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sashime76 · 12-28-2004, 10:12 AM

Whenever I'm approached on the subject, my first quesiton is always the same: What do you plan on using the PC for?
A family friend spent over $2500 three years back on an almost top of the line PC just to send email to friends, worth it? NO! Should you get a name brand, again no. Sure, Dell has good customer service but almost all store built systems are backed up by a warranty anyway.
Personally I wouldn't go lower than these specs:
Intel or AMD (probably not AMD64 due to hardware compatibilities) 2.8GHz
120GB HD, I prefer Seagate
Motherboard - Asus, Shuttle, Soya all have good MB, get one that best matches your needs
512 DDR RAM - system
DVD ROM
DVD+-RW
Radeon 256MB - video
Soundcard/LAN/Modem - you can get by with whatever is built in on the MB unless she wants to use the PC as a mini theater then a nice soundcard and speakers should be in order. Soundblaster is always good, Turtle Beach makes mean soundcards, too.

Although I don't game as much as I used to, I do work a lot on multimedia stuff, turning digital photos, Hi-8 tapes into DVDs.

You can find a nice system if you know what you want and shop around. Dell PCs start at around $500. If you look closely, they only come up 40GB hard drive, SHARED video RAM, CD-RW/DVD (not DVD burner). I wouldn't even consider it a decent spec for a beginner's PC. Building a PC isn't all that difficult but you do need to know what you are doing. Besides, you are always the HERO when you come to her rescue should anything go south.

I guess you can also look at eMachines and other none big name brands. When you strip any systems down to components, they are likely all made in China. So why pay extra getting a Dell, Compaq/HP? Use that money for system upgrade or get that 19" LCD. If she likes music, a nice 5.1 sound card and good speakers.

12-28-2004, 10:12 AM	#4 (permalink)
sashime76 Addict Location: Hoosier State	Whenever I'm approached on the subject, my first quesiton is always the same: What do you plan on using the PC for? A family friend spent over $2500 three years back on an almost top of the line PC just to send email to friends, worth it? NO! Should you get a name brand, again no. Sure, Dell has good customer service but almost all store built systems are backed up by a warranty anyway. Personally I wouldn't go lower than these specs: Intel or AMD (probably not AMD64 due to hardware compatibilities) 2.8GHz 120GB HD, I prefer Seagate Motherboard - Asus, Shuttle, Soya all have good MB, get one that best matches your needs 512 DDR RAM - system DVD ROM DVD+-RW Radeon 256MB - video Soundcard/LAN/Modem - you can get by with whatever is built in on the MB unless she wants to use the PC as a mini theater then a nice soundcard and speakers should be in order. Soundblaster is always good, Turtle Beach makes mean soundcards, too. Although I don't game as much as I used to, I do work a lot on multimedia stuff, turning digital photos, Hi-8 tapes into DVDs. You can find a nice system if you know what you want and shop around. Dell PCs start at around $500. If you look closely, they only come up 40GB hard drive, SHARED video RAM, CD-RW/DVD (not DVD burner). I wouldn't even consider it a decent spec for a beginner's PC. Building a PC isn't all that difficult but you do need to know what you are doing. Besides, you are always the HERO when you come to her rescue should anything go south. I guess you can also look at eMachines and other none big name brands. When you strip any systems down to components, they are likely all made in China. So why pay extra getting a Dell, Compaq/HP? Use that money for system upgrade or get that 19" LCD. If she likes music, a nice 5.1 sound card and good speakers.