Buying a computer can be an overwhelming task for some people. Before your start looking, you should determine what exactly you want this computer to do for you. An economy-type model is something you would consider if you are only using it for word processing and e-mail. A mainstream computer is one that would allow you to use office applications and multimedia functions such as burning CDs and DVDs, and viewing complex web pages. People that want to play complex games, or use high-end multimedia applications, would need a high performance computer.
The main specification to look at is the processor. You definitely want to choose something towards the upper end of the speed range. The speed of a processor is measured in Gigahertz (GHz), with higher numbers representing faster speed, and higher cost. The fastest processor out there now will be at the top end of the price range and may only provide a marginal increase in performance. However, buying the cheapest and slowest model may create problems if it has to struggle to satisfy the demands of the latest software.
To get the best value, most people will go for processors that run a couple of notches below the fastest chips. A rule of thumb would be to buy a processor that is about two-thirds the speed of the top-end processor speed. If you get anything slower, you may be looking to upgrade in a very short period of time, instead being able to wait the usual two to three years before upgrading.
The next important specification to consider is the random access memory (RAM). This memory plays a crucial role in the overall speed and performance of the PC. Remember that the maximum possible speed of the memory is determined by the motherboard, which the RAM and the processor are attached to. Generally, you should try to get the most memory that the motherboard and CPU can support. If you do not have enough memory, your applications will run much slower and some high-end games or video editing software may not even run at all on your machine.
Do not forget that the RAM memory is just storage to hold data while your machine is running and it will clear itself every time you turn off your system. Since you will need to store things permanently, you will need a reliable hard disk drive. With hard drives bigger is definitely better. Sizes range anywhere from 40 GB, which is actually small by today’s standards, up to around 250 GB, and larger. If you are storing movies or doing video editing, you will need a large hard drive to store these enormous files.
If you plan to store music, digital pictures, plus a few video files as well, you should buy the biggest drive you can afford. For more general use where you do not plan to store any video files, you could get away with a medium sized hard drive around 80 GB. The speed of the hard drive is also very important as the quicker your PC can access data on the hard drive, the quicker the overall performance will be.
The video card and monitor can easily account for half the cost of a new PC. This is another area where you should evaluate your needs first before you buy. If you are running high-end games for instance, you will need an expensive high performing video card and monitor to match. However, if you are only using this PC for email and some word processing, then it would be a big waste of money to get the most expensive video card. Also, you should not buy a PC with the graphics card built right onto the motherboard. Instead, opt for a video card that plugs into the motherboard but has its own memory. This will provide better video performance, and will also give you the flexibility to pick a video card that suits you.
Of course, there are various other components that can go into every PC, but the ones above are the most critical to performance. However, these other secondary components will definitely affect your overall satisfaction so you should decide which ones you need and make sure your new PC has them. For example, you may need a disc drive that both plays and records to DVD discs. You could also require a certain number of USB (universal serial bus) ports to accommodate accessories such as printers, scanners, and cameras. These other secondary components will certainly vary from one system to another, so do not simply assume that a new PC will have what you need, ask before you agree to buy it.
When buying a new PC the best thing you can do is shop around. There is a lot of competition for PC sales, so shopping around will help you find a great deal. Make sure you determine exactly what your needs are first, and then start looking for a system that will satisfy all of your computing needs. Do not get talked into buying more computer than you need, but also make sure you purchase a computer that will measure up to your needs so you do not have to go out computer shopping again in another six months.