Buying a Computer

Well, the best and most appropriate config would obviouly depend on the end user’s needs.But Let me try to catrogrize some possible scenarios:

S/W: Being a law abiding citizen, I suggest u buy the original versions of Win XP, MS Off and whatever else u need.But I don’t practise what I preach:-)

Disclaimer: Posted on 23rd Sep’04, this advice would be valid only for a few months I suppose.prices mentioned approx

1) Low End el-cheapo m/c that gets the job done

good for Students, Budget minded folks

• AMD Sempron 2200+ Gigabyte/Asus Via Chipset Motherboard- 5500/-

  
  




• 256 MB DDR RAM: 1800/-

  
  




• 40/80 GB 7200 RPM Seagate Barracude HDD: 2500/- 2900/-

  
  




• CD Drive: 650/- or CD r/w for 1500/-

  
  




• 15’ Samsung/LG monitor: 4100/-

  
  




• AT/ATX cabinet: 400/-/850/-

  
  

No floppy drive needed now though u can dd it for another 200-225/-

The Mobo comes with integrated sound and Video.the reason I am suggesting the AMD Sempron and not the celeron is becoz the graphics subsystem on this is much better than the Intel Graphics subsystem so u can run even games like UT 2004 /Doom 3 on this at a fairly good performance

2) Ultra Lo-end m/c

• FInd a Intel P-III 550/450+ Intel 810 Mobo for throw away prices(2000-3000)(make sure that the MoBo Supports Large HDDs, some late 90’s Ambios BIOS Mobos don’t support HDDs >32 GB)

  
  




• 256 SD RAM: 1100/-

  
  

-HDD+ CDD+ Monitor+ Cabinet same as above

So u can have a decent PC for <10K that’ll be good enuff for browsing, chatting, running Office Apps(Work, powerpnt, excel etc) but don’t expect it to be a gaming rig;-)

3) High end

Processor: Intel 3.2 Gig Northwood:-)

MoBo: Intel 845/865 whatever

Screen/Monitor: Get a friggin 25’ LCD monitor if u r willing to spend:-)

HDD: Seagate Cheetah SCSI 120/180 GB

Get a SCSI card too:-)

Graphics Card: Gainward Geforce IV ULTRA(256MB)

Ram: 1 Gig 333Mhz DDR

et other top of the line peripherals too.But then what’ll you do with this m/c.will u have any dough left to even buy you food after this?

hehehe.just kiddin.try to check out sites like https://sharkyextreme.com for the latest updates on hi-end PC configs.

But for most of us ou t there, Config 1 fits the bill.Just Substitute the Processor-Mobo config with a AMD 64 Bit 3200+ if u want a hi-performance m/c.Kick up the RAM to 512 Meg of 333 Mhz DDR, add a good graphics card to take off the Graphics sub-system load for the processor and to get much better gaming performance too, and get a Creative Live Value Sound card too(good value for money card this 1 is)

As for AMD Vs. Intel, My personal take is that with AMD, you get a lot more bang for you buck.As for the AMD processor overheating rumor, it’s all bulls**t

AMD 64 Bit kicks a*s.