One of the toughest jobs these days while purchasing a PC is - how to get the best possible configuration, preventing it from getting obsolete in 6 months, without hurting the pocket. Post budget, prices of branded PC came down, but they don?t offer the mix and match flexibility of configurations at desired prices.
The most money-intensive parts of a PC are its Processor, Motherboard, RAM, Hard Disc and Monitor. They account for more than 75% of costs.
Processor:
The Processors makers are Intel & AMD.
Intel has been around for ages. The products are reliable. Cost is their main negative point. In Intel, go for the hyper-threading(HT) enabled Processor. Most applications don?t require HT at the current moment, but all(3-D gaming being the first one) would soon.
AMD prices are attractive. They generate a lot of heat. But AMD claims to have solved the over-heating problem. Still, you need an additional processor-cooling fan in a dual-fan cabinet(better safe than sorry). AMD service network is not very prominent in India.
As regards the 32-bit v/s 64-bit processing(actually it?s another full discussion), there are hardly any 64-bit software around. Currently only AMD has a 64-bit Processor, Intel?s is expected soon.
Recommended - Intel P IV Socket 478 @ 3.4GHz(HT)
Motherboard:
Things to look for in a motherboard are:
Front Side Bus speed(FSB). For 32-bit Processors, Intel has motherboards of 800 MHz FSB while AMD has 400 MHz of FSB. Only AMD 64-bit motherboards have 800 MHz FSB.(Advantage- Higher FSB, Better Performance)
It has how many RAM slots. It allows RAM upgrades to what levels.
RAM support is for Single channel or Dual channel.(Dual channel improves the performance, but needs two identical RAMS)
The Sound card(minimum 5.1 channel) and the Graphics card(minimum 128MB) integrated or extra purchases.(Advantage: Costs come down. Disadvantage: Later upgrades are difficult).
How many USB ports, expansion slots are there for later upgrades.
Has LAN support, is it broadband ready.(Can save modem cost and invest it here)
Most reliable(but costliest) motherboards are by Asus for both Intel and AMD based Processors.
Recommended - Asus P4P800 Series, socket 478 based on Intel Chipset.
RAM:
Get DDR RAM of highest frequency.
Currently it?s 400MHz. The 533MHz RAM is out but not in India. Higher RAM improves performance but costs keep going up too.
Taking a 1Giga DDR RAM(512 x 2) takes care of all needs. Otherwise go for 512MB(256 x 2).
Two good brands are Kingstone and Hyundai.
Recommended - Hyundai 256(x 2) DDR RAM @ 400 MHz
Hard Disc:
Get the hard disc of highest available speed(RPM). Latest is 7200RPM. The disc size(40GB, 80GB?) depends on your requirements and cost.
Seagate and Samsung are both good. Samsung gives 3 years warranty, while Seagate(1 year warranty) is an established player in this field for many years.
Recommended - Seagate 40GB / 80GB @ 7200RPM
Monitor:
Go for a flat screen monitor. Optimal size based on cost is a 17-inch flat screen(if you think 15 is small and 19 is too costly). There are many good brands Samsung, LG, Philips, View Sonic. Buy the cheapest one, which has a 3-year warranty.
Graphics Card:
Get a 128MB card, it will take care of your 3-D gaming needs(gaming freaks should consider 256 MB cards). There is a battle on between nVIDIA and ATI Radeon.
NVIDIA has FX5200(128 MB) and FX5200 / FX5600(256 MB) series. In comparison ATI Radeon has 9600(128 MB) and 9800 / X800(256 MB) series.
nVIDIA FX5200 and ATI Radeon 9600 are both value buys in 128MB. However Radeon 256 MB card is a performance buy and very costly.
Recommended - 128MB FX5200 / ATI Radeon 9600XT from Asus.
Sound Card:
Ideally it?s integrated on the motherboard. If not, then a 5.1 channels sound card having Dolby decoding.
Recommended - Creative 5.1 series
Speakers
5.1 channels speakers with a good sub-woofer.
Decide based on the funds. Paying higher makes a good home theater.
Recommended - Creative / Altech Lancing with 5.1 channels or higher.
CD Writer:
Go for the Combo Drives with DVD Read(16x) and CD R/W(52x). These are value for money products and give you a DVD Home Theater(You need a 5.1 channel sound card & speaker combination).
Recommended - DVD Combo from Sony / Samsung / Asus.
Other items:
Keyboard: Logitech Multi-media recommended.
Mouse: Logitech Optical Scroll recommended.
Modem: Dlink Internal modem 56.6Kbps recommended.
Cabinet: Dual fan, minimum 300W SMPS of a good brand
Spike Protector
Optional:
Printer / Scanner: Buy if needed. Try the combo options to reduce costs.
UPS: Buy only if there are frequent power outages.
Voltage Stabilizer: Useful if you have wild voltage fluctuations.
Floppy Drive: Buy if required
Some General Points
1. Surf websites of the product makers you have short-listed to get product details and configurations.
Ask the seller for a price quotation and compare prices from a few places.(Reason: To ensure the seller is not ripping you off. Caution: The prices fluctuate almost daily.)
Re-check prices of the products just before the purchase. There are some good places(Baazee etc) where the hardware prices can be seen.
Try to make the purchase from a reputed shop. Ask if he shall assemble it for you and load basic o/s and software without charges.
Make sure you get the bills with the serial numbers mentioned for all the items.
Another good idea is to go for the best available hardware but never the latest one.(Reason: Just one notch below the latest is usually priced much lower than the latest. It would have been around for some time for all its problems to surface)
Some configurations to get you going
AMD PC
AMD Athelon 2800 / 3000 XP
Asus A7N8X VM - nVIDIA Chipset(400FSB, Integrated 5.1 channel sound & AGP 8X)
Hyundai 256MB DDR RAM @ 400MHz(x 2)
Seagate 40Gb HDD @ 7200 RPM
17 inch Flat Monitor(Samsung / LG / Philips)
Creative 5.1 channel Speakers
Asus 52X CD R/W
Logitech Multimedia Keyboard / Optical Mouse
Dual Fan ATX Cabinet with minimum 300W SMPS
Extra Heat Sink for AMD Processor
Intel PC
Intel Pentium IV Socket 478 @ 3.0 / 3.4 GHz(HT)
Asus P4 P-800 Deluxe - Intel Chipset(800FSB, Integrated 5.1 channel sound)
Hyundai 512MB DDR RAM @ 400MHz(x 2)
Seagate 80Gb HDD @ 7200 RPM
17 inch Flat Monitor(View Sonic/ Samsung / LG / Philips)
Altech Lancing 5.1 channel Speakers
Asus / Sony 16X DVD plus 52X CD R/W(Combo Drive)
Digi Color 256 MB FX5200
Logitech Multimedia Keyboard / Optical Mouse
Dual Fan ATX Cabinet with minimum 300W SMPS
Notes:
a) The above configurations are to provide give an idea about how a PC can be configured. There will(indeed) be variations of requirements from one person to another.
b) 533 DDR RAM, though launched, is currently not available readily in India.
c) Asus brand has been recommended for some of the products since its quality is better than the compatriots(costs are high though). Y
