03.Key components
Now that you have a good idea of what you want your new computer to do, you can more easily zero in on the key components you will need. These come under four categories: processor (CPU), memory (RAM), monitor and storage drives (hard disc and optical).
Components and costs
Choosing key components
It’s easy when buying a PC to choose a pre-built system from a vendor, but how do you interpret the specifications they provide for the price – what parts are important for getting the work done on your checklist? And how do different parts affect performance?
It helps to know going in not just what you need from a computer, but what components of a PC will deliver that for you, as well as where you can save money. For this reason we’ll cover off all the major components that make up a computer, so you’ll know exactly what to ask for and exactly what you can expect of your purchase.
Monitor Your monitor is the component that you’ll be looking at the most and with the cheap prices now available there’s no need to skimp on size or quality. Widescreen monitors of 22-24-inchs are now common on new PCs. A big widescreen is ideal for watching DVDs and high-definition movies, as well as working with multiple documents and applications at once. These days a 17-20-inch monitor will typically cost less than $200 and a 22-inch model only slightly more than $200, while a 24-inch model could cost under $250.
Whatever you buy, don’t assume a screen is high-resolution just because it’s large, however. Resolution is the number of pixels the monitor can display and helps determine image quality. Generally aim for 1600 x 1200 up to 1920 x 1200. Note that if you plan to use your old monitor, you may need to get a DVI to VGA adaptor if your monitor doesn’t have a DVI input. These can be purchased from the shop, but don’t be afraid to ask staff if the computer you plan to buy will support your old monitor, to be sure. That said, new LCD monitors are a fraction of the price they used to be, and will last you a good while, so don’t be afraid to upgrade.
Hard drive Hard drives store all your data, and come in a variety of sizes. Even low-end full-size desktop PCs (which commonly use 3.5-inch hard drives) will come with at least a 500GB hard drive, while mini-PCs, which use more compact 2.5-inch drives will usually have at least a 320GB hard drive, or perhaps even a 500GB drive. However, 2.5-inch drives aren’t available in the larger capacities of their 3.5-inch cousins.
For many, 500GB is plenty, but as storage is cheap these days, or if you plan to store a lot of photos, videos and music, getting a larger 1TB (terabyte) drive from the outset is easy to do. Mid-range and high-end full-size desktop PCs will typically come with one or more 1TB drives.
You might also see SSDs (solid state drives), which use memory chips instead of spinning disc platters inside. These are still quite a bit more expensive than traditional hard drives, sometimes up to several times the cost. But they’re also very fast, and benefit machines doing disc-intensive work such as video editing and even games. However, their sizes don’t come anywhere near the capacity of mechanical hard drives. SSDs currently range from 64GB to 256GB, compared to traditional hard drives that are commonly available in up to 2TB.
CPU The Central Processing Unit is the brains of the system. But you can’t just rely on the speed rating of the CPU, usually noted in gigahertz (GHz), unless it is the same processor family (such as Core i3 or Core i5). Today’s processors also factor in other technology, such as dual- or quad-cores (that is, two or four processors on the one chip).
Most home PCs use an Intel branded processor, but AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) is working to regain market share in the personal computing arena after a very quiet couple of years, so you can expect to see more AMD processors turning up in desktop PCs this year. AMD processors include, in descending performance order, Phenom II, Phenom, Athlon II, Athlon X2, Athlon and Sempron. Likewise, Intel starts at the top with the new Core series of i7, i5 and i3 processors, down to the Core 2 Duo and Core Duo, Pentium and Celeron. Intel has an interactive processor selector on its website to help you decide which processor is suitable for your needs. Go to www.intel.com/consumer/products/processors/comparison.htm. For AMD’s help guide, go to www.amd.com and search for “choose a PC”.
So what type of processor should you look for? Even entry-level dual-core PCs will handle the processing demands of most computing tasks including all internet usage, digital photo and movie editing (so an Intel Core i3 or Core i5 should be plenty, for example). In terms of speed, get the highest you can afford for the particular processor you are going for, this will have the most impact on performance after RAM, and a higher speed will ensure your machine keeps up with the Jonses a little longer.
RAM Having enough memory is crucial. Look for a minimum of 2GB (gigabytes) even in a budget system. This is the minimum amount required to run the 64-bit version of Windows 7 (while the 32-bit version requires at least 1GB RAM). You may have the option of installing either a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows 7. The 64-bit version of Windows can access more than 4GB of RAM, so if you’re going for a system with 4GB or memory or more, make sure you get 64-bit Windows 7 with it or it’ll go to waste.
The actual brand of memory you buy doesn’t matter so much, they all perform about the same with the exception of RAM designed for high-end systems, but while faster, it costs more money too. So how much do you need? 2GB is plenty for browsing, emailing, watching videos and so on. Get 4GB if you intend to run a lot of programs at once, do image or video editing, or play intensive games. Most home computers don’t really need more than 4GB of memory. If you’re made of money you could always get more and extend the longevity of your machine, but the money is probably better spent elsewhere on the system.
Graphics card A dedicated card to speed up graphics is mainly used for gaming, video acceleration, and photo and video editing; though even Windows, Mac OS X and Linux will take advantage of graphics cards to make your operating system look prettier!
As a technology they are ubiquitous, such that even entry-level systems have accelerated graphics of some sort. They also have their own memory onboard, which helps to do graphic intensive tasks faster, as well as store the image of the screen you see before it actually gets displayed on your monitor. Graphics cards generally provide much faster performance than “integrated graphics”, also called “onboard graphics”, which is a graphics chipset mounted on the computer’s motherboard. The main graphics card makers are nVidia and ATI and the diversity of cards available can be confusing – they range in price from well under than $100 to more than $1000.
Be sure to look for at least a 256MB card at the low end, but preferably a 512MB card as a minimum.
Sound card As with graphics cards, you can also get dedicated sound cards too. The better cards support surround sound speaker systems up to 7.1 (seven speakers plus subwoofer). While sound cards aren’t often expensive, unless you plan to do audio editing or expect the very best from your games, the on-board sound built into most motherboards these days is already high-fidelity and good for all but the purists.
Optical drive Your computer should have at least one optical drive. Even budget PCs will usually come with a versatile multiformat DVD reader and burner, which can also read and burn CDs. A single layer DVD disc holds up to 4.7 GB of data, while a dual-layer (or double-layer) disc holds up to 8.5 GB. Some mid- or high-end PCs may also come with a Blu-ray combo drive, which reads/plays Blu-ray discs and burns DVDs and CDs.
Is "renting" an option?
Even a bargain PC that includes a monitor and costs under $1000 is a substantial investment. More so for a mid-range PC from about $1500, up to a high-performance machine costing $6000 or more. Is it worth renting your next system and putting your cash to better use elsewhere?
Several companies provide technology leasing services, offering agreements that let you obtain the system you want for a lower initial cash payment (usually the first month’s rental), followed by monthly payments over an agreed term of two, three or four years. This gives you the flexibility of upgrading equipment to newer, faster technology during the contract period (the minimum wait period varies between providers). Leasing computer equipment can provide tax benefits for some people and businesses, but we advise that you seek professional tax advice before signing a contract.
The bottom line is, renting a computer will spread the cost over time, but it eventually costs more and you won’t own the equipment unless you pay an additional lump sum.
Beware the "bargain" PC!
It may seem like a bargain, but if your new PC can’t be upgraded or expanded and doesn't have enough processing power or memory to last you for a few years, you could end up short-changing yourself. Even if you’re keen for an entry-level PC, make sure the processor will cope with the major programs you use and has sufficient memory and hard drive space to cope with present demands. Preferably, it should have room to add more memory and another (or larger) hard drive if required later. This is a problem in small form factor (mini) PCs. As with notebook computers, room inside the case is limited and adding more memory or a larger capacity hard drive later could mean throwing out your current hardware, making your bargain PC not such a bargain after all.
Does the PC come with a monitor and what type and size? LCD flat panel displays are the norm these days but some bargain systems still come with the old style cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor.
Does your bargain bundle include everything you need, including keyboard, mouse and program software, and enough connection ports? Most external devices will use USB 2.0 ports, so make sure you have enough to go around, but more and more external hard drives are now shipping with the much faster USB 3.0 standard.
Did you know?
Linux is an option from some PC suppliers. Not only is it noted for its stability and security, it will run on most hardware (where drivers are available). There is a huge variety of Linux versions (called distributions), with perhaps the most popular being Ubuntu. It’s available free from www.ubuntu.com.
Save money on software. Download low-cost and free alternatives to big-name programs from sites such as Download.com, Softpedia.com and Tucows.com.