I spend a lot of time on computers. I have 4 of them in the house and usually at least 2 or 3 are on simultaneously. I upgrade my machines at about 5-7 years after I buy them. So when I upgrade, it is usually a quantum leap. My first computer was a Timex Sinclair. Next, an 8086. That was followed by a 286 and then a Pentium. I built my first computer using an Athalon 1.3 GHz chip and it slowly acquired minor upgrades here and there allowing it to function for a full 8 years. As a matter of fact, it still runs great. New power supply, Dual Monitors, 1.6TB of SATA storage, DVD burner, Wireless NIC, etc.
So the question is now what? What do I replace this venerable workhorse with? Naturally I want a fast and quiet machine. One that won’t wake the family when I power it up. And hopefully video rendering times will fall rapidly from 12+ hours to something much more reasonable. I can only hope.
I tussled with buying a Mac, but I know Windows. Mac will have to wait for a botique opportunity later. I need this machine to work with all my current software. And I like being able to right click <grin>.
So I went to Dell since they got such a good write up in one of the video editing forums I was perusing online. Dell online customer service recommended the XPS630. Great looking machine. They even offered it with Windows XP. So I got interested. I configured my machine as best I could and then asked Dell to look it over. I couldn’t find the option for wireless NIC nor internal card reader so I asked. They couldn’t really help there…the “system” gave the combinations and the sales folks just sold those combinations. If I clicked on some of the other XPS 630 “configure me” links, I got different options for processor, HDD, video, and keyboards. Bizarre. I thought they were all the same XPS 630s. I guess some are more equal than others.
The Dell responses got slower and less focused. They really were nice and wanted to be helpful within the sphere of what they were allowed to do. But they couldn’t give me everything I wanted. So reluctantly, I began searching the web for something else. Something more responsive. I stumbled across Puget computers while visiting consumersearch. Puget’s website actually explained each component. And different builders/sales folks gave different opinions on the same product. But each of these opinions made sense even though they often differed, and yet were sometimes not what you would hear from a sales guy. Things like “we do not recommend this one…” or ” a little loud, but the price is right” (I’m paraphrasing to protect the innocent….) It was like having a real conversation with real people about a product in which they offered their real opinions, but were also the experts and not just random comments…
I liked their style so much, I configured a system and asked for a review. I got an answer in less than an hour. Not bad for a company that says they would get back to me in 24 hours. They gave good advice, I made some more choices, and now they are building my machine. Will let you know how it goes…(I get to see my machine being built…they post online updates. So far, I see that they ordered the video card which arrives later today. The rest of the parts are in stock and get built as soon as the video card arrives…. This is almost as exciting as watching maple syrup drip from a tree. You can’t take your eyes off it when it first starts to flow, yet there is nothing supremely unique in the process itself. It is just good business with great customer service. It is a wonder that we crave this so much, yet experience it so little. Just like good maple syrup.
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Here is the progress from the online build screen at Puget. Every day they kept provide me an update. It is almost like building it myself…almost. I get to watch the progress without the pain. I will keep this blog post updated as the computer gets built, tested, delivered, and then used in my home!
- Quote Submitted – 2008-09-08
Original configuration submitted by customer. - Order Submitted – 2008-09-09
Order submitted by customer. - Waiting for Part(s) – 2008-09-09 Updated By: Melissa
Video card is ETA 9/10 (tomorrow), beginning assembly of everything else. - In Assembly – 2008-09-10 Updated By: Melissa
All parts arrived, including the adjustment to a different case and PSU. - Ready for Installation – 2008-09-11 Updated By: Jeff
So if all parts have arrived, I wonder when they start building….
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Just checked on line 12 hours after my comment above. Looks like my question was answered! See the progress below:
- Build / Assembly Section certified completed by: Ruben
- Test the power supply for adequate voltage levels Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:03 AM
Your power supply is tested for stable output of all voltage levels (3.3V, 5V, 12V rails). - Check for post of mb/cpu/ram before mounting Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:05 AM
Your motherboard, CPU, and memory are tested outside your case to ensure they are in working condition before we take the time to assemble the whole computer. - Assemble the rest of the system, verify all parts Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:06 AM
Your system finishes assembly! We also double check all the parts on your order at this step, to make sure they are all correct, present and accounted for. - Check for post of fully completed system Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:08 AM
The completed system is turned on for the first time! - Update BIOS Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:10 AM
Your BIOS is updated to the most recent stable release. - Set Memory Speed, Timings, and Voltage Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:11 AM
We verify that your memory is running at the correct settings for best stability and performance (sometimes the motherboard does not automatically select the right speed). - Set QFan and fan monitor settings Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:13 AM
Special features are turned on to keep your system running quieter. - Set SATA controller mode Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:14 AM
We set the SATA controller to either IDE or AHCI mode according to the operating system. - Set Boot order Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:16 AM
Your boot order is set to Floppy -> CDROM (top drive) -> Hard Drive - Disable all unnecessary onboard devices Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:17 AM
All onboard items that are not needed are disabled (RAID, sound, video). - Verify all cards and cabling is hot glued Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:19 AM
All loose connectors and cards are hot glued in place to help prevent them from being knocked loose in shipping. - All bundled items boxed and area cleaned Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:20 AM
All manuals, CDs and accessories that came with your components are bundled and placed with the computer. - Phase 1 Testing Section certified completed by: Jeff
- All fans spinning at correct RPM Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:27 AM
All fans are confirmed to be spinning and properly controlled by any included fan controllers. - Front LEDs functional Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:31 AM
All front LEDs (hard drive, power) are confirmed to be properly hooked up. - Hard Drive Test Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:30 AM
Your hard drive has passed a full test by the manufaturer’s diagnostic tools. - CPU Test Jeff – 09/11/08 12:45:28 PM
Your CPU has passed testing at full speed. - Memory Test Jeff – 09/11/08 12:45:30 PM
Your memory has passed testing with MemTest86
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Update:
In Assembly – 2008-09-12 Updated By: Jon
Motherboard had a fault (it didn’t properly detect the hard drives). Replacing with new motherboard, and OS installation will commence on Monday.
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Update: I got a MOBO upgrade since the one that was destined for my machine is no longer in stock.
- Install / Setup Section certified completed by: Jeff Install Base OS Jeff – 09/15/08 03:02:31 PM
Your hard drive is pre-loaded with a base level install of the operating system, which is later customized to your order. - Install / update device drivers Jeff – 09/15/08 03:07:41 PM
All the most recent drivers (downloaded from the manufacturer) are loaded for your devices. - Uninstall Unnecessary Device Drivers Jeff – 09/15/08 03:07:41 PM
All software used for unnecessary devices that we disabled earlier is uninstalled, to keep Windows as clean and fast as possible. - Check Partition Sizes Jeff – 09/15/08 03:14:32 PM
We make sure that all your hard drives are correctly partitioned, and that any special instructions about partition sizes are followed. - Install Temperature Monitoring Utility Jeff – 09/15/08 03:09:38 PM
A temperature monitoring utility is installed to help us check your machine for adequate cooling. When the system is ready for shipping, we uninstall these utilities to keep the install clean. - Synchronize time with server Jeff – 09/15/08 03:07:43 PM
Your time is synchronised with an atomic US govenment clock. - Run WindowsUpdate.com Jeff – 09/15/08 04:28:21 PM
All Windows updates and service packs are applied. - Install all software and updates Jeff – 09/15/08 03:07:42 PM
All software on your invoice is installed and any applicable update packs are applied. - Update optical drive firmware Jeff – 09/15/08 03:07:40 PM
Your optical drive firmware is updated as applicable, to ensure best media compatibility. - Copy Feedback Icon to Desktop Jeff – 09/15/08 03:09:40 PM
A link is placed on your desktop to leave feedback about your computer. - Verify front ports (USB, firewire, sound) Jeff – 09/15/08 05:12:47 PM
All front ports on your case are verified to be functional. In some cases, it is not possible for all ports to be active (ie, if you have a sound card with no front audio support, we cannot hook it up to the front sound port on a case). - Verify floppy drive, DVD-ROM, card reader Jeff – 09/15/08 05:15:40 PM
All removable drives are confirmed to be included in My Computer. - Phase 2 Testing Section certified completed by: Jeff
- Double Check System Specs Jeff – 09/16/08 07:26:21 AM
Your system specs are double checked for any mistakes, using an automated utility we have built that not only checks for the right parts, but that they are configured correctly. - Test Standby Mode and Power Off Jeff – 09/15/08 05:10:44 PM
We put your system into standby and back, and turn system completely off and back on, to verify normal behavior. - Test Wireless Connection (if applicable) Jeff – 09/15/08 04:50:38 PM
If your configuration includes wireless, we check for normal reception, and test the component by copying a large file over our office wireless connection. - Test DVD-RW Burning Jeff – 09/15/08 05:14:43 PM
If you have a DVDRW drive, we burn a short movie to a DVD to test the drive. This DVD is next used to verify DVD movie playback. - Play Movie DVD Jeff – 09/15/08 05:15:41 PM
We play a movie DVD in your drive to confirm drive functionality, as well as codec installation. DVD playback software is installed if needed. Not applicable if you do not order a DVD drive. - Check for sound output Jeff – 09/15/08 05:15:40 PM
Your sound card is confirmed to output sound. - PCMark2005 Jeff – 09/16/08 01:45:20 PM
Various aspects of your machine are fully tested with PCMark 2005. - 3DMark Jeff – 09/16/08 01:45:22 PM
Your video card and 3D software is fully tested with either 3Dmark 2006 or 3Dmark Vantage deepending on the OS. - Upload Bechmarks and Temperature Logs Jeff – 09/16/08 01:49:50 PM
All the benchmarks taken during the phase 2 testing process are recorded on our server, providing you with benchmark scores, and providing us with statistical information that will help us assist future customers. We also upload our temperature logs, giving you a baseline you can compare to after you receive the system.
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Update September 20, 2008. The machine is built and has been shipped. Now all I have to do is wait and then *play* with the new *toy* when it arrives!
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