I simultaneously love and hate the day I build a new computer. I always feel like a leave a little bit behind when that happens and I get anxious that my new components will not only work but will be friendly with one another.I set up a trial computer for one of my editors almost a year ago to see if I could realistically use SSD (solid state drives) in combination with my photo processing needs. The computer was a winner in almost every way except for the video card -  a GeForce GTX 470 that revved up pretty loudly during heavy use. The biggest thumbs up of that build? Purchasing one of the prettiest and easiest to use towers I have ever encountered : thank you Lian Li PC-AA7F! And, yes, it does glow with pretty blue lights on the top and front. It’s a disco in here every day!

Historically, I have ritualistically  gone through the old computer, folder by folder, seeing if I can find a forgotten file. My own personal search and rescue mission. However, I didn’t get a chance to on my dear friend (I’ll spare you what the computer’s lame name was). The motherboard decided that my CPUs were running at an alarming 255 degrees Celsius each and it started immediate shut down procedures about 5 minutes into Windows. In case you are curious, 255°C is equivalent to almost 500°F. That’s meltdown temperature and completely impossible, but the motherboard didn’t want to listen to reason. At all. So I said goodbye to my two dual core beast and started making my wish list for the new computer.

I’ve honestly lost count on how many builds I have had through the years. I was at a reasonable number before I met Nathan and become a full time wedding photographer. He has definitely encouraged some serious computer building  and even whined a little when I let me current computer make it for an unprecedented 5 years without a massive upgrade. But alas, the parts were upgradeable, my RAM was maxed out a ridiculously low amount  and it was time to SSD that sucker up.

And here’s my serious note folks. Backup, backup, backup. I was lucky that I was making nightly backups to my server via a free program called Pure Sync. You have the option of synching files or doing a backup as well as setting the exact location and time you wish to do so. So while I was caught by the early demise of my friend, the computer, I was not, how you say? – screwed. Don’t have a server to back up to? No worries – there are online backup solutions as well including Mozy and Carbonite. You can always ask my opinion on things, goodness knows I have one 🙂