lesser-equity

Magazine
Go Back   Computer Juice > Computer Hardware > General Hardware Chat


Register


Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 15th Apr 2007, 00:25
New Member Group
 
Hello.

My cousin's computer recently went south (incredibly slow to do anything, no virii/spyware, just old I guess), and they are talking about getting a new one.
The thing is, they don't play games on it. At all. They will be using it to do homework, and browse the internet.
There is no point upgrading the one they have, because it is very slow, and it would cost more in parts than a new one.

The thing is, I have built computers before, and I am kind of on-the-pulse with high-end parts, but when it comes to the basics, I just don't know what is... slow enough to be worth it!

I have been looking at Dell, who has a basic system, with 1gb RAM, a 3500+ processor, 160gb HD, integrated graphics, and a 17" monitor, for £342. Do you think that is an okay deal? Do you know anyone better? A shop would also be good, because they need one ASAP!

Can someone please help me?
  #2  
Old 15th Apr 2007, 02:49
Donor Group
 
Firstly, if you go Dell you'll be assured of a good monitor, and for the 'base' (no upgrades) system a competitive price.

But before responding fully can you advise if it comes with vista? if so i highly recommend 2gb ram even if they're not gaming.

Also, as it has an integrated gpu you'll lose some ram as the graphics chipset will steal some of it. (You may be able to reset this to the default 64mb in the bios, but as Dell are notorious for restricting access to certain items in a mobo's bios, you also may not).

Can i assume the cpu you quote is the AMD 3500? if so its fine for the usage you're quoting but even for just internet surfing and office stuff i would still recommend the Core2 duo E4300 or E6300. Not much more money, but a noticeable increase in performance comparably.

If you do go the 2gb route or the core2 route, don't buy from Dell. Unless you can get a base spec pc with the cpu/ram amount quoted as Dell charge a bloomin' fortune for upgrades.

If you want to go down the build route let us know.
__________________
heard wow is a better contraceptive then the pill, no joke i played rs for 2-3 years and 2 weeks after i stopped i lost my virginity.

-Kanoakavirus
__________________

My System: Zoomy

Processor(s):
E8400 @ 3.6ghz (400x9) @ 1.15v
Motherboard:
Asus P5K Premium
RAM Memory:
2GB Dominator 8500
Graphics Card(s):
BFG 8800GT
Sound Card:
Xfi Extremegamer
Hard Drive(s):
3.35TB ext storage. 2TB int storage
Optical Drive(s):
LG GGC H20L
Case / PSU:
Enermax 720w
Cooling:
AC7
Network / Internet:
Monitor(s):
245B, 931B (Samsung)
Operating System(s):
Vista 32P
  #3  
Old 15th Apr 2007, 10:25
New Member Group
 
Well, we ran a further virus check today, and it brought up some new spyware/virii. I got rid of them, and added an extra 512mb RAM. Since then, it is running a lot more smoothly, and is sufficient for homework.

Thanks for the help.
  #4  
Old 22nd Apr 2007, 08:24
Member Group
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by alex View Post
Firstly, if you go Dell you'll be assured of a good monitor, and for the 'base' (no upgrades) system a competitive price.

But before responding fully can you advise if it comes with vista? if so i highly recommend 2gb ram even if they're not gaming.

Also, as it has an integrated gpu you'll lose some ram as the graphics chipset will steal some of it. (You may be able to reset this to the default 64mb in the bios, but as Dell are notorious for restricting access to certain items in a mobo's bios, you also may not).

Can i assume the cpu you quote is the AMD 3500? if so its fine for the usage you're quoting but even for just internet surfing and office stuff i would still recommend the Core2 duo E4300 or E6300. Not much more money, but a noticeable increase in performance comparably.

If you do go the 2gb route or the core2 route, don't buy from Dell. Unless you can get a base spec pc with the cpu/ram amount quoted as Dell charge a bloomin' fortune for upgrades.

If you want to go down the build route let us know.
I wouldn't suggest using Dell, they are only good for business and offices in my opinion. When ordering and creating your Dell computers they offer you others, and they add alot of money on.

If you are wanting to buy a computer use www.pcworld.co.uk, or create one using parts yourself.
  #5  
Old 22nd Apr 2007, 08:31
Administrator Group
 
Definitely do not buy from PC World.

They are overpriced, 100's of other online places are better and £100's cheaper.
__________________

My System: Hybr!d

Processor(s):
AMD Turion 64 x2 TL-64 2.2GHz
Motherboard:
HP nForce 560
RAM Memory:
2GB DDR2 PC2-5300
Graphics Card(s):
Nvidia 7150M Onboard Integrated
Sound Card:
5.1 Onboard Integrated
Hard Drive(s):
250GB 5400RPM SATA300
Optical Drive(s):
18x CD/DVDRW-DL ATA
Case / PSU:
Stock HP
Cooling:
Stock HP
Network / Internet:
10/100 Nic / 10MB Virgin Cable
Monitor(s):
17" WXGA+ HD BrightView Widescreen
Operating System(s):
Windows 7 Ultimate 32Bit
  #6  
Old 22nd Apr 2007, 09:45
Member Group
 
They only problem I think PC world as is that you have to pay for the year internet virus wall software with your purchase. I got my computer in the January time, so I probably got a discount.
  #7  
Old 22nd Apr 2007, 09:53
Administrator Group
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlueEew View Post
They only problem I think PC world as is that you have to pay for the year internet virus wall software with your purchase. I got my computer in the January time, so I probably got a discount.
You don't have to buy anti-virus with your purchase, it's just most people are duped into it.
  #8  
Old 22nd Apr 2007, 10:26
Member Group
 
I ended up buying the anti virus software, I need one anyway so I didn't mind.
  #9  
Old 22nd Apr 2007, 16:33
Banned Group
 
Don't even think about buying a mouse mat from PC World.
PC World policy is not to give Operating System disks with the pc so when it goes pear shaped YOU can't repair or reformat etc.
You have to take it back to them to get it fixed.
__________________

My System: #

Processor(s):
intel p4
Motherboard:
ecs 915pla2
RAM Memory:
1gb
Graphics Card(s):
ati radeon x1050
Sound Card:
diamond xtreme 7.1
Hard Drive(s):
160gb
Optical Drive(s):
dvd-rom combo drive dvd+/-rw
Case / PSU:
antech/x-power585
Cooling:
air
Network / Internet:
wireless
Monitor(s):
philips 109b6 19" CRT
Operating System(s):
windows xp
Reply

Register
Thread Tools




Arabic Bulgarian Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Traditional) Croatian Czech Danish Dutch English Finnish French German Greek Hebrew Hungarian Italian Japanese Korean Latvian Lithuanian Norwegian Polish Portuguese Romanian Russian Serbian Slovak Spanish Swedish Thai Turkish Ukrainian

Copyright ©2006 - 2009 Computer Juice.

Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2009 Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. SEO by vBSEO ©2009, Crawlability, Inc.