NTRLS IT: Real Stories
What to look for when buying a new PC, the basics
Issue / Problem:
Buying a new pc? Looking to get the best bang for your buck on life time of the pc?
Background Information you should know about:
What is Windows 7? Windows 7 is the next operating system from Microsoft available to replace earlier
versions of Windows. What is a CPU? A CPU is the central processing unit in your computer, i.e. the
brain of the PC. What is RAM? RAM stands for Random Access Memory and it is where your CPU does
all its processing. What is a video card also called a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)? The video card is
what processes your display for games, multimedia and standard display for your computer. What is a
HDD, also called a Hard Disk Drive? The HDD is where all of your computer's information is stored and
the faster the disk spin the faster the access time is and the larger it is the more room you have for
storage of data.
Resolution / How we solved the problem:
Before you run off and buy a new PC you need to consider the following things:
1. The O/S or operating system for your new computer. Most of the vendors are still offering an
XP downgrade option which allows the PC to still be shipped with Windows XP and has the disks
and licensing to replace or upgrade the PC to Windows 7. If you are sure all of your 3rd party
software is compatible with Windows 7, then you should just go ahead and choose Windows 7
and save yourself the trouble of doing work twice and get it with Windows 7 already installed.
2. What type of O/S (32 bit or 64 bit) should you get? That depends on the scalability of the PC
and life you want to get out of the PC. IMO, it is probably wiser to go ahead and start shifting to
the 64 bit version of Windows 7 because it will allow you less work of reinstalls later on down
the road when most software shifts to 64 bit and also because this version usually supports your
current 32 bit software and it allows access to larger RAM for the system and programs instead
of being limited to 4 GB in the 32 bit version of Windows.
3. Make sure you choose a Dual core processor (CPU) or better (Quad Core) from AMD or Intel. If
you go with Intel make sure that the processor is at least an Intel Core 2 Duo or better,
preferably the i5 or i7 series processor. Try to stay away from the i3 as it is simply the new label
from Intel to replace the Celeron and if you want any life out of the machine for extended
periods of time, it is best to do this as the Celeron style processor has reduced instructions in
the CPU and will become obsolete before the others will.
4. When choosing your RAM, make sure you get at least 4GB (or more if going 64 bit). More RAM
means faster computer and less HDD paging.
5. Make sure you get a PCI express video card if you can with at least 256MB of RAM. Your
computer will run much faster if it doesn’t have to use system RAM and resources to process
your games (3D or 2D), multimedia such as movies, and Windows in general. Taking the load off
the CPU helps the PC run faster.
6. HDD space is important. I think you should consider at least 250GB of HDD space and at least a
7200 spin with at least 8MB of cache RAM. The more cache RAM and the faster the spin speed
of the HDD the faster your computer will be. It will allow for better seek times and faster load
times which in turn helps your PC out all around and the more space you have the easier it will
be for you to have more room to store bigger projects.
7. The last thing I’d like to mention as to what to look for when buying a PC is a decent internal
sound card. Most motherboards come with a built in sound card, some are better than others.
Although not as necessary as the rest of the items, it does help out with multimedia and games
if you have a decent internal sound card that is not built into the motherboard. Creative Labs
and Turtle Beach sound cards come to mind here. It is the same reasoning as for the video card
but for your sound quality. Also I would like to mention that if you do get a separate sound
card, it usually helps if you also get speakers or a headset to compliment the experience. What I
mean by this is, why bother getting a surround sound card if you don’t have the speakers to
hear your games or multimedia in surround sound?
If you have any questions or comments, please contact me at abeatty@ntrls.org.