsing.



Interesting that they still allowed core unlocking with the newer Phenoms. I remember building X3s before, unlocking them into X4s. Usually ran hotter than true X4s, but even a simple DeepCool cooler was usually enough to get temps to acceptable levels.



I know exactly how you feel, I used to be in your shoes a few years back - making builds for friends and family, shopping and assembling for them. What's your current rig?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Student rig, i remember my mother gave me 8K pesos to fix my busted rig. Pang code, auto cad (2d), Sketchup (limited lang sa rendering) and web browsing: A6 - 5400K APU/ Gigabyte F2 A58m - DS2 Motherboard / G Skill Ripjaws 1866 2x2gb ram. Tapos Cooler Master PSU, 180gb Sata HDD, keyboard, monitor and other peripherals from my busted Athlon X2 250 rig. During my early years in CpE yun ung peak ng pagkahilig ko sa desktop pc. Graduating na ako i am still doing free pc troubleshooting and repair sa mga kakilala ko which i have been doing for the past 5-6 years i guess? Nag expand nalang kasi pati smartphones, tablets and other gadgets na may problema e sakin pinapatignan bago pagawa sa technician sa labas. Totoo lang siguro na nag iiba na ang hilig habang tumatanda. From TipidPC to Tsikot although wala pa akong kotse I am looking forward to learning a lot here and owning a real one years from now. Siguro kung meron mang hindi magbabago eh yung passion for technology
😀😀😀



Edit: Naalala ko bigla when I was younger I promised myself na bubuo ako ng 50K pesos worth desktop rig once na magka work ako.. Pero ngayon siguro bibili nalang ako ng PS4 plus 32" LED TV kasi NBA 2K and other sports games lang naman nilalaro ko. Haha.

[jut703]

Speaking of student rigs, yung Show Me Your Student Rig thread sa TPC nakakaaliw.

You have guys with P100k rigs...and then studying in so-so schools. Sana pinangtuition nalang nila sa matinong school.


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[KenGarcia]

Speaking of student rigs, yung Show Me Your Student Rig thread sa TPC nakakaaliw.

You have guys with P100k rigs...and then studying in so-so schools. Sana pinangtuition nalang nila sa matinong school.


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Exactly. Parang yung isang young lady (Pinay) na fan ng one direction. Makanood lang ng concert ipinambili ung pang tuition ng concert ticket. Nung tinanong ng nag iinterview paano nya daw mababayaran ung tuition fee nya ang sagot bahala na daw.

Kung ako magulang at ganyan gawin sakin ng anak ko I'll tell her na wag muna magpakita ng ilang araw sakin or else...

Minsan kasi ang expensive desktops parang expensive cars din, pang show off lang ng iba. And meron din akong mga kakilala na naka Gaming Laptop pero pang web browsing and nood lang ng movies.