Minimum specs for a PC (advice needed)

[pervert]

Spend any extra on a 19" LCD, it's the gift that keeps giving.

Pffft, you still need a magnifying glass for a 19"...

27" widescreen is the only way to go...coming to work and sitting in front of this shitty 17" drives me insane...

[imdying]

Pffft, you still need a magnifying glass for a 19"...

27" widescreen is the only way to go...coming to work and sitting in front of this shitty 17" drives me insane...

Enjoy your shitty res and giant dots... the 19"s are bad enough.

[insane1]

i almost bought the top of the line gaming system a while back would have spent bout$5500 but that was top everything .

[boomer]

i almost bought the top of the line gaming system a while back would have spent bout$5500 but that was top everything .

About 3 years ago i did, from Paul and we did an article in the local news paper. My pc had the very first of everything in NZ.. top machine now worth fuck all

[insane1]

cant you upgrade parts or no room for expansion on motherboard.

[DemonWolf]

Depending on how much time you actually want to spend. You can go either of two ways.. buy a prepackaged computer, or build it yourself (Most of the websites even have the option to build the pc).

Myself, I've always built my PC.. but thats because I'm a geek and I'm into it.

Your first question if you are building a PC is. What is it going to be used for now and in a years time! (Future proof as much as you can to begin with). After setting yourself a $$ figure as the limit (You need to be firm on this) you can now hunt for the components you desire/need/want..

Your major concern is going to be the Motherboard (after you have decided which CPU brand you want). Intels Dual Core duo's (Anything else from other than the Core is a power hungry hog) or AMD. Once you have your head around what processing power your'll gonna need, you need main object is to get the best motherboard, dont be stingy on the motherboard, because this allows you to future proof your computer and make it last longer with upgrades throughout its life.

So now your've gone through picked the spec CPU you want.. done the hunt for the best motherboard you can afford (pick out 3-4 as you may need to pick and choose depending on your other component requirements), you can now pick your graphics (if the motherboard doesn't have onboard graphics that meet your requirements), then spec out (as many others have already mentioned with) at least 512MB (1GB would be nice) of RAM, Sound card (though most top end boards come with onboard 5.1 sound).. now you also need a case and PSU.. and OS etc etc

If building isn't your thing. Then this is the recommended specs I would go by.

CPU: 2.66 (Nothing under and Would look at Dual Core)
RAM: 512 (minimum - 1GB would be better)
Video: Mid-High range card
Motherboard: Something that you can use to upgrade your components (i.e. isn't fully spec'd out and can handle faster RAM, CPU, Graphics etc etc)
HDD: 120GB-160GB (minimum - HDD are becoming cheaper so as your budget can afford)
Monitor: 17" LCD (minimum)

[N4CR]

paul and scott are good boys but the gears not cheap

****in ay thats where i get all my stuff from.. and mos t of my mates stuff. go chat to them they will sort you out... not everything is asian tiny room selling hardware prices but they can bargain down.

[pervert]

Enjoy your shitty res and giant dots... the 19"s are bad enough.

Depends entirely on purpose, 1360 (or close to) x 768 is perfect, and the 'dots'...or pixels as I strangely like to call them are just fine.

I don't play games, I use the internet and watch a fuckload of DivX on it...it's perfect and no-one (even hardcore) geeks have disagreed. Samsung make good gear.

[imdying]

Depends entirely on purpose, 1360 (or close to) x 768 is perfect, and the 'dots'...or pixels as I strangely like to call them are just fine.

I don't play games, I use the internet and watch a fuckload of DivX on it...it's perfect and no-one (even hardcore) geeks have disagreed. Samsung make good gear.

Ewwwww, I was assuming it was at least 1920,1200

[pervert]

Ewwwww, I was assuming it was at least 1920,1200

Haha, the 'dots' can go that high...but I enjoy being able to see what on my desktop...and I prefer web pages to be centred, not taking up the left quarter of the screen...bloody amatuers...

[imdying]

Haha, the 'dots' can go that high...but I enjoy being able to see what on my desktop...and I prefer web pages to be centred, not taking up the left quarter of the screen...bloody amatuers...

Here's a tip... you increase the font size, and get this... you can drag the web browser windows around the screen... pretty flash eh

[pervert]

Here's a tip... you increase the font size, and get this... you can drag the web browser windows around the screen... pretty flash eh

You can drag full screen windows around the screen? Well I never...

Bloody amatuers...

[imdying]

You can drag full screen windows around the screen? Well I never...

Bloody amatuers...

You full screen a web browser on a 27" monitor... dude, seriously, come to Christchurch, go to CPIT, and do the Computing For Free course... they'll teach you some neat tricks...

[pervert]

You full screen a web browser on a 27" monitor... dude, seriously, come to Christchurch, go to CPIT, and do the Computing For Free course... they'll teach you some neat tricks...

This is about where most people would crank out certian qualifications they possess, blah, blah, blah.

Instead of taking that option, I'll merely give you green rep. You make me laugh, it might be at you, but you still make me laugh.

...bloody amatuers...

[imdying]

We're getting way off topic here... the man doesn't need the super wicky wicky monitor... but if he's a father, presumably getting onto 50 or over, spend the extra on the biggest monitor he can afford (Better on his aging eyes). Get a Dell, or a Compaq. They're established, they build reasonable PCs (Compaqs are better, but more $$$... although Compaq has physical service agents in major centres.), and there's someone to bitch at if it breaks. Seriously, it's all he'll need.