Getting a new computer soon, and was wondering what are good specifications for it.. probably like minimum requirements for things nowadays or higher. What I was looking at was: Intel Quad Core 2.3 GHz 4 GB RAM 512 GB Hard disk Is that decent?
i think thats a bit more than decent?! xD yea thats going to be quite a powerful system, quite above average if you ask me haha more closer to the top end id say!
Right now Quad core isn't being used to the fullest extent. Not many programs are utilizing quad core technology. IMO just save yourself some money but get a duo core but at a higher speed probably 2.8 ghz or so.
The cpu is on the low side IMO. And most important, do you REALLY need a quad core. I mean, do you intend running 4 virtual machine while playing crysis ultra high quality while listening to mp3 ? A dual core will do the job. Intel E8400 clocked at 3 ghz is just for you. And as part of a good PC, you need a good video card. Even if you have a f*cking powerfull PC, without that last piece, you won't get far. You better go a bit less with the cpu speed and ram for a better GPU. edit: someone beat me for the quad core thing. :arf:
So I'd be better off getting an Intel Core 2 Duo processor.. but with like 3.0 GHz or something? I'm not good with hardware :/ Is GHz like RAM - like you can increase it by adding more .. or is it what it comes with is what you get?
For the cpu, you're stuck with what you have. You can always change the cpu later if you want. Or you can overclock it. But the best choice is to leave it alone. Just choose a decent cpu at first and you'll be fine for a couple years. Like I said, Intel E8400, it's a dual core 3ghz CPU. I'm running this one and no problem so far. Don't forget about the video card too...
What's a good size video card? I think it comes with 64 or 128 MB.. should I get larger than that? or is that where it's at?
128 is outdated for desktop PC. For laptop, it all depends on how much RAM you have. If you're going for a desktop, the "norm" is 512 MB. I do like ATI product and I bought an ATI HD4850. It's probably the best quality/price/performance combo right now on the market. If you have a little bit more $$, go for the HD4870. NVidia can't match that. If you're buying a laptop, you won't have the choice. You get what the laptop offer
Sorry, I should have specified: It's a desktop PC. For uni I use a VAIO and I think that's fantastic - 8' I think it is. As for the computer, is there a difference between a video card and a graphics card? Because I remember I had to put in a 64MB graphics card not too long ago because of minimum requirements or something. But the new computer comes with a 1GB video card - which sounds nice :*
Video card = graphic card = GPU The fact that a video card have 1GB doesn't really say anything. Example: I remember from the old 9600 series from ATI, they had: -9600 -9600 Pro -9600 XT The base of the card was exactly the same. They did some tweaks to the "XT" model to be almost 50% faster the the 9600 (base) model. The same apply now. Allocating 1GB for graphic processing on a laptop WILL NEVER give the same result as a standart (as low as 256MB) desktop PC video card. If you have to choose between a cheap/no name card with 1GB and a good one with only 512MB, choose the second one. FYI: laptop video card are not meant to play game or only low end one. That's why even having a 2GB video card is pretty much useless. It will be nice for vista using the AERO theme but as soon as you'll start asking for 3D rendering, you'll want to cry. :lol: If you need any more information, lemme know... I like talking about those kind of things !
Errrrr Here's the problem with that.. For ME at least (I'm in the market for a new desktop) Best buy, future shop and Staples all make pretty little computer bundles with the bottom of the line processors. Meaning, C2Ds running under 2.4 GHz. The next step up from that is, say, the Core 2 Quad Q6600 or the newer C2Q Q8200. If you want the E8400, you have to buy from a place like Newegg or NCIX, who charge you more than you should be paying, because it's a custom build. Of course, it's a better build, so better quality, since you configure it yourself. However, if you're going for sheer numbers alone, buying a computer running an entry level Quad is better than configuring your own with a high end Core 2 Duo. Unfortunately, dell's just as bad. They don't even let you pick what processor you want half of the time. You get to pick between like 3 of them. Fun.
lol ok well considering it looks as if money isnt a problem for you (well maybe it is but) since you are already looking at a quad core processor you might as well go for the highest end graphics card and you should be set for a really really long time hahaha xD unless some super new technology comes by xD
I agree... but at the same time, I prefer to pay a little bit more to get what I want and know that I'll still be able to run everygame on the market in 4 years from now. Problem with PC like bb/fs is that they offer "normal" hardware... I'm not saying it's not good, for the price, you can't match that, but still, you're stuck with a low end pc, and those damn PC rarely have more than 1 PCI expansion slot (let alone a PCI-X one).
Okay, thanks for the help guys! Am I able to add RAM to the computer later on? Like just plug in sticks of RAM into the motherboard or something?
It depends on how much slot you have left... some board only comes with 2 slots so if you use 2 X 2 GB, well, you can't add more (but still can remove them and put in 2 X 4 GB). But usually, there's 4 slots for this.
I would prefer a higher clocked dual core ( 2x 3GHz ) and use the saved money for a better GPU. Quad Cores aren't exhausted yet...
Ok, here are the specs of my new computer: Intel Quad Core processor 4GB RAM 2.6 GHz 320GB HDD 512MB Graphic/Video card and I think it comes with a blu-ray burner as well. So I may add some RAM to that later, but whatever I get will be faster than the outdated crap I'm using now LOL I'd like opinions on whether to get Vista or XP, though :/ I've heard Vista has some compatibility issues - anyone have it and have problems/opinions they'd like to share?