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Performance Comparison: E5-2690 vs E5-2687W

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When comparing two CPUs within a product line, it is usually very easy to tell which CPU has the better relative performance by comparing the specifications for each. The E5-2690 and the E5-2687W are a bit of an oddity in that they both have the same maximum Turbo Boost frequency even though the E5-2687W has a higher base clock speed. In this article, we will the question of whether or not the E5-2687W is actually any faster than the E5-2690 since both can technically turbo to the exact same frequency.

We’re in a Post-PC Era, and Everything is Fine

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I had the opportunity to take a day with Brett Nordquist yesterday, and attend the Geekwire Summit in downtown Seattle. The sessions ended up repeatedly circling back to the overwhelming proliferation of mobile devices. Todd Bishop said something I entirely agree with. “Of course we’re in a post-PC era! Why are we arguing about it?” he said. “But that doesn’t mean the PC is dead.” Exactly! Clearly the technology world is changing. But what does that mean for PCs?

Product Review: Asus Z9PE-D8 WS

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The Z9PE-D8 WS is the first motherboard we have had a chance to qualify with the new Romley chipset. This board is geared towards workstation-class systems, but does it have what it takes to earn a place on our product line?

Tech Primer: Intel E5 Xeon CPUs (Sandy Bridge-EP)

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The launch of Intel’s new Xeon line has finally arrived with the arrival of the Intel Xeon E5 processors. With the move to the Sandy Bridge-E architecture, the E5 series should give higher CPU performance with the same or better thermal limits as the previous generation of Xeon processors.

One Customer At A Time

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Last summer I took my car to the local self-service car wash and was surprised when a man approached me as I toweled off my car. Dressed in cowboy boots and accompanying hat, he introduced himself as the new owner of the car wash.

He explained that the previous owner had provided very little in regards to whom his customers were, so he decided to spend his days meeting them face to face.

After we chatted for a few minutes, he extended his arm to shake my hand and thanked me for visiting his business. This is not something I’m accustomed to. If the vacuums aren’t clogged and there’s plenty of foaming soap on the brushes, I’m generally satisfied.

How to Set Up Multiple Monitors

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When it comes to setting up a new computer, something we get asked about here at Puget Systems on a regular basis is the use of multiple monitors. The use of dual monitors seems to be the most common goal customers have, but many want three or even more – and so we are often asked if that requires two video cards, how easy it is to set up, and even how to use multiple screens effectively. This article aims to answer some of those basic questions and act as a central resource for folks who are considering a new computer or want to upgrade their existing system.

Gaming Computers: Its All About Balance

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We sell all sorts of computers here at Puget Systems, and one of the more popular requests is for a gaming computer. In fact, we have designed one of our main brands around gaming – the Puget Deluge is an excellent system to consider for a gaming rig. Some gamers come to us already knowing what specs they want, but others are seeking more detailed guidance on what processor, video card, and other components to go with. The exact advice we give depends on the situation: the sorts of games they are interested in, the screen resolution they plan to run, their budget, and other preferences. However, a lot of that advice can be distilled down into the following basic principles.

A New Age of Advertising

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Over the last few days, I’ve been taking some time to update the documentation of the Puget Systems marketing and advertising strategy. I’m finding that what I am really doing is documenting the culture of the company, because the way we approach advertising is a good window on the way we run our business. We are sometimes asked “Why haven’t I seen advertisements of your company?” That is a great question. What the inquirer is really trying to determine is whether Puget Systems is a legitimate, successful business. Most of the most successful PC manufacturers canvas heavily with advertisements, from magazine ads to website banners. Isn’t Puget Systems successful as well? If Puget Systems is successful, where are our advertisements? In answering these questions, we have a great opportunity to talk about something that makes Puget Systems special.