Choosing a Desktop PC

It was believed for some time that the desktop would be completely supplanted by the laptop as their performance were continually increasing. Yet the low prices and the excellent scalability of desktop computers still ensure a place on the market. Here are some tips to help you in choosing the right Desktop PC, based upon your needs.

Office and Web browsing

This is the basis. Your PC is therefore dedicated to word processing, the creation of documents and browsing the web primarily. You can also use it as a media center to listen to music and watch videos. These uses do not require performance and you can find machines that fulfill the criteria from 300 €.

Photos and Videos

If you want to do video editing or photo editing, choose a setting a bit more efficient to have fluidity satisfactory. Video or image editing software requires a good processor and good RAM and a sufficient storage space accordingly.

Video Games

Each new game brings its share of changes and if you want to keep up, do not hesitate to choose from the beginning a high-end configuration. CPU and graphics cards are particularly sought. That said, it is quite possible to play in not having the latest high-performance configuration. Just choose well your games and ignore the latest developments.


Key elements:

• Motherboard
• Processor
• RAM
• HDD
• Graphics Card
• Sound card
• Connectors
• Operating System
• Assemble your PC?

Motherboard

As its name suggests it is the central element of the machine. It is on the motherboard that all elements come to connect. In order to upgrade your PC, it is advisable to choose a card with free spaces in order to add more RAM or other components. For a desktop configuration, we find a motherboard with network card or integrated video chip.

Processor

The heart of the structure! The processor is the element which makes all calculations. The market is split between Intel and AMD. There are currently up to 8 processor cores. However, for the most common uses a double core. Of course the gamers and fans of video editing or 3D application appreciate the latest generation ultra powerful processors. The processor is a bit complicated to replace, better consider your choice……

RAM

It allows the processor to operate effectively. No need to have the latest processor and enough RAM. 2GO is essential for running Windows Vista while just 1 GB for XP. The more you plan to run sophisticated software you'll need more RAM. The advantage is that you can easily add more later if needed. In views of different price, it is strongly advised to purchase the brand of memory (Crucial, Corsair, Gskill, OCZ, Kingston, Transcend, Patriot, etc ...)

Hard Drive

It is the storage space on your computer. You assess the amount of data you store. However, given the relatively low prices, 300GB seems a minimum. The speed of rotation of the disk is, the more the disc rotates, the faster the computer has access to stored data quickly. Currently, the standard is 54,000 rpm, but a disc 7200 rpm can be interesting. Note that you can easily increase its storage capacity by adding a new disk or by connecting an external hard drive.

Graphic Cards

The graphics card is especially useful for games that require even more performance. For video and photo amateur a midrange card is appropriate for office use. Check the connections if you want to watch TV on your computer or to use your computer to play videos on a TV.

Sound cards

Most sound cards are oenough for everyday use. An external sound card will be required only for use in home studio (music composition) or a more powerful internal card if you wish to have a sound output in 5.1 (format home cinema).

Connectors

USB ports. We must verify that they are sufficiently spaced to accommodate multiple devices. The Ethernet ports are increasingly used, particularly for the acquisition and export of media thanks to their high speed. Attention to the video outputs if you plan to connect your computer to a HD screen. You'll need HDMI.

Operating System

Most computers are sold with Windows Vista. However, you can buy a computer without OS if you already have a licensed XP or another operating system. Some vendors still sell XP on their machines. The more experienced users may choose a Linux distribution which has the advantage of being free. Please note, however, it is worth knowing a little about it.

Assemble your PC?

The assembly of PC house attracted more and more people. This gives exactly the configuration you want at a lower cost. However, before embarking, it is better to have strong computer skills or get help. If you are unsure of yourself, there are many traders who intend to assemble a PC with the components you want for a competitive price.