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How did it know? (my computer has AI)

Yesterday I received the bits for a new computer.

Although I did write a column a while ago suggesting that now wasn't a particularly good time to upgrade to a new computer, I spied some deals that I could not resist and whipped out the plastic.

For a little over $500 I managed to build a 6-core PC with 16GB of RAM, 512GB of NVMe SSD, an "okay" case and a brand-name power-supply.

That's about half the price of a store-bought one and this Ryzen 5 5600G-based machine is a huge step up when compared to the third-gen i5 quad core system that was so kindly gifted to me many years ago by a regular reader of the column.

Then something odd happened and I'm sure it's something we've all experienced at some stage...

I've yet to load up the new machine with Linux and all my regular programs so I'm typing this on the old machine and guess what?

Yep... the CPU cooler fan is packing a wobbly.

My desk is vibrating beneath my fingertips as I write this and the noise is annoyingly loud.

It was fine yesterday, even when I went to bed (I leave things on 24/7) but when I arose this morning it sounded like someone was shaking a can filled with rocks on my desk.

This is not the first time I've encountered the situation where, if you are preparing to replace a faithful old bit of tech with something new, that old tech dies or develops some kind of annoying fault.

It happens with cars, I know that much! You never talk about getting a new car when within earshot of the old one -- or bad things are likely to happen. (removes tinfoil hat).

Okay, it's just coincidence but what a coinincidence.

Now while I was pricing up this new system I was absolutely gobsmacked at the prices some people are trying to get for PC parts. I bought all my bits from PBTech in their Labour Day sale and really did save a fairly significant chunk of change.

For example, the Ryzen 5600G was under $200, quite a steal when you consider that there are people trying to flog these things for as much as $345 or even $735.

Are you kidding me?

I wonder how many people don't do their homework and get scammed by sellers like that? I mean, even at the regular price on PBTech it's still only $229

The case was also a pretty good deal and came with four fans (which saves time and additional expense) although I have to admit it does feel as if it's made from metal foil rather than metal sheet and it's perhaps not the most attractive box in the world. Rest assured that the gaudy RGB lighting got the snip straight away too.

All in all I'm pretty happy with this machine and find it amazing that it's a good 50 percent faster than the machine I presently use for video editing (an i7 8700) that cost over four times as much just a few short years ago.

This box however, will see only light use, replacing that old third gen i5 web-surfing and general desktop box currently rattling my fillings beside me.

Eventually I'll have to get around to updating my editing rig but that will cost a lot more than the $500 I spent this week so it'll have to wait for another year or more.

Carpe Diem folks!

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