Home Forums Discussions General Discussion Version 6.5 Any Sub-Minimum Hardware Successful Installs?

Has anyone successfully installed V6.5 on hardware not meeting the minimum recommended specs successfully?

With a modest exception for my $1000 main computer, I have been fortunate through V6.3.3 to get away with the cheapest $300 on sale local computers at Fry's and my single provider / 3 staff / 5 computer wireless network works just fine with no significant delays. I've added a mishmash of computers one by one since I opened in 2008 with 1 staffer to my present 3 staff office.

However, according to http://amazingcharts.com/support/hardware-os-requirements/, not a single one of my computers would meet the minimum requirements for V6.5.6. Before I spend $4000-$5000 to scrap them all and start over, I'm wondering if anyone is successfully running 6.5.6 on anything less robust than the minimum specs, and if so, what sub-minimum specs are working for you?

I currently run V6.3.3 just fine on the following network, and am wondering if any part of it would handle V6.5.6? (I already queried AC Tech Support and they were not optimistic)

Main- 32bit 3.0GHz RAM2GB HDD160GB 7Ultimate 2coreIntelE8400
Local 64bit 2.3GHz RAM2GB HDD213GB 7Home 2corePentT4500
Local 32bit 2.1GHz RAM2GB HDD138GB VistaHomeBasic AMDSempronSI-42
Local 32bit 1.7GHz RAM1GB HDD-66GB VistaHomeBasic M.CPI.530
Local 32bit 2.4GHz RAM1GB HDD-37GB XPHome Pentium4

Minimum Specs for v6.5.6:
Main- 64bit RAM8GB HDD1TB 7Pro i5
Local 32bit RAM4GB HDD3GB Vista i3

If I do have to buy 5 new computers, what economical supplier would you use that carries computers meeting the min specs (which seem to exceed what Fry's lists in the newspaper)?

Thanks for any advice.

Obviously, Amazing Chart's recommended minimum specs are for the general case network. General case, of course, means an average of data storage and number of users based on what they have seen from their client base thus far. For some, they may be below the general case (e.g. three computers and two users), others may be above the general case (e.g. 30 users).

If you have an IT Pro such as myself, Indy, or Sandeep telling you that you are good to go and have no reason to upgrade just yet, then you may consider yourself safe in ignoring AC's minimums and proceeding forward. Otherwise, you should take Amazing Charts' recommendations quite seriously to be on the safe side.

JamesNT

I have had good luck with both Fry's computers and refurbs from eCost.com.

The refurbs often will come with Win7 Pro while usually the Fry's computers will come with Win8 now or the home version of the OS.

Should be able to get minimum computers for ~$500 each

Not a great cost and will likely have increased speed for everyone.

Greg

Many thanks to all replies - see new post for broader inquiry about coordinating purchase of multiple computers titled: "Advice sought on network design and computer selection for v6.5."

Here we go again. I'm chopped liver. No, I wouldn't call myself an IT Pro.

Mike, I would at least get away from Vista and also try to get 64-bit on all the computers, if possible.

I don't see how 32-bit with 2GBs works well for you. It should most of the time, but once it begins to store all the queries, it would become slower and slower.

A huge suggestion for your new setup is if it says "Home" anywhere in the name, don't buy it. Home is for home, pro is for pro. Many reasons, but you will also have limited connection problems using Home versions for servers. This counts networked printers, scanners, etc.

Mike,

You may want to hold off on moving to 6.5 at present.
There are a number of posts here on the board about significant issues.
If your current equipment is working well with 6.3.3, you may not want to rock the boat.