My New Computer
October 10, 2008 Posted by Tyler Cruz
A few days before I left for Vegas I discovered that my right 19-inch monitor suddenly died on me. I had been noticing problems with it (both of them actually) ever since purchasing them over 2 years ago. They’re both Acers, which probably explains the problem right there, and I’ve had banding issues on both of them since I can remember.
I found that a dual-screen set up, which I originally put together a year-and-a-half ago, dramatically improved my productivity and efficiency. So when my right monitor broke a few weeks ago, I knew that I was going to have to buy another monitor to replace it.
After some thought and deliberation, I decided I could justify buying an entire new computer. My computer was working just fine, but it was 2.5 years old, which is quite a long time in the computer hardware world. I felt that buying a whole new system would be a good investment. Plus, I wanted a newer gaming system that easily could keep up with the latest games for another another couple years 
Here are the specs of my old computer:
- AMD Athlon 64 3500+ 939 Processor
- 19-inch LCD LG monitor X 2
- 3 GB DDR Memory
- Nvidia Geforce 6600 256 MB PCI-E Video
- 6 Channel Audio
- 10/100 Networking
- 160 GB SATA HD
- 80 GB secondary HD
- 16x DVD RW Drive
- Keyboard/Mouse/speakers-subwoofer
- Windows XP
… and here’s my new one and it’s specs:
- AMD Phenom™ 9750 Quad-Core Processor 2.4 GHz
- 2 24" Samsung monitors
- 8GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
- ATI Radeon® HD 3850 DDR3 256-bit video card with 1 GB memory (+3200 secondary card)
- 1 TB (1000 GB) 7200 RPM SATA II hard drive
- Blu-ray®, HD DVD® player / super multi DVD+/-RW hybrid drive
- Integrated 8-Channel (7.1) High Definition Audio
- 15-in-1 high speed digital media manager
- Keyboard/Mouse
- Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit)
The one thing I don’t get is that it didn’t come with a wireless Ethernet card…
Also, it didn’t seem to come with and Windows DVDs, but it did come with two blank DVDs which I didn’t look at yet. I wonder if they are just blank DVDs, the Windows Vista DVDs, or if I’m expected to backup the computer/Windows onto the DVDs myself…
This was my first time using Vista, so it took me a couple days to get used to it and change all the settings over to the old traditional Windows theme, as well as transfer all the data and settings from my old computer.
Here’s a short video showing my new dual 24-inch setup:
I’m curious about what your average day is like. What do you do when you’re working?
I was told by some Dell rep that there’s really no point in having more than 3GB of RAM because Vista won’t even acknowledge the fact that the system has more. I wonder if that’s true or not.
It is if you’re using the 32-bit OS. You need Windows 64-bit to be able to take advantage of over 3 gigs of ram
Man i want two of that i use a laptop 15,4 inches……..
Same here, but I want a smaller laptop. I’m on the road every day and I’m tired of my 15,4″ laptop.
How much did all that set you back? I recently upgraded to a Q6600 on a P5Q Pro with 2 GB RAM (32-bit OS), 2 TB RAID-5 and EN8600GT graphics which was only £300 in total. Why did you go for an AMD processor?
Nice setup…I like the side-by-side monitors.
WOW Tyler, talk about an UPGRADE!!! *drools*. I hope you didn’t pay retail for that computer
You know your buddies like John Chow could build these for cheap 
-Mike
Nice setup. I use Ultramon software for my dual montor setup and config. What software, if any do you use?
Ultramon
Man, I wish I had an office like that. I don’t really mind about the computer since I’m a Mac person. But I must say, the computer’s nice!
If you’re looking for quality dual-monitor wallpapers I’d highly suggest checking out DigitalBlasphemy. I’ve used dual-monitors for years and their wallpapers are amazing in quality and new ones are added pretty frequent. The only downside is I believe for larger resolutions you have to pay a small monthly fee but you get tons of resolution options and full access to all the wallpapers.
How are you calculating this “10 fold” in productivity? Looking at your portfolio of sites I don’t see any marked difference in the last 6 months that would warrant such a statement.
I could believe such a statment if it came from John Chow or one of those blogger ’superstars’ but come on, who are you trying to fool?
Also, with the worldwide economic depression on all our door steps I believe that this expenditure to be the upmost in foolishness. That was a LOT of cash to blow on something you didn’t need (new computer itself). You should be saving your $$$ for the years that are coming. Your income is about to disappear and you don’t even know it…eeek. Scary shit Tyler.
People have been saying I would be broke and would have to move back into my parent’s basement for years now.
Unlike a lot of people, I don’t live from paycheck to paycheck, and I’m certainly not going to live “scared” like a lot of other people who are seeing red arrows next to stock prices and overreacting.
The computer and two monitors cost me around $2,000 before tax and is a business write-off. Merendi Networks Inc. brought in around $15,000 last month. My computer will probably last me another 2.5 years, so in the grand scheme of things the $2,000 is not really much of an expense, is it? In fact, it accounted for only 4-days worth of income last month.
I understand that I shouldn’t be superflously throwing money around and appreciate your concern, and you may think me niave for not being more conservative with my money, but I just don’t live like that. Nor would I want to.
I could probably make a lot more money if I worked a lot more hours and lived off of mac and cheese or noodles, but what fun would that be?
Merendi Networks brought in $15K last month? Dude, quit fibbing already. Every one of your forums are so full of spam from you not maintaining them. There’s no way in the world you’re making squat from anything you own.
I looked at all of your sites and not a single one has an Alexa rank over 200K and your Compete ranks are all crappy too which tells me you’re not getting anywhere near enough traffic to make $15K from those pathetic sites you own.
Maybe you can fleece the newbies but any of us who have been “really” making money on the internet know all you MMO bloggers are charlatans.
LMAO! I agree! Just look at that publisherforums crap, nobody ever post there, and if they do its only to promote viagra!
And then you have that other movievault site which is trying to be sold once agian after several failed tries, since nobody wants a dead site that gets no income and has a ridiculous price tag of $25k
This guy is just a clown.
you have no clue
Brian, take a look at PokerForums.org and look at the prices on its advertising page. It looks like most of his slots are paid for so that site would be his cash cow. Plus this site also makes a little based on his earnings reports so him making 15k is believable.
He publishes earnings reports and there’s no reason to doubt them so I don’t see what all the fuss is about. I still don’t see how he can sell so many text links on pokerforums since it has PR 0. Not saying he doesn’t, but I think a lot of his advertisers just never bother to re-visit his site and see where they are advertising.
Shouldn’t people spend in order to stimulate the economy?
I think he made a good decision. And regarding the productivity issue: you are not productive if you don’t feel comfortable. Tyler didn’t feel comfortable using just 1 monitor.
You do know he’s bringing in a modest income just off one affiliate referral. His one referral is earning around $2,000 a day, which would translate to $100 a day in commission. That’s $36,500 a year off ONE REFERRAL.
Hey Steve Barfly or something,
Man, if you’re so jealous then do something about it and start making real dough!
Haha, I bet you steve markly buys stocks when the prices are through the roof and sells them when everyone panics. That’s why he’s complaining about the money. I’ve been buying stocks all this week
Now on a serious note, I’ve been using dual monitors for a few years and must say it’s one of the best productivity improvements that you can get yourself. You just have to try it to realize it. Nowadays whenever I’m away from my desk and have to work on a laptop it’s almost a torture!
By the way, do you keep your workspace this clean all the time or was just for “us”? I work on two tables and have a hard time seeing tabletops b/c they’re covered in papers and other “garbage”
Good decision Tyler!
Yeah right. Two shares of AIG @ $2 and a share of Shang Dao on the Tokyo stock exchang? Hey girl, I gotta get back with you later.
Not to mention, you don’t even own a laptop because your parents wouldn’t buy you one for your birthday, so the torture you speak of is only imaginary. Just like your friendship with Tyler Cruz.
Nice to see that despite a lovely new computer and a wall of monitors that you still have a wall calendar.
Some things are irreplaceable I guess
Nice set up Tyler. I love the dual monitors. I work primarily on a laptop but may get a desktop next year when I have the money.
Congrats on the new system.. I’ve been running dual monitors for years now, and it’s the only way to go! I dunno about dual 24s though, that’s some serious real estate right there.. I think my neck would hurt from the constant movement.
Nice setup Tyler now I want 24 in lol
Tyler, your office looks amazing!
Can I ask where did you buy your setup? if it was from a website, and they have an affiliate program, feel free to say your affiliate link.
The computer was a prebuilt from Gateway, the exact model being FX4200-EBF01A. The monitors are Samsung’s which I bought separately.
When I scrolled down after looking at the first comp then the new one, the whole desk practically disappeared! That’s awesome. Id love to be able to get a new computer, especially a desktop. Congrats. Sucks about the old busted screen though.
Yeah, I always thought my 2 19-inches were just fine until I got my 2 24-inchers!
LOL @ the haters.
I own a site that has an Alexa ranking of over 800k and it makes well over 10k a month.
Tyler makes ALL of his money with his computer. It’s his most valuable tool when it comes to making his living - to not have the absolute best technology, regardless of current economic conditions, is foolish.
I suppose a cabinet maker shouldn’t buy a new saw because of the economy. Or a plumber shouldn’t buy a new wrench.
Wow, aren’t you an ass kisser?
Go makeout with your idol Tyler
Pathetic
Please drink some more Haterade.
Awesome new setup Tyler, I recently upgraded as well, isn’t it just a treat!
Looks like you got a new printer as well?
Hello There Tyler!
A really great computer which without any doubts would work better on Windows XP Professional.
Congratulations for your new purchase
Cheers
Olgi Zenullari
Brilliant setup Tyler! I really want to get a brand new setup, but have no idea what to get! Where did you get all your stuff from?
Cool set up man, go for it. What games do you play??
Starcraft
Team Fortress 2
Poker
Your set up is very nice but I have to admit that I LOVE your lamp! Did you buy it online?
I bought it ages ago at… I think Wal-Mart.. for like $30, lol…
That’s an awesome setup, Tyler. But I always liked laptops more, maybe that’s just because I travel a lot. (I’m sure you have a laptop as well)
Hehe, you’ve also stirred up a pretty interesting discussion in the comments
Congratulations on your new setup, Tyler! I like your upgraded wallpaper, as well!
It’s good to see you are sticking with your guns and using a PC - After the announcement today of the new Macbook’s, is there any desire for one of those sleek machines there at all?
Also, I’m chuckling at all the hostile comments going on, real mature.
Hey, it’s nice to see you’ve made it over to Vegas. Pretty sweet city, eh!
Nice computer.
But no point in going with 64-bit as of yet. I installed Vista 64-bit myself in order to try to utilize all 4GB of RAM in my PC, but found programs are still lacking in 64-bit driver support. The headaches were just not worth it so I went back to 32-bit Vista and am having no problems with it.
Anyways, you may have better luck with it now mind you, I tried it a few months ago. But in my opinion, 64-bit is still a little bit too early.
Hi Tyler,
Congrats on getting the new computer. Don’t your eyes strain with those kind of lights, or is it just for the pic?
- Swastik -
That computer has many of the amenities that are desired by a purchaser, and so the experience of using it will go smoothly and can result in positive creations.
[...] My New Computer! - Tyler shows us his brand new computer system with dual display! He also talks about how going to dual display increased his blogging productivity out of the roof! Sounds like something I need to do myself soon! [...]
very tidy and well arranged desktop.Brilliant setup Tyler! I really want to get a brand new setup, but have no idea what to get! Where did you get all your stuff from? Lay the secret out!!!!
Very nice setup indeed!!
how does it work exaclty? do you have like msn and music on one window, with productive stuff on the other screen? I’d love to have that!