New desktop pc

[SO16_Saint]

Am looking at buying a new desktop pc this weekend.

 

What minimum requirements should I look out for?

 

Will Be using it for basic stuff really, interweb, music, photos and FM2011!

 

Willing to spend up to £500

[saintscottofthenortham]

I just built my own. Spent £580 and have ended up with a spec that would cost me well over £1000 if I went through Dell or PC World etc etc.

 

Look for 3.00ghz processor, 4gb Ram and a SATA II HDD (faster transfer rate) upwards of 750mb if you are using it for music. Or spend a bit extra on a external HDD for all your music and pictures.

 

I always go for AMD processors as they are cheaper but just as good. I went for the new AMD Quad Core 3.2ghz which is superb.

 

Personally, I'd say build your own. It's a good little project, you save yourself a fortune, get a great machine and there are hundreds of books and bucket loads of videos online to help you out if you get stuck. But honestly, was my first time, and it's f*****g EASY! Go on.... Go for it!

Edited 28 October, 2010 by saintscottofthenortham

[SOTONS EAST SIDE]

Agree with Scott build your own. Try here for the parts or Custom built!! :http://www.eclipse-computers.co.uk or http://www.ebuyer.com. HTH!!

Or:http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/systemview.aspx?id=32

Edited 28 October, 2010 by SOTONS EAST SIDE

[saint_stevo]

or, if your a newb head over to the Dell Outlet store online - http://www1.euro.dell.com/uk/en/dfo/df.aspx?refid=df&s=dfo

 

Would post a link to a system but they expire every 15mins or so. Also, Bridgey i seem to have totally forgotten about remotely looking at your P.C. I'll follow this up with a text

Edited 28 October, 2010 by saint_stevo

[SO16_Saint]

or, if your a newb head over to the Dell Outlet store online - http://www1.euro.dell.com/uk/en/dfo/df.aspx?refid=df&s=dfo

 

Would post a link to a system but they expire every 15mins or so. Also, Bridgey i seem to have totally forgotten about remotely looking at your P.C. I'll follow this up with a text

 

Cheers mate.

 

Have decided to just buy a new computer - will be easier in the long run!

[SO16_Saint]

stupid question about home PCs. With Laptops the wireless element to internet is built in - is this the same for Desktop PCs or would i need to do / buy something to make it wireless so it connects to the internet?

[saint_stevo]

You would need to specify a wireless card to be built in, or buy one after-

 

 

or you could use a USB dongle, which can be a bit hit and miss.......

[Thedelldays]

are all-in-one pc's much cop..??

 

some have touch screen..

[thesaint sfc]

are all-in-one pc's much cop..??

 

some have touch screen..

 

They're a bit of a f*cker to get repaired when they go wrong - other than that I think they're brilliant.

[buctootim]

Go for something like this. These are very quick, good spec machines easily capable of what you want it for. You need to buy a screen on top but still well under £500. Refurbished' in PC World terms means there was a fault on a brand new machine customer sent it back and they fixed it, now sold as refurbished but effectively brand new.

 

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/packard-bell-imedia-a3622-uk-refurbished-desktop-pc-06200185-pdt.html

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/packard-bell-ixtreme-i5622uk-refurbished-desktop-pc-06200160-pdt.html

Edited 29 October, 2010 by buctootim