| This article will run through each of these factors to | | | | either integrated video on the motherboard, or a |
| help you avoid the many pitfalls that one may stumble | | | | physical video card. If you play a lot of games, |
| across when purchasing a PC.Some sample desktop | | | | especially 3D games like Half-Life 2, you will not want |
| computer systemsIntended UsageWhat do you intend | | | | to rely on integrated video. Make sure the system has |
| to use the computer for? This is one of the key | | | | a physical video card with at least AGP 8X and 256 |
| considerations when purchasing that desktop system. | | | | MB of video memory.SoundAgain, it is common for |
| The main goal here is to get a system that will suit | | | | computers to come with integrated sound on the |
| your computing needs. If you're using the computer for | | | | motherboard these days. However, if you're a |
| professional or business purposes, you'll want to factor | | | | computer audio buff, go for a separate third-party |
| stability and service support into your purchase | | | | sound card like the Creative Audigy Sound |
| decision. On the other hand, if you intend to use the | | | | Card.PortsUSB ports are almost standard features in |
| system at home, you may want a more well-rounded | | | | desktop computer systems today. In fact, you'll want |
| PC that can handle multimedia applications, web surfing | | | | to check that the system comes with support for the |
| easily.BudgetYou'll certainly need to consider your | | | | latest USB 2.0 specification. Even better if it comes |
| budget buying that PC. Low-end budget systems will | | | | with FireWire ports (which are essential for video |
| save you a lot of money and are suitable for most | | | | capture and editing).Operating SystemOperating |
| home users. High-end systems with the latest Athlon | | | | System |
| 64 or Intel Pentium 4 processors will cost more and will | | | | The majority of computer systems these days ship |
| be more suitable for those who want to play the latest | | | | with Windows XP Home Edition, which is suitable for |
| 3D games or do heavy video or graphics | | | | home users. Business users should look for Windows |
| editing.System FeaturesOK, here's where it gets | | | | XP Professional or Windows 2000 Professional to be |
| complicated. A typical desktop PC has got so many | | | | bundled in the package.Technical SupportAfter-sale |
| components, it's hard to decide which system is good | | | | support and warranty periods are a prime |
| or bad. We're talking about a whole plethora of | | | | consideration especially you have no experience in |
| components from memory, video cards, sound cards, | | | | troubleshooting computers. Most basic warranty |
| optical drives and so on.Here's a stab at the most | | | | periods last for a year or two and are sufficient for |
| essential components in the PC and what you should | | | | the average user. Don't go for an extended warranty |
| look out for:CPUsThe CPU is the brain of your system | | | | period without reading the fine print. Most of the time, |
| - so it's a key consideration when buying that PC. The | | | | it's not necessary to have overly long warranty |
| older chips like Intel Celeron and Intel Pentium 3 chips | | | | periods as the reasonable lifetime of your computer |
| are now starting to become obsolete. If you want your | | | | will be about 4 to 5 years at most.Recommended |
| system to last for some time, go for newer | | | | Desktop ComputersNow let's take a look at some of |
| processors like the Intel Pentium 4 and AMD Athlon | | | | the desktop computer systems I'd recommend to a |
| 64.MemorySystem memory is also very important - | | | | prospective buyer. Take note that the systems below |
| you can never have enough of it. Typically, look for at | | | | do not include a computer monitor.EMachines |
| least 512 MB of memory in the desktop you want to | | | | W3052This is one hot desktop. Running on a AMD |
| buy. Anything less while pose a problem for business | | | | Sempron 2 GHz processor, with 512 MB of RAM and |
| or graphics applications.MotherboardsIf you're buying | | | | a 120 GB hard disk, the eMachines W3052 is a top |
| the system off the shelf from vendors like HP, Dell or | | | | seller. Also comes with a media card reader, LAN |
| eMachines, the motherboard brand will usually not be | | | | support, a DVD+/- RW drive and a pre-installed copy |
| an issue. In fact, most PC manufacturers don't publish | | | | of Windows XP Home Edition. Really incredible value |
| the type of motherboard used in their desktops. The | | | | at an affordable price.The eMachines W3052 desktop |
| motherboard brand is of greater importance if you are | | | | computerGateway 552GEAnother great value for |
| building your own PC.Hard DrivesMy advice to you | | | | money system. The Gateway 552GE comes with an |
| here is - get as much hard disk space as you can | | | | Intel Pentium 4 3.2 GHz DVD+/- RW drive, in-built audio |
| afford. A typical hard disk by today's standards would | | | | / video and LAN support, as well as Windows XP |
| be about 80 GB at least. If you do a lot of downloading | | | | Home Edition to round off the package.The Gateway |
| off the Internet, or edit videos or have a huge collection | | | | 552GE desktop computerHewlett Packard Pavilion |
| of MP3s, you'd be better off with at least a 160 GB | | | | a1130nThe Hewlett Packard Pavilion a1130n is a |
| hard disk.Optical DrivesA CD-ROM drive is now a | | | | spectacular machine and definitely my option, if I had |
| standard feature in all computers. Make sure you're | | | | enough cash :( It comes with a AMD Athlon 64 2.2 |
| getting at least a 40X CD-ROM read speed. An | | | | GHz CPU, 1 massive GB RAM and a 250 GB hard |
| additional consideration these days would be whether | | | | drive. It includes a DVD+/- RW drive, in-built audio / |
| you want read-write capability - many computers now | | | | video, Firewire support, as well as a LAN adapter. A |
| come with CD-RW drives. DVD-ROM drives are also | | | | really powerful machine.The Hewlett Packard Pavilion |
| being bundled in desktops. Even better, some come | | | | a1130n desktop computerConclusionIn summary, buying |
| with DVD-RW drives which will save you the cost of | | | | a good desktop PC is a matter of doing your research |
| buying a separate DVD writer later on.MonitorsI guess | | | | and homework by considering each of the factors |
| the key consideration here is whether you want a | | | | above. If possible, go to the manufacturer's website to |
| CRT or LCD display. My opinion is to go for at least a | | | | source for more in-depth material (read the fine print |
| 17 inch monitor if you want a CRT display, and at least | | | | too). Good luck!Gary Hendricks runs a hobby site on |
| a 15 inch monitor for LCD displays. Good brand names | | | | building computers. Visit his website at for tips and |
| here are: NEC, Samsung and | | | | tricks on assembling a PC, as well as buying good |
| ViewSonic.GraphicsComputer systems come with | | | | computer components. |