Buying a computer is not very easy in today’s world as the world of computing is now growing at a very fast rate. You buy the latest piece of hardware today and it will be a crap to you after 6 months. So what will be your stance towards buying a new computer?
Pls Note: I am discussing here about the assembled desktop’s PC Configuration in Indian Market
We can discuss this right now.
1) Are you on a very tight budget
2) Want a decent PC
For category 1 people.
#CPU & Motherboard - You can go for an AMD Sempron 2600+ with a MSI/Asus/Gigabyte Motherboard. It will cost you around 3500-5000 bucks and will have all the basic components like AGP and Sound Card on the motherboard itself. Now a days even NForce2 motherboards with Geforce 4 onboard graphics are also available for dirt cheap prices.
#RAM - Go for atleast 256 MB DDR RAM in anycase. Don’t go for cheap SD-Ram or less than 256 MB RAM as now-a-days DDR RAM is also quite cheap. And go for one PC RAM, I mean go for 1 nos of 256 MB RAM instead of 2 nos of 128 MB RAM. 256 MB DDR RAM will cost you around 1050 bucks and 512 MB DDR RAM will be around 2000 bucks.
#Hard Disk - Go for at least a 160GB harddisk. Now a days it will cost you around 3800 bucks(great value for money). Dont buy a 20 GB or 40 GB as they are outdated and You will feel ripped off if you buy a 40 GB for 2500 bucks while you can get 160 GB for 3800. Buy a decent CD-ROM drive(LG or Samsung). They are now available for around 600 rupees in Nehru Place.
#Monitor - Now about the monitor. You can buy a 15’ CRT monitor of Samsung or LG( although I recommend a 17’(Samsung or LG) for even a tight budget system). 17’ monitors are available for around 5500 bucks(Non-Flat) and flat 17’ fr around 1000 more. Pls don’t buy a 15’.
#Keyboard & Mouse - You can buy a normal keyboard of Samsung or Logitech and a PS/2 based normal mouse(recommended an Optical Mouse). But I recommend the mouse of Logitech only as they are the genuine makers of mouse and will deliver a good performance(Mine is working for over 2 years non-stop). Go for TVS gold keyboard( They make keyboards that will lasts for about 5 years). You can get TVS Gold Keyboard for 1100 bucks and Logitech Optical for 450 bucks.
#Speakers - You can buy an Ad-Com Speakers with sub-woofers for around 500 bucks which will deliver you a great value for money. Even 4.1 speakers are available starting with 900 rupees. But I recommend Creative speakers which will cost you around 2000 for 2.1 and 2800 for 4.1 surround sound. Believe me you will thank me for this. A modem(recommended D-Link around 440 bucks) and NIC/LAN card(recommended D-Link around 350 bucks) card will cost you around 250 bucks each. Buy any company but make sure about warranty.
#Cabinet - Go with a well ventilated cabinet. I mean don’t pack it in a very small Cabinet but the cabinet should have enough space for free-flow of air. If you can, then opt for a cabinet with exhaust fan and more space.
For category 2 people.
#CPU & Motherboard - You should go for atleast an AMD Athlon64FX 2800+ with MSI K8N Neo3 series motherboard or with Intel P-IV 2.6GHz with HT technology with an Asus motherboard with 865PE chipset. This way you will have a decent value for your hard earned money. AMD Athlon 64FX+ MSI K8N Neo3 Motherboard will cost you around 18600. Pentium IV 2.6 GHz HT with Asus 875PE will cost you around 16000 bucks.
#RAM - Go for atleast 512 MB DDR RAM in anycase. Of course you can go for more but this is the least recommended. Don’t go for cheap SD-Ram or less than 256 MB RAM as now-a-days DDR RAM is also quite cheap. And go for one PC RAM, I mean go for 1 nos of 256 MB RAM instead of 2 nos of 128 MB RAM. 512 MB 400 FSB MHz RAM will cost you around 2100 rupees.
#AGP card - For those who want to play all the latest releases of games smoothly on there computer have to have an add-on AGP card. Go for atleast a GeForce5200 MX(with 128MB RAM)(4000 rupees) and you can go upto any limit till where your pocket won’t hurt.
#Hard Disk - I will suggest you to go for atleast an 160 GB HDD(3800 rupees)(Samsung or Seagate). I know you will think what will I do with that much space but believe me these days all the softwares and games are packed in atleast a CD or may be around 2 CDs for each game. And when you will think about other external things like your favourite MP3 collection or movies collection them you will definitely need more space. When you want to save a DVD movie to your PC you need around 5 GB for each movie. So calculate on your own what you need. The keyword here is We want More.
#CD-RW Drive - I don’t have to say it to you that go for at least 52X b’cas thay are standard now-a-days. You can go for either Samsung or LG. LiteON is also a very good CD-RW drive.
#DVD-RW Drive - Now a days you can skip CD Writer and DVD Drive and go for a DVD Writer and you have it all. You can burn 4.7 GB DVD Disc or and CD and even read DVD titles. A Pioneer DVD writer with 16x8x8x4x will cost you around 3400 rupees( yes dirt cheap).
#CD-ROM Drive - Pls buy a CD-Rom drive evenif you have bought a CD-RW/DVD writer Drive. It will be very helpful for you. I knowall the Cd’s can be read through CD-RW too but it will be a good option and I will definitely recommend an extra CD-ROM Drive.
#DVD Drive - Its just an upcoming standard and those who watch regular movies on DVD can go for a DVD drive. Samsung 16x DVD Drive is available for 1500 bucks.(Pioneer and Samsung Drives @16x are recommended)
#Monitor - I will directly recommend you to buy a 17’ monitor and nothing less. It can be either an LG or Samsung but it should be 17’ or above. For those who have got more money can buy a flatron or flat panel monitors. 5500 for 17’ Normal and 6500 for Flat 17’ Monitor. You can also opt for 19’ or 21’ obviously if you have the moolah.
#Speakers - Go for a creative inspire series. It rocks and suits your pocket as well. Don’t ever buy any thing other than Creative series. Nothing is compared as Creative speakers. Creative inspire 2500 2.1 is available for 2000 rupees while Creative inspire 4400 4.1 is for 2500 rupees(best buy).
#Cabinet - Go for a well ventilated double-fan cabinets. Pls select a cabinet based on its proper ventilation and not the looks. You will not look at your cabinet all the time but you will definitely get the benefits of a well ventilated cabinet. For those with big-money can go for an Asus-Barebone solution.
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#Scanner - While you really dont need a scanner as my friend who bought it out of excitement dont use it after first day. A HP 2400 scanner will cost you 3200 rupees.
#Printer - I have tried many printer but only suggest an HP printer. You can have an entry level printer for around 2800 rupees while a good Photo printer will cost you around 5000 rupees or above. Dont opt for the fax-copy-scanner all in one sets. They dont perform good.
#TV Tuner - Mine is Pinnacle PCTV plus and is working very good till now(2 yrs old). It is available for 2200 rupees. While a local(Mercury/Intex) can be bought at 1100-2000 bucks. If you want to record TV shows than go for Pixel View or Pinnacle. They r the best but if you only want to watch TV than you can also opt for Mercury or Intex. I will recommend Pinnacle PCTV.
#Web Camera - Go for a D-Link webcamera if u want to use it for regular net chatting. It will cost you around 1600 bucks. You can get local Web Cam for 500 rupees but I recommend D-Link one.
Please NOTE: The prices stated are from an X shop in the Nehru Place Market on June 2005. Prices