modern computer standards.

dposse · 01-09-2009, 12:44 PM

my computer is dying. it was a gift from a friend of my dads, and it's very close to dying. so, my parents are planning to get a new one. All we need is a CPU, since we have a good monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers.

What are the average standards for a CPU? we wont be doing any gaming, just regular web surfing. maybe downloading some music. we just want a system that will last for a little while, you know?

i just have no clue what the standards are for a CPU. RAM, hard drives, processors, ect. can you give me an average?

And, i really want to stay away from Vista. There's been way too many bad stories of that OS floating around. XP is still an option, isn't it?

Any ideas? Thanks.

Mirai Gen · 01-09-2009, 12:55 PM

Just as an FYI, a CPU is a Central Processing Unit, in other words the processor. Computer is the general term for a computer.

Are you capable of building your own or would you be better off buying a pre-built? And you said you weren't doing gaming, that makes things much easier and cheaper.

bobfish · 01-09-2009, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dposse

And, I really want to stay away from Vista. There's been way too many bad stories of that OS floating around. XP is still an option, isn't it?

If you're buying off the shelf, XP is nolonger an option. There are still copies of the OS floating around, but for the most part, you can't get it preinstalled.

I personally am running Vista and I haven't had too many problems. I'm mostly doing the same things you are.

dposse · 01-09-2009, 01:19 PM

okay, so i suck at using words and terms. would you mind answering the questions?

NMR · 01-09-2009, 01:23 PM

Well, would you like to do maybe any gaming in the foreseeable future? Cause it will raise the cost though. Also do you plan to order online or just head to your nearest outlet?

Also, what is the price range. If you put a good budget in, you could have a computer that will last a good 8+ years with proper maintenance.

Also, most stories you hear about Vista is that it is a hardware hog, and annoying. Most people put Vista on a computer that couldn't handle it, but nearly all computers today do. About all the "features" in Vista; You can come to us. I own a Vista machine that has significantly less statistics in it (1 gig of ram for example.), and it works well. Any computer you get shall run it just fine.

Offline, go to Micro Center. Pretty good place with very good deals. Online; no competition with newegg.com.

Though you're average computer should be good.

Look for:
-2.4 ghz Dual Core (Important!) processor (2.8 would be really good, and suggested if you might game.)
-2 gig+ of ram (More the merrier. Go for 3 for good measure.)
-At least 500 gigs of hard drive space. Also more the merrier.
-A DvD player/burner/etc. Lame I know, but some computers still don't have it.
-I'd suggest a (Proper, not on board.) video card, but you won' be need to much if you don't plan on playing games. Though, you should still get it, as it'll help the computer last longer. It will also help making everything smoother and clean.

That said, here's a decent quality one for under $500. Newegg naturally. This will also run older games well too, if you ever want, which is a bonus.

If you're willing to build your own, wait for Eltgarim, as he will be much better in helping you out. Also, if you build a computer, you will get a much better computer for the same price. Period.

dposse · 01-09-2009, 02:23 PM

We have a budget of about $200-$300. I know that may not be completely possible, but the computer we need is just for the family to use. No gaming. Even though a guy like me would love to have games, it's just not financially possible at the moment.

Eltargrim · 01-09-2009, 03:16 PM

What's the currency?

I ask this because the last time I did this I made a wonderful computer that ended up being too expensive because I priced it in USD when the budget was CAD.

dposse · 01-09-2009, 03:28 PM

huh? i'm an American.

and, yeah, okay...im not completely sure what my family's budget is. I think they're looking at about a $460 computer with 4GB RAM and 500GB hard drive, Intel duel-core processor.

Eltargrim · 01-09-2009, 05:07 PM

Get back to me with the precise budget. Can't really help you otherwise. Also: would you be comfortable assembling it?

NMR · 01-09-2009, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dposse

huh? i'm an American.

and, yeah, okay...im not completely sure what my family's budget is. I think they're looking at about a $460 computer with 4GB RAM and 500GB hard drive, Intel duel-core processor.

BAM! See my previous post. $450 with exactly what you asked for. Though Elt will give you a much better computer if you're willing to build it.

01-09-2009, 12:44 PM	#1
dposse Dominus of Megadues Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: I come from the land of the ice and snow. Posts: 277	modern computer standards. my computer is dying. it was a gift from a friend of my dads, and it's very close to dying. so, my parents are planning to get a new one. All we need is a CPU, since we have a good monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers. What are the average standards for a CPU? we wont be doing any gaming, just regular web surfing. maybe downloading some music. we just want a system that will last for a little while, you know? i just have no clue what the standards are for a CPU. RAM, hard drives, processors, ect. can you give me an average? And, i really want to stay away from Vista. There's been way too many bad stories of that OS floating around. XP is still an option, isn't it? Any ideas? Thanks. __________________ :bmage: *Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?* :fighter:

01-09-2009, 12:55 PM	#2
Mirai Gen We are Geth. Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 14,032	Just as an FYI, a CPU is a Central Processing Unit, in other words the processor. Computer is the general term for a computer. Are you capable of building your own or would you be better off buying a pre-built? And you said you weren't doing gaming, that makes things much easier and cheaper. __________________

01-09-2009, 01:19 PM	#4
dposse Dominus of Megadues Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: I come from the land of the ice and snow. Posts: 277	okay, so i suck at using words and terms. would you mind answering the questions? __________________ :bmage: *Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?* :fighter:

01-09-2009, 01:23 PM	#5
NMR Whoa... Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 491	Well, would you like to do maybe any gaming in the foreseeable future? Cause it will raise the cost though. Also do you plan to order online or just head to your nearest outlet? Also, what is the price range. If you put a good budget in, you could have a computer that will last a good 8+ years with proper maintenance. Also, most stories you hear about Vista is that it is a hardware hog, and annoying. Most people put Vista on a computer that couldn't handle it, but nearly all computers today do. About all the "features" in Vista; You can come to us. I own a Vista machine that has significantly less statistics in it (1 gig of ram for example.), and it works well. Any computer you get shall run it just fine. Offline, go to Micro Center. Pretty good place with very good deals. Online; no competition with newegg.com. Though you're average computer should be good. Look for: -2.4 ghz Dual Core (Important!) processor (2.8 would be really good, and suggested if you might game.) -2 gig+ of ram (More the merrier. Go for 3 for good measure.) -At least 500 gigs of hard drive space. Also more the merrier. -A DvD player/burner/etc. Lame I know, but some computers still don't have it. -I'd suggest a (Proper, not on board.) video card, but you won' be need to much if you don't plan on playing games. Though, you should still get it, as it'll help the computer last longer. It will also help making everything smoother and clean. That said, here's a decent quality one for under $500. Newegg naturally. This will also run older games well too, if you ever want, which is a bonus. If you're willing to build your own, wait for Eltgarim, as he will be much better in helping you out. Also, if you build a computer, you will get a much better computer for the same price. Period. __________________ A mystery to all but and known to a few.

01-09-2009, 02:23 PM	#6
dposse Dominus of Megadues Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: I come from the land of the ice and snow. Posts: 277	We have a budget of about $200-$300. I know that may not be completely possible, but the computer we need is just for the family to use. No gaming. Even though a guy like me would love to have games, it's just not financially possible at the moment. __________________ :bmage: *Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?* :fighter:

01-09-2009, 03:16 PM	#7
Eltargrim Fifty-Talents Haversham Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: FABULOUS Posts: 1,904	What's the currency? I ask this because the last time I did this I made a wonderful computer that ended up being too expensive because I priced it in USD when the budget was CAD. __________________ <Insert witticism here; get credit; ???; profit!>

01-09-2009, 03:28 PM	#8
dposse Dominus of Megadues Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: I come from the land of the ice and snow. Posts: 277	huh? i'm an American. and, yeah, okay...im not completely sure what my family's budget is. I think they're looking at about a $460 computer with 4GB RAM and 500GB hard drive, Intel duel-core processor. __________________ :bmage: *Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?* :fighter:

01-09-2009, 05:07 PM	#9
Eltargrim Fifty-Talents Haversham Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: FABULOUS Posts: 1,904	Get back to me with the precise budget. Can't really help you otherwise. Also: would you be comfortable assembling it? __________________ <Insert witticism here; get credit; ???; profit!>