Requirement and budget are the parameters that decide what type of computer to buy. I personally prefer assembled computer because I can customize it to the last detail. Generally you’ll get 11-12 month warranty on all parts. If you’re planning to buy a branded pc, I cannot offer any advice. But if you’re going for an assembled one, I?ll try to explain the little things that I know within my knowledge. Don?t buy used systems unless you cannot afford a new one because, things become obsolete very quickly and you may not find a part to replace if there is any malfunction and end up dumping the entire thing.
*Requirement:
*Decide whether you need the system for general use like internet, music & videos, text editing, simple games, simple programming languages or software applications, data storage etc, which do not require high-end systems and thus cost less.
Sky is the limit to build a high-end system, so budget decides the things here. For playing graphic-intensive 3D games, running powerful software applications(like Photoshop, Maya etc), video editing etc you need as powerful a system as your money can buy. Unlike entry level computers, it is difficult to fathom a high-end model.
Basic:
Processors like INTEL Celeron, AMD Sempron, VIA C3, etc along with respective compatible mother-boards are the major differentiating parts.
Other things like monitor, keyboard & mouse, floppy drive, hard disk, modem etc. are generally common irrespective of what kind of processor or mother-board is used.
For around Rs.15, 000 or below, you should get the following hardware.
15’ monitor, cabinet with power supply, one of the above said processor and compatible mother-board, 128MB RAM, 40GB HDD(hard-disk drive), optical drive(CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM etc), FDD(floppy disk drive), keyboard & mouse, speakers.
Simple extras: modem(for internet), head-phones with microphone(for voice chat), keyboard with multi-media keys, Optical mouse etc.
*If budget can be stretched:
*UPS(to avoid sudden loss of power to the computer)
CD-RW drive(CD writer)
(Or instead of a combo drive i.e. CD writer & DVD-ROM in a single optical drive, buy separate CD-RW and DVD-ROM drives. Price works out to roughly the same with the advantage of easy CD duplicating.)
2.1 speakers(i.e. two speakers and one woofer)
17? monitor(100% flat is better)
Printer, scanner
Extra 128MB RAM etc
*Upgrading:
*If you plan to upgrade your PC later, since you cannot afford all the goodies now, take note of the following while buying.
AGP slot(for installing graphics card)
On-board six channel audio(for surround sound)
On-board LAN(for networking purpose)
PCI slots(expansion slots for installing various things like modem, TV tuner, other audio or video capture cards, USB expansion card etc)
Buy full-ATX motherboard since it has more PCI slots(usually 5 or more) than baby-ATX board which usually has 3 expansion slots.(ATX is one of the motherboard standards).
Adding extra RAM is the simplest way to improve the efficiency of the system to a noticeable extent.
*Things to splash money on:
*As much as you can spend on AGP graphics
Audio card with Dolby decoding
5.1 speakers(bass quality is not good in economy models)
DVD-RW drive(there are two standards in this. Check before buying)
High speed hard disks(SCSI or SATA)
19? flat monitor(LCD is not preferred by gamers. Also they almost cost as much as the whole low-end system!)
Wireless keyboard & mouse
The list is endless?
Epilogue:
Extra RAM is simple upgradation.
Software is costlier than hardware unless you are using pirated stuff.
Intel and AMD are the dominant players in India.
INTEL Pentium 4, AMD Athlon, etc. are used in higher configuration personal systems. Other things may be common as said above.
There are umpteen combinations to assemble a computer. Performance components are expensive. It is possible to build a computer within the budget. Always check prices at least at three places.
Importantly, read as much literature as you can, in magazines or internet, on the components you plan to use in your computer. It helps you a lot. Trust me!