Poker Computers?

or3o1990

or3o1990

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My Macbook has taken a dump on me quite a few times while grinding and it's a huge pain.. I have to shut it down then reboot it and then wait for the client to load back up.. And it's starting to cost me money as far as I'm concerned.

What types of components are important in relation to multitabling games online? What's better? Mac or Pc? I'm a total noob at computers so any and all input is appreciated!!! THANKS!
 
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floweryhead

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I run two computers when I'm playing. The second is a backup in case the first one crashes. The main causes of the crashes on my main one are Holdem Manager 2. However, when it does go down, all I need to do now is run my poker client on the already running system so I can be back in the game within a minute. Then my faster, much better computer can reboot and I can log back in on the other machine. Not an ideal solution but until HEM2 loses a lot of its bugs it's better than nothing
 
CrockPot

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I use a Toshiba Satellite (laptop), it's got a 17.5" screen, and a regular sized key board with numbers above the letters and a number pad to the right (just like a traditional office computer). I've never had any crashing issues with it. The only thing bad about it is the price $850, which may or may not be an issue for you. The big screen is ideal for multitabling. The good thing about a laptop is the mobility, you can play on your couch, table, desk, etc. I think it does good to change up your scenery and surroundings from session to session.
 
horizon12

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Computer processor is not difficult to choose..
It's hard to find a good monitor for multitabling. better pay attention to the choice of the monitor, carefully...
 
Gorak

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For poker I think a PC is a better choice since the softwares are mostly tested on PCs.

For a Laptop, I got a Toshiba Satellite 17" with an Intel I5. Graphic card is ATI.

Desktop I got an Asus Motherboard with an Intel I5. Graphic card is Nvidia GeForce GTX 560. If you plan to play on PKR, a good graphic card is a plus.

These are not the latest models but they do a good job handling the sites I play. You can attach 2 monitors for a better viewing surface if you need it.
 
Poker Orifice

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What types of components are important in relation to multitabling games online? What's better? Mac or Pc? I'm a total noob at computers so any and all input is appreciated!!! THANKS!

I don't have alot of computer knowledge although while researching for my own 'new poker computer' I spent ALOT of time reading up on stuff (I wanted something that would suit my present needs but also something I wouldn't be needing/wanting to upgrade for (hopefully) a long time).

You need to be more specific with your own request here.
ie. Laptop or Desktop?

Do you currently have a monitor(s)

What else do you need the computer for (web browsing?, Skype?, Playing music?, editing photos, videos, ??? etc. etc.).
Also, what do you need it to do as far as poker goes? (you don't need alot for poker... unless you're running multiple sites with multiple programs).


If you're more specific with what it is you're looking for, I can try to provide a better answer for you.
 
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floweryhead

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I run two computers when I'm playing. The second is a backup in case the first one crashes. The main causes of the crashes on my main one are Holdem Manager 2. However, when it does go down, all I need to do now is run my poker client on the already running system so I can be back in the game within a minute. Then my faster, much better computer can reboot and I can log back in on the other machine. Not an ideal solution but until HEM2 loses a lot of its bugs it's better than nothing

In my original post I stated as above but would like to clarify that this may be machine specific to my machine. HEM 2 is a fantastic program and I feel that the problem may be to do with my NVidia Quadro video card as I have error messages in HEM2 stating "Desktop Composition Warning". This is the third machine that I've had the problems with but all 3 have had the Nvidia card in them. In my original post I was just trying to clarify how I dealt with the problems I was having in the hope that other people having similar issues could work around them.
 
JaxA

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PCs are usually better for any gaming needs afaik. The monitor tip is good, having enough room for multi-tabling is necessary.
 
XXPXXP

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the only problem is running enough RAM and a good choice of monitor.
the importance level of the parts for playing poker for PC:
1 Monitor>2 RAM > 3 Video card> UPS or power> SSD> Wifi Card> CPU&mother board> other devide{sound card, USB port, DVD reader/blue ray reader or writer} etc.

Installed 16G memory in my PC currently, and with a 3G video card, it is enough for any poker games.

most of the PC configuration is enough to driving software{poker clients and software-HM2, PT4 etc} easily.

think the main problem is when multi tabling.
the video card will use so much memory to process the table action.

therefore will a little short of ram, your PC will be lagging.
 
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or3o1990

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Thanks for all of the responses, I'm going to try to respond to all of them now w/o quotes.

@Floweryhead
I really like the idea of having two machines. It seems like that would be the best fail safe method. Interesting point you made about your video card. I'll have to try to avoid it.

@Crockpot and Gorak

It seems that laptop must be a good buy considering.. Is the graphics card the same one FloweryHead was talking about? Or is it different somehow?

@Poker Orifice

I'm pretty open to either. I think I'd prefer a laptop but if it makes a difference I'd use a desktop no problems. I'm not overly concerned with anything other than web browsing really. I only play at Bovada so I can only play 4 tables and I haven't found a HUD that will work with my Mac but I plan on investing in some sort of software after the new year. I also plan to be playin on Carbon by then as well..

@XXPXXP

Does the monitor make any real difference other than size and resolution? I could just hook a computer up to my tv probably. 60" of multitabling madness! That 16gb is your RAM? I'm not sure what my Mac has but it's kind of old..
 
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floweryhead

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Thanks for all of the responses, I'm going to try to respond to all of them now w/o quotes.

@Floweryhead
I really like the idea of having two machines. It seems like that would be the best fail safe method. Interesting point you made about your video card. I'll have to try to avoid it.

Initially I bought a £270 quad head video card but I could only get it to work with 2 monitors so I found the NVidia one instead. If you do want to go the multi monitor route... I suggest you post something on here asking for advice... I read loads of reviews online... mostly not helpful.

The thing with two setups though is that it means I'm sat in front of 6 monitors (4 on my main, 2 on the other) when I play which seriously can't be a good amount of radiation coming at me. So if you do consider the multi monitor option then consider this too.
 
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Weird, I went from a windows based computer to an iMac and can't be happier. I always had problems with windows, always crashing, freezing or after a few just went really slow.

The iMac though I've had for a few months now and can't fault it. It's very fast never crashes and has a 27" screen so can mass table with ease. The only downside is that there is no ipoker client for the mac but not a huge issue as it was the site I played on least anyway. I'd personally stick with a mac if I was you.
 
Poker Orifice

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the only problem is running enough RAM and a good choice of monitor.
the importance level of the parts for playing poker for PC:
1 Monitor>2 RAM > 3 Video card> UPS or power> SSD> Wifi Card> CPU&mother board> other devide{sound card, USB port, DVD reader/blue ray reader or writer} etc.

Installed 16G memory in my PC currently, and with a 3G video card, it is enough for any poker games.

most of the PC configuration is enough to driving software{poker clients and software-HM2, PT4 etc} easily.

think the main problem is when multi tabling.
the video card will use so much memory to process the table action.

therefore will a little short of ram, your PC will be lagging.

Pretty sure any onboard graphics with processors these days is more than enough for poker (don't need Vid Card). 4GB Ram is enough for the pokerz (imo)
 
moots

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Yeah, you don't really need a high end PC for just poker clients. As long as you're running Windows 7 or 8 (if you're using Windows) on a machine made in the last 5 years (maybe even older), you should be fine.

I guess a higher resolution laptop or monitor is needed for better/more multi-tabling.
 
dj11

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AFAIK, and as far as anyone else knows LED's don't radiate.

In a beefy desktop you could put 2 display cards capable of 2 monitors each. But it will not be an off the shelf PC, it will be one you carefully build.

If laptop, make sure it is multi-core, at least 2 cores but the more the merrier. More memory doesn't matter as much for only poker, but it won't hurt none. Most all laptops come with a display port of some sort. HDMI is more common these days, but you might still find a EVGA port.
 
CrockPot

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I belive mine has 8gb of ram. It has the Intel i7 processor.
 
or3o1990

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Weird, I went from a windows based computer to an iMac and can't be happier. I always had problems with windows, always crashing, freezing or after a few just went really slow.

It could just be because the laptop I'm using is kind of old. I don't mind macs because you can run windows on them too which is nice.

Initially I bought a £270 quad head video card but I could only get it to work with 2 monitors so I found the NVidia one instead. If you do want to go the multi monitor route... I suggest you post something on here asking for advice... I read loads of reviews online... mostly not helpful.

The thing with two setups though is that it means I'm sat in front of 6 monitors (4 on my main, 2 on the other) when I play which seriously can't be a good amount of radiation coming at me. So if you do consider the multi monitor option then consider this too.

I think I'm probably going to stick with one monitor. Does anyone use TV's or projectors to multitable? It seems like a good idea to me..

I belive mine has 8gb of ram. It has the Intel i7 processor.

Do you ever have any issues out of your laptop while multitabling and running a poker tracker or other software?
 
XXPXXP

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Pretty sure any onboard graphics with processors these days is more than enough for poker (don't need Vid Card). 4GB Ram is enough for the pokerz (imo)

if dual monitors with resolution2560X1600pix each, on board GPU is far from qualify.
esp open 20 tables same time.
 
XXPXXP

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@XXPXXP

Does the monitor make any real difference other than size and resolution? I could just hook a computer up to my tv probably. 60" of multitabling madness! That 16gb is your RAM? I'm not sure what my Mac has but it's kind of old..

size and resolution are both important.
TV sometimes 1600X900 even with big size
is not enough to tile up all tables.

PS: monitor is important because usually one monitor will use 5 years or longer, and if you are accustomed to you hand move to certain points of the screen, if change a new monitor and new size you will need quite long time to adjust it. like if you are accustomed to two 24 inch monitors and if monitors are changed into 27 inch, you will feel, it is uncomfortable to move you mouse to certain button when multi-tabling in a short time. :(

Yes installed 16G RAM on my desktop because I usually running PT4 and HM2 same time, think the two software eats about 3G RAM:( for 30G database/ hand history record, :D
 
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or3o1990

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Ugh, I really need a new computer. My mac froze again.. worse thing about it is I come back just in time to see I just folded k's and could have triple up.. Instead I loose another sng, costing me another 80 bucks. Such a shame to have my bottom line being affected because of shit equiptment..
 
moots

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Ugh, I really need a new computer. My mac froze again.. worse thing about it is I come back just in time to see I just folded k's and could have triple up.. Instead I loose another sng, costing me another 80 bucks. Such a shame to have my bottom line being affected because of shit equiptment..

$80? Probably worth it to get a temporary low-end laptop for $250.
 
or3o1990

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$80? Probably worth it to get a temporary low-end laptop for $250.

Yeah I might have to. I was hoping to make this computer last until I had 1k to get something decent but I might have to go get one.. The timing couldn't be worse is all. I've been running like dog crap the past two days, which is fine but when my computer craps on me it makes me more tilty than running bad ever could.. Not to mention I lost my job last week so I'm pretty much broke other than my poker bankroll..
 
CrockPot

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Yeah I might have to. I was hoping to make this computer last until I had 1k to get something decent but I might have to go get one.. The timing couldn't be worse is all. I've been running like dog crap the past two days, which is fine but when my computer craps on me it makes me more tilty than running bad ever could.. Not to mention I lost my job last week so I'm pretty much broke other than my poker bankroll..

Are you going to take a shot at going pro? Now might be a good time for you. I'm sure you already know this but if you win 2 sng's a day (on average) for $80 that's +$58,000 per year. I don't know anything about your background but that's a pretty decent living where I'm from.
 
or3o1990

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Are you going to take a shot at going pro? Now might be a good time for you. I'm sure you already know this but if you win 2 sng's a day (on average) for $80 that's +$58,000 per year. I don't know anything about your background but that's a pretty decent living where I'm from.

Yes, I was already trying it out the past month. That's definitely alot more than I was making at my job but I don't expect I'll make that much.. I'm hoping for plus +10% ROI, I play about 100x30$ entry triple up tournaments a week and while it's not glamorous it's a start.

I'll see how it goes. I love the game but depending on it to survive will take some getting used to. I might pick up another part time too I'm not sure yet..
 
TeUnit

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Think i would go with a "gaming" pc

Mac just isnt supported as much

And if you are using software like hem i would get the new solid state drives and memory is fairly cheap so you might as well get a lot
 
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