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    Keeping it healthy!

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by CFshooter, Jan 19, 2015.

  1. CFshooter

    CFshooter Notebook Guru

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    Hi all,

    I recently bought a Dell Precision M4800 with an i7, firepro 5100, etc for use as a DAW and for some video/photo editing (tell me if I made a mistake so I can cancel the order :) ).

    Question for you all: I'll be using this for Skype, likely downloading some plugins/software off official sites (i.e. Presonus), and I wouldn't mind it for the odd game here and there via Steam. I'm wondering, though, how to keep the thing healthy and free from "bogging down".

    I have a 3 year old HP Pavilion that's starting to slow down, but a good deal of media downloading/pirating has been done on here (no longer mind you, stopped that a while back), as well as installing mods for games, etc.


    1. How does one prolong the life of a PC in this setting? Would it help to avoid random internet surfing, downloading random programs, etc?

    2. Does it help to use different harddrives for different purposes, i.e. OS installed on SSD, DAW and plugins on another, file storage and games on another?

    3. How should I set up my laptop? Should I buy an SSD and install the OS on there, or just use the HDD it comes with for that?

    4. Other suggestions appreciated too, i.e. turning it off vs. sleep, unplugging interfaces, not overclocking, cooling systems, removing battery, etc.
     
    CFshooter, Jan 19, 2015
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