Topic: Is it time, New PC, but what?

[Michelle]

okay I need some help please, there's so much out there.

If I tell you what I use can you advise what I should have in my PC.  

Internet (tops)
Camera's/camcorders/pda's used
so lots of pictures and video's.
Gaming (so need some speed)
Use Word and excel quite a bit too.
Computer in full time adults and kids use.
MP3's
and Films

I was thinking £300-£400 (cheap I know)I guess I could stretch to £500 if xp was installed.

P4 3ghz (is it)
512mb ram
120gb hd
dvd/cdrw

erm what else any idea chaps ?  8)  

[Sandra]

Unless you are thinking of building it yourself Michelle contact Dell and see what they can do you one for.
I would suggest a DVD writer instead of a dvd/cd writer combi as it will still write cds and would only cost a tenner or so more  

[Simon]

You'll need a decent graphics card as well.  Preferably a stand alone one, rather than onboard.

[Michelle]

Oh right, thanks sandra I didn't realise that.

And thanks Simon, so which is a good one, what sort of spec's would I need?

[Simon]

Depends what you want to spend, Michelle, but I would go for at least a 128Mb 8X GeForce for gaming.  Here's a mid to lowish priced one, but you may want to spend a bit more and get a 256Mb.  I would use GeForce over ATI, but that's a personal preference.

[Michelle]

okay thanks simon, I'll bare that in mind

what do you think about this one? Not that I will bid on this particular one but it doesn't look that bad does it?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5131783486&ssPageName=STRK

maybe someone will sort out that link for me please oh it looks okay

[Sandra]

Looks ok if it doesnt go too much higher Michelle.
I would personally prefer a bigger hard drive and definately 512 mb ram in place of or in addition to the 256.
Its a bit confusing as it shows pics of a GFX card then says its onboard graphics and shows a pic of a CD writer then says its a DVD writer ?
As cards and hard drives arent that dear now you could always get something like tht and see if the onboard graphics were up to your games and get a card later if need be.
The same with the hard drive if you needed a bigger one later thats easy enough to add when required but I would definately be sticking at least another 256mb ram in and possibly a 512mb straight away  

[Dack]

Postage is £30 on top, no operating system, cost of components is:
Motherboard http://www.asrock.com/product/product_k7s41.htm about £32
DVD Writer about£40
Memory about £28
Hard drive about £37
Floppy and modem about £10
Case+PSU about £25
Processor+fan about £98
Total cost of components = approx £270

Probably a bit cheaper as that was using commonly available component prices.

Worth having a look on the Dell site as occasionally they have some real bargains. Also, since you are a teacher IIRC, you may be able to get an educational discount - try asking your IT people.

Typical PC base unit I put together for people these days comes to about £400ish for the parts (3.2Gig Athlon 64, 160G hard drive, DVD writer, low end/embedded graphics card, 512 DDR, motherboard,cheap case, keyboard, mouse, floppy). With a 'reasonable/decent' card e.g. the 9800XT you have to add about £125

Plus Operating system of course

(That wasn't an offer to build just an example of what you could get)

[Michelle]

Yes sandra I would really like 512mb ram at least. I was a bit confused about the descriptions on that ebay one, also it says upto 6 USB ports ... so I wonder when you find out how many you actually get?  

Thanks for that Dack, that is helpful.  I have been having a look at dell and there are some good deals on there.

I'll keep looking til I've got the money through, cashing in some stuff  8)    

[Sandra]

 also it says upto 6 USB ports ... so I wonder when you find out how many you actually get?  

Most mobos now have 4 USB ports at the back of the pc. Then you have some pins, or headers, for adding the wires from the USB ports on the front or side of the newer pc cases  

[Simon]

Or you can get something like this, which adds USB ports to the front of your case, in the spare floppy disc drive slot.  Useful for cases with no front USB ports.

[Camstop]

Hi Shell...

I bought my last PC off a shop on Ebay and it was way cheaper than i could find elsewhere at the time  


I had a look a couple of weeks ago and found this lot that look good...>>>

[Michelle]

ooh thanks Cammy, and hi  some good prices there.

The Athlon 64 at the bottom, looks like what I'm after.

Do you rate the Athlon?

Which are the best I've always thought the P4 safest.

The celereon is good isn't it?  

[Sandra]

Avoid Celeron if at all possible Michelle, theyre not as good as the proper Intel.
Likewise with AMDs Durons, go for Athlon or the newer ones.
AMD v Intel is up to you as some prefer one to the other  

[Michelle]

Just to keep you informed, I've got my money  

And I'm gonna go wild and spent upto £1500 on a puter now - lol - all change.

So its gonna be
intel p4  
1024 ram
400 gb mem
geforce 6800 pro (I think its called) Is that the best grapics card I could get?
Good sound card to go with.
19" Monitor  
TV system wassit
Wifi thing.
dvd rw and cd rw
firewire port
(so technical)

Not sure what else I need? Any Advice ?

Am Looking at Dell and Tiny. Finger poised on the buy button!