Need help buying a new computer

[windypie]

Ok, here's what I'm looking at:
512MB RAM (Should I go 1 Gig?)
160GB Hard Drive
17in LCD monitor (should I go 19in?)

What else should I be looking at?
What sort of video card? Is a tuner card different to a video card?

I'd like to keep it under $2500 if possible.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[jim boy]

Depends what you intend to do with it.

If you intend to play games, you'll need a high-end graphics card (a tuner card is for picking up tv).

Again with the monitor, gaming will affect your choice. If not gaming, a crt monitor is bulkier, but just as good and cheaper.

A large Hard drive is always, but you might be better off getting two 80 Gb, that way you can run your paging file on the second disk, which will see a minor performance improvement.

If you have a friend who knows anything about computers, drag them to a computer swap meet, http://www.comtrader.com.au/swap/dates.php3 that's where the best bargains are found.

 

[nonchalance]

Originally posted by Jim Boy
Depends what you intend to do with it.

Says it all, really.

More information required.

 

[mighty mick]

for ram wait till the dollar goes back up its cheaper then

tv tuner built into most good units now be able to record and burn tv stuff to dvd, hdtv cards now available

graphics card for gamers and art students with presentations.

beware going for say the latest speeds in dvd burners etc, 8 speed as the system you build or get may not cope.(can someone clarify this for me)

 

[daddy_4_eyes]

For someone who obviously knows fcuk all about computers, I don't see why you could possibly need 1 gig of RAM and 160GB harddrive? Think hard about what you actually need and not what looks pretty on paper.

 

[mighty mick]

for 2500 youd get one hell of a smack bang computer, i paid less than a grand for

2.8 gig p4 hyperthreading
512 ram
case
floppy
intel motherboard for upto p4 extreme 3.4 gig chip

ulead tv card 95 bucks
------------------------------------

extras or things i already had

cdrom 57speed $ <50 bucks
4 speed dvd multiformat burner $250 probably get an eight speed for 350 or less now

windows xp proffesional oem $165
cordless keyboard and mouse $199
decent 17inch lcd from around $ 650- $900
graphics card if your a game player your choice of cards 64/128 meg of ddr ram.
speakers $50 bucks unless your an audiophile.
harddrives arent gonna set you back much

 

[windypie]

Originally posted by daddy_4_eyes
For someone who obviously knows fcuk all about computers, I don't see why you could possibly need 1 gig of RAM and 160GB harddrive? Think hard about what you actually need and not what looks pretty on paper.

want me to buy you one too?

 

[CJ]

windypie, What do you intend to use it for?

IF it is just for "general" use then you specs you posted in your first post is more than fine. If you suddnely decide you need to upgrade your RAM or something, you can do that later and get better prices for it than if it was already in the comp when you buy it. The parts that go into a comp will be the FULL RRP price.
Also, that comp, will be fine for Gaming Online as long as you get a good video card and sound card. 512 RAM is the minimum amount.

IF you are intending to use it for SERIOUS Gaming or making Movies or 3D rendering or Audio mixing etc etc etc then you will definately need a more powerful comp with minimum 1gig RAM, Fast processor (3.0 AMD), graphics card (ATI 9800), Audigy 2 sound card

 

[windypie]

Originally posted by CJ
windypie, What do you intend to use it for?

IF it is just for "general" use then you specs you posted in your first post is more than fine. If you suddnely decide you need to upgrade your RAM or something, you can do that later and get better prices for it than if it was already in the comp when you buy it. The parts that go into a comp will be the FULL RRP price.
Also, that comp, will be fine for Gaming Online as long as you get a good video card and sound card. 512 RAM is the minimum amount.

IF you are intending to use it for SERIOUS Gaming or making Movies or 3D rendering or Audio mixing etc etc etc then you will definately need a more powerful comp with minimum 1gig RAM, Fast processor (3.0 AMD), graphics card (ATI 9800), Audigy 2 sound card

Thanks CJ. More general use, but will be doing a lot of transferring videos to DVD.

 

[mighty mick]

Originally posted by windypie
Thanks CJ. More general use, but will be doing a lot of transferring videos to DVD.

that one i showed is decent for that and you can upgrade ram when the dollar goes up again

 

[Joel]

Originally posted by Jim Boy
Again with the monitor, gaming will affect your choice. If not gaming, a crt monitor is bulkier, but just as good and cheaper.

http://www.pcreview.co.uk/article-4500.php

They reckon that new LCD monitors provide very good quality for gamers.

I'm looking at getting a new PC in about six months, so I've decided to do some research.

Going by what they are saying, I reckon the only difference with the new monitors is price. I would love an LCS, but I'm not sure I would be able to afford one just yet.

 

[Joel]

One thing for gamers though, is response time. If you get an LCD monitor (and are looking at gaming), you will want one with a low reponse time, otherwise you will get a ghosting/lag effect.

 

[jim boy]

Originally posted by Joel
I'm looking at getting a new PC in about six months, so I've decided to do some research.

I'd say in about six months or more will be the best time to buy. The new chipsets released by Intel have been the biggest leap in fundamental motherboard structure for a while, with native pci-express support, ditching of ac '97 for a far better sound system plus lots of other handy features. I'm personally going to wait until dual-core processors are launched before I upgrade as they should be quieter and cooler, literally.

 

[mighty mick]

can anyone recommend a decent video card for dvd rendering and 3d gaming

 

[M29]

Originally posted by windypie
Ok, here's what I'm looking at:
512MB RAM (Should I go 1 Gig?)
160GB Hard Drive
17in LCD monitor (should I go 19in?)

What else should I be looking at?

Get a SATA HD. Go for the GB ram.

I'd say get an AMD64, but as yet, there is no 64bit WinOS, and most likely, it won't play games for the first year of its release.

 

[jim boy]

Re: Re: Need help buying a new computer

Originally posted by M29
I'd say get an AMD64, but as yet, there is no 64bit WinOS

What about win xp 64 bit edition? And then you can use the WOW 64 emulation layer to run 32 bit applications.

 

[M29]

Re: Re: Re: Need help buying a new computer

Originally posted by Jim Boy
What about win xp 64 bit edition? And then you can use the WOW 64 emulation layer to run 32 bit applications.

Ins't Win 64 in beta still? I see updates available on the WU site for it.

Unless I meant that they're aren't any game companies supporting the 64 yet.

 

[Joel]

Personally, I'm not going to get a AMD64 for my new computer, just yet. I want to wait a bit, until the technology has matured a bit.

Same with LCDs. Atm, they are making some pretty good LCDs (ie. Samsung 172x - $800 odd bucks), however, I want to wait a bit to see if they come down in price, and for the actual technology to get better. Personally, atm I would prefer to get a very good quality 19" CRT monitor for around $400.

If you are wondering where I'm getting these prices from; cpl.net.au

 

[Joel]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Need help buying a new computer

Originally posted by M29
Ins't Win 64 in beta still? I see updates available on the WU site for it.

Unless I meant that they're aren't any game companies supporting the 64 yet.

As far as I know, it is still beta, testing is still being done.

 

[jim boy]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Need help buying a new computer

Originally posted by Joel
As far as I know, it is still beta, testing is still being done.

Its past beta, but you can't buy it retail, only as OEM.

 

[Joel]

I read an article only recently that said they are still beta testing.

What's the point in getting if Windows 64 bit video card drivers etc are still buggy and in beta stage? There is no point.

People might as well wait till technology is cheaper and bugs have been ironed out.

 

[PurplePower]

I'm going to the Intel Channel Conference on Monday, as I work at one of the major distis. as a sales consult. The 64bit Windows Longhorn is still in beta (we have it). But the new Intel P4 LGA775 Prescotts are due in very soon along with the new 912/925 chipset Intel boards (64bit! yay!) so i would wait for these as there is no point buying so called current (old) technology. As for graphics card go for a Leadtek FX5900 (or the new 6800) for around the $350 mark. RAM is pretty good $ at the moment but the new boards can take up to 500mhtz. For the new chips and boards you need new type cases too. If your buying a new LCD always get them to turn it on for you, to check for pixels. Mitsubishi DV175 17" LCD is what I have and is awesome for games and use, would not buy any other. You should be able to get all and more for your 2.5 K - I certainly could.

 

[Joel]

What's the response time on that LCD?

 

[PurplePower]

They say 20ms maximum. One of the best things about Mitsubishi is there quoted spec's are always conservative. My contact at Mitsubishi says the DV175 outperforms 16ms LCD's so thats good enough for me. When you see 16ms refresh rate being advertised I bet ya anything it's not during games, where it can be up to 30ms so 20ms maximum is indeed excellent. You buy a cheap LCD for games you will be disappointed!