Selection of cheap computers can be fun and exciting. Or it can be mysterious and end up costing you more than it should. Here are some ideas to help. The selection of a computer comes down to the needs and power of the computer. You need to understand both before you go shopping.
The strength of the computer is determined by certain key components. They are the CPU, RAM, hard drive, graphics card and sound card. This article will review these parts and explain them so you can avoid the many selection pitfalls when buying any computer or laptop.
Your intended use
First, it’s important to determine exactly what you intend to use the computer for. That’s because you should buy a computer that’s right for your needs, and NOT just because of price, color, cabinet design, or because it’s what a store has in stock. Your primary considerations should be a balance between your ability to pay and whether the computer is powerful enough to handle your computing needs. Otherwise, you’re paying for excess processor and RAM that you’ll never use.
I recommend that you write down on paper exactly what you want to do with a computer. If you know what software programs and games you will be running, write them down. If you have these programs and you still have the box they came in, look in the box and see what operating systems (O/S) they will run on and the amount of RAM and other requirements your programs require.
Note that the most popular operating system today is Microsoft Vista©. Unfortunately, many or all of the software and games you have now probably won’t run on Vista.
Vista is a more complicated system, and software usually has to be built specifically for Vista in order to run. If you want to keep the programs and games you use now, you may want to look only for a new computer running Microsoft XP (usually Microsoft XP Professional) or you’ll need to purchase upgrades or new programs and games that will run on a new computer running Vista.
Most new computers will come with some software already installed on the computer, such as Microsoft Office, which includes various programs such as Microsoft Word.
your budget
You will need to consider your budget when purchasing any computer or laptop. Standard or entry-level computers are low-end systems that will handle most everyday computing needs for the home, light office, individual users, and students. Such uses would include browsing the Internet, using email, writing and editing reports, doing accounting, downloading and listening to music, watching some videos, and light graphics editing. Many games can be played on a standard computer, if a suitable graphics card is installed.
However, dedicated gamers and those who want to do a lot of graphics, photo editing, and video editing will need the more expensive high-end systems that have the right Athlon or Intel processors, the right graphics and sound cards, and lots of RAM memory for good 3D rendering and graphics intensive use.
When determining your computer’s needs, you need to assess how much power it needs. If you have specific graphics software programs, such as an Adobe program, or games you own or want to purchase, check the software and game boxes for recommended system specifications.
These specifications should be your guide when searching for computer systems.
computer components
Okay, so it gets a bit tricky here, but I’ll keep it simple. It is important to understand computer components to get a better idea of what makes computers work. Here are the most essential components and parts in a computer.
THE PROCESSOR
The processor, or CPU, is the brain of the system. It is just a chip and it is located on the motherboard, which is a large board system in the computer. All other computer components are designed around the processor because the processor is the master regulator of the entire system. It is the most expensive element of a computer, so the overall strength of a computer is determined by the quality of the processor.
Currently, AMD Sempron and Athlon are common low-end processors. Low-end RAM chips will only handle minimal graphics, which means older or less demanding games and typical screen graphics. AMD Phenom Quad and Intel Core(TM) 2 Duo are midrange, which means they are stronger and can handle more. While the AMD Phenom X4 and Intel Core(TM) Quad Q9450 are high-end, they are fully capable of full 3D rendering and graphics-intensive use.
RAM
System Memory, or RAM or Memory RAM, is the computer’s temporary memory. Generally, the more RAM you have, the better your computer will perform. Not too long ago, a good standard computer would have 512 MB of memory. Things have changed. Now many low-end and mid-range computers will have up to 1 GB of DDR II RAM. High-end computers will have 2 GB or even 4 GB of DDR II or DDR III RAM.
HDD
The hard drive is the permanent memory of the computer. In general, it’s best to get as many as possible, and hard drives are no longer expensive. Today, a typical hard drive in a standard computer should be a minimum of 40 GB, but will typically be around 80 GB. Mid-range computers are usually 200 GB or more. While the high-end will have up to 1,000 GB. Look for the speed of the hard drive, 7200 RPM Serial ATA is desirable.
A person who downloads a lot of MP3s or edits video (not professionally) will want at least 160 GB minimum.
GRAPHICS CARDS
Low-end computers and some mid-range computers will have an integrated motherboard, which means that the graphics card is part of the motherboard. This will work well if you will be using your computer primarily for non-graphics intensive programs, including non-3D games.
Serious gamers, photo editors, video editors, and those into graphics creation will want a separate, higher quality graphics card, sometimes referred to as a video card. Popular graphics cards include NVIDIA® GeForce® 9300GE and ATI® Radeon(TM) HD 4870 X2. Right now, high-end high-end cards include Dual ATI Radeon® HD 4850-CrossFire and NVIDIA® 9800 GTX.
SOUND CARD
In many low-end systems, the sound card is “built in” to the motherboard. In other low-end and some mid-range systems, the sound card is “integrated” with the graphics card.
A separate sound card (not integrated with the graphics card or motherboard) may indicate a better sound system, but that depends on the quality of the card. High-end sound cards include Creative Labs Sound Blaster® Audigy®2 ZS High Definition and Intel® High-Definition 7.1 Audio.
MONITORS
Monitors are a matter of personal taste. Some people still prefer the older CRT monitors, even though they take up more space on a desk and are heavy. However, many LCD monitors are now being sold. LCD is now the standard even for low-end computers. I recommend at least a 17-inch screen. Of course, the bigger the screen, the better.
PORTS
Look and make sure that the system is compliant with the latest USB 2.0 specification. If you plan to capture and edit video, make sure your computer has FireWire ports.
In summary
By understanding computer components and other vital parts, and understanding your computer needs, you can make a wise selection of cheap computers. Buying only what you need is good for the environment, and you’ll save money in the process.