Buying a new computer

[UK Rachel]

Hi
Im about to buy a new computer as mine needs replacing. I was just after some advice really about what specification I need to get in order to get the best out of my web cam and whats good these days!
Im looking at a Dell computer that has 512mb of memory - would this be enough?
Also, its extra for video and sound cards, but these are necessary arent they?
It comes with Intel® Pentium 4 processor with HT technology 521 (2.80GHz, 800FSB, 1MB cache) , is that OK?

Also, what other things do I need? My pc is 5 years old now and is getting slow!

Rachel
x

[JT]

You cant go wrong with Dell, I replace mine about once every 6 months, I always buy Dell

[cock-a-leekie]

Hi Rachel,
I build my own and I'd say in terms of processing power you can't go wrong with either an Intel or athlon64 based computer. Either one has got the power to run WindowsXP Pro and multi-task between adobe Photoshop and première simultaneously, but I'd defiantly go for at least 1gb of ram. Even if you opt for 1gb make sure there are enough free slots left to see an upgrade to 1.5gb at a latter date.

512mb just doesn’t leave enough free memory to run large programs because windows XP Pro needs between 256-384mb just to run itself. The only thing windows can do to stop crashing is to open a temporary swap file. This temp file acts as virtual ram on your hard drive and it really sucks because your hard drive is permanently running flat-out pretending to be ram, but it's around 100 times slower than ddr ram.

Ram is getting cheaper all the time so go for 1gb and everything will run at full speed.


---Martin

[NumptyNuts]

You cant go wrong with Dell, I replace mine about once every 6 months, I always buy Dell

its coz you buy dell you have to replace em ;-)

Just kidding - dell all the way :)

[Guest]

My Dell is 6 years old now :O

[ChemicalEyes]

You cant go wrong with Dell, I replace mine about once every 6 months, I always buy Dell
Get any recurring problems with power units over heating?

[chilihost]

yeah, i recommend Dells too. I do most of my stuff off my laptop and I am on my 5th dell laptop now, they are solid machines and Dell keeps supporting them long after they are outdated too.

Rachel, if I were you I would bump my RAM up to either 1G or 2G, and if you don't just make sure you only get 1x512M (not 2x256) so that when you upgrade in the future you don't have to scrap your memory. But going 1G right away will give you the best performance boost for your dollar, even if you have to drop back to a 2.4GHz processor due to budget restraints.

cheers,
Luke

[chilihost]

Oh, and about your video question, it depends on what work you will be doing with your PC. If you are planning on doing video editing or large graphical file manipulation or even making it a games machine, then getting the video and sound cards takes that extra load off your main processor, making your machine run a lot faster. Otherwise sticking with the stock onboard video and sound would be good enough for most people.

And you might look at a nice big lcd monitor to go with it, especially if you spend all day in front of your computer. It makes a huge difference and your eyes will be thanking you when you are walking past that optician in 5 years time :)

cheers,
Luke

[stembolt]

hi
goto
http://www.voodoopc.com
or
http://www.alienware.co.uk

high spec and very sexy pcs
;)

[Shandy McAndy]

hi
goto
http://www.voodoopc.com
or
http://www.alienware.co.uk

high spec and very sexy pcs
;)


Very sexy looking machines!

[gawdi]

Main PC Dell - quality at reasonable prices...
Laptop - SAVROW - goes like shit, but batteries only last for about 30 mins and gets so hot cant have it on yr lap....(have a look at their website some v sexy kit they have)...
Agree with chillihosts comments on the monitor.... biggest and best resolution you can afford..... Ultrasharp dell 17" here, but thinking of upgrading to 19" or 21" the problem is these monitors cost more than the pc.... but as i do a lot of photo and video work, well worth it...