The old adage ‘buy cheap = buy thrice’ does hold true in computers as well. When putting a system together for customers – we aim for suitability, quality and price. Firstly, at PCPals we make sure that whatever system we recommend is suitable for the intended use. Following that, all parts and the whole system should be of quality components but still at a reasonable price. We won’t recommend a 10K system as a ‘simple gaming setup’ at the same time we will not implement a sub-par machine that is not suitable for purpose.
Our regular desktop systems all come with a full 3 year hardware warranty – and some of the parts I use even come with a 5 year warranty! A lot of the systems that PCPals sold 8 to 10 years ago or more are still going – maybe with an occasional visit to keep it humming in the meantime.
Power Supply – not the sexiest part of a system, but it’s incredibly important. Not only it needs to supply clean power to the rest of the system but, ideally, it should protect it as well. The power supplies we use and sell will do so. Many times I can just replace the power supply itself and the rest of the system is OK – even after a serious power event. However, going with a cheap power supply is asking for trouble – most times the whole system and sometimes even the data drives become unusable after a surge or similar power issue.
Power Boards - $20 vs $200 – ENOUGH SAID
Memory – cooling is very important in modern systems; better memory chips have cooling fins installed
HDD / SSD – Generally the heavier items are better engineered; constructed; insulated and work better for longer
These are just some real life examples of good parts.
I will be honest – even the best parts fail sometimes. It’s just that they fail a LOT less.
Why bother with good hardware:
- Performance and Efficiency
- High-quality hardware components, such as powerful processors, ample memory, and fast storage devices, significantly enhance the performance and efficiency of IT systems. They enable faster data processing, reduce latency, and improve the overall speed of operations, which is essential for meeting the demands of modern applications and services.
- Reliability and Stability
- Good hardware ensures the reliability and stability of IT systems. Reliable hardware components are less prone to failures and crashes, which minimizes downtime and ensures continuous operation. This is particularly important for critical applications and services that require high availability
- Scalability
- Investing in scalable hardware solutions allows organizations to expand their IT infrastructure as needed. Scalable hardware can accommodate growing data volumes and increased workloads without compromising performance. This flexibility is vital for businesses looking to adapt to changing market conditions and technological advancements
- Security
- Hardware plays a fundamental role in IT security. Secure hardware components, such as Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs) and hardware-based encryption, provide a strong foundation for protecting sensitive data and preventing unauthorized access. Ensuring that hardware is secure is a critical step in safeguarding IT systems against cyber threats
- Cost-Effectiveness
- While high-quality hardware may require a significant initial investment, it often proves to be cost-effective in the long run. Reliable hardware reduces maintenance costs, minimizes the need for frequent replacements, and enhances the overall lifespan of IT systems. This leads to better return on investment (ROI) and lower total cost of ownership (TCO)
- Innovation and Competitiveness
- Good hardware drives innovation by enabling the development and deployment of advanced technologies. Cutting-edge hardware solutions support the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), big data analytics, and other emerging technologies. This, in turn, helps organizations stay competitive in a rapidly changing technological landscape
In conclusion, investing in good hardware is essential for the success and sustainability of IT operations. It enhances performance, ensures reliability, supports scalability, strengthens security, and drives innovation, ultimately contributing to the overall efficiency and competitiveness of organizations