Minimum specs for a PC (advice needed)

**Squeak the Rat** · 25th January 2007, 15:03

Originally Posted by kro

http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/prod...=dhs&cs=nzdhs1

That's what I would go for, unless you know someone who can build you one from scratch. Dell aren't the gruntiest thing out there, but they are upgradeable, and you get an LCD monitor, and a good set of speakers etc.

Unless you can get PC parts at trade prices, you are very hard pressed to match a Dell price.

My only major gripe with Dells are the lack of graphics cards, but for another $145.00 you can slap a good 6600GT in there, and it will eat any strategy game, and a good number of action/shooters too.

Where'd you get a 6600GT for $145? Prices I'm seeing are 280 - 320...

**imdying** · 25th January 2007, 15:13

http://www.pricespy.co.nz/pno_4722.html

**Squeak the Rat** · 25th January 2007, 15:45

Sweet, what's the diff between all the makes? I thought a 6600 was Nvidia, so how does austek, gigabyte etc fit in, and are there any best avoided?

**imdying** · 25th January 2007, 15:50

Long story short, don't worry about it. Memory speed, bus bandwidth, blah blah blah, it's not worth worrying about, and not something you can do much about on a limited buget. Rest assured the 6600GT is a proven tool, and even a crap one kicks the onboard graphics the average white box comes with all over the park.

**kro** · 25th January 2007, 16:45

Listen to imdying, he speaks the truth.

I realise computery stuff isn't everyones cup of tea, and there are often lots of questions, so if you need to ask further questions, I am more than happy to converse with you on MSN. My email is D41E@hotmail.com

I would hope I could render enough advice to make the process as painless as possible. It appears there are lots of other knowledgeable chaps/chap-ettes on here, lots of them with tonnes more experience than me, I don't think you can go wrong with any advice in this thread.

**Lias** · 26th January 2007, 08:28

I'll second that.

Also available to talk geeky stuff, but PM me for my MSN :-)

**Moxy** · 26th January 2007, 14:54

Originally Posted by Squeak the Rat

Sweet, what's the diff between all the makes? I thought a 6600 was Nvidia, so how does austek, gigabyte etc fit in, and are there any best avoided?

It depends on the make - at worse the video card will be a replica of the nvidia reference design; at best, a more expensive brand will have a fancy cooling fan, and will be clocked a bit higher.

But in short, there's not that much difference between them, especially since the 6600 is more than a few years old - more than enough time for manufacturers to iron out any problems.

Gigabyte, and Sparkle are great brands.

**scracha** · 26th January 2007, 15:30

Originally Posted by kro

http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/prod...=dhs&cs=nzdhs1
Unless you can get PC parts at trade prices, you are very

My only major gripe with Dells are the lack of graphics cards, but for another $145.00 you can slap a good 6600GT in there, and it will eat any strategy game, and a good number of action/shooters too.

Well I get parts at trade prices and basically there's no way I can match Dell for prices with the next day on-site support (I don't even try to). They're that good!

The reason why Dell gets a bad rep is because many shops selling PC's (Like Dork Smith or the way overpriced Noel Lemming) can't match their prices or support. Of course flogging their older models in The Warehouse wasn't the best marketing move for Dell either.

If you desire an LCD screen then go for a new system. I wouldn't get less than a 19" LCD screen tho'. If you're running vista you'll want at least 1GB, a Core Duo processor and a decent video card. DVD burner is useful too! If you can't be without your PC then hardware RAID1 combined with your normal backup can save a LOT of arsing around if one of the drives fail (less than 1% chance per annum).

If you're just after "basic business apps" then running XP with 512MB is fine (you can always upgrade later). As for hard drive, well if you're just running the average business applications on Win XP then an old 20GB/40GB will do you. It's only when you want games, lots of music stored (roughly 200 songs per GB) or video (lots and lots of storage needed) that you need the more modern drives. Lots of customer's PC's I visit have 250GB drives with about 12GB used! Bang per buck I'd say the 320GB ones offer good value for money (Seagate's have 5 year warranty and spend the little extra for one with 16MB cache).

If you can put up with CRT monitor then you can get an ex-lease PC with 3 months warranty, 512MB ram, Pentium 2.4 (I wouldn't advise a celeron), XP-home with COA, 40GB HDD, 17" CRT monitor for about 400 bucks these days.

The new systems with a reasonable spec should set you back around the 1400 mark.

**Toaster** · 26th January 2007, 15:47

Come on... ya dont need much on a PC to surf for porn....

**scracha** · 26th January 2007, 15:55

Originally Posted by Toaster

Come on... ya dont need much on a PC to surf for porn....

Thus the REAL reason for the interest in wireless laptops & 3g video mobile phones. I hate to say it but I carry handwipes in the car for use after fixing customer PC's.

**avgas** · 26th January 2007, 16:03

Originally Posted by pervert

A cheap Celeron CPU will do fine.

512MB of RAM will also suffice although hardcore geeks will disagree.

Then get a cheap graphics card and an 80 or 160 gig HDD and it will be sweet.

I'm sure plenty of people will disagree and say he needs more, but I've built plenty of similar spec'd systems for people with similar needs and they are more than happy. Especially when the price is around $500 if you get good deals on parts.

Cheaper than that boss, sold one about 6 months ago
Cel 1700mhz, 512mb, 40gb hd, cd/cdrw/dvd, 256mb gfx card, slimline netvista system. 17in CRT, KB and mouse Got rid of it for about $300.
So there would be cheaper out there

**Squeak the Rat** · 31st January 2007, 21:11

Originally Posted by kro

http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/prod...=dhs&cs=nzdhs1

That's what I would go for, unless you know someone who can build you one from scratch. Dell aren't the gruntiest thing out there, but they are upgradeable, and you get an LCD monitor, and a good set of speakers etc.

My only major gripe with Dells are the lack of graphics cards, but for another $145.00 you can slap a good 6600GT in there, and it will eat any strategy game, and a good number of action/shooters too.

Don't recommend that piece of shit in the same post as a suggestion to slap in a graphics card. There are only about 2 graphics cards on the market that'll fit the pokey little fucking box it comes in.

Just as well dell have a return policy. Pity the old man aint getting a birthday present this side of april.

Fucking PC shit.

**pervert** · 31st January 2007, 21:39

Originally Posted by Squeak the Rat

Don't recommend that piece of shit in the same post as a suggestion to slap in a graphics card. There are only about 2 graphics cards on the market that'll fit the pokey little fucking box it comes in.

Just as well dell have a return policy. Pity the old man aint getting a birthday present this side of april.

Fucking PC shit.

Haha, you bought a Dell an expected a quality computer?

Dell are excellent at using non-standard parts...