- Apr 29, 2001
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SCENARIO: Okay you got this set amount of money to spend. Which allows you to splurge on a few things. Ask yourself, should I put my extra money into getting a quality monitor and more memory? Or should I treat myself to something else? Keep in mind everything you have chosen so far is of quality, what-you-can-live-with, bare necessity components. Now you must choose on what part of your new setup to spend a little extra money on Hope this makes sense so far.
Here, IMHO, is how I think you should set your priority in spending when building a new computer. Now if you're rich, you won't be needing to skimp ?so why are YOU even reading this?
[Disclaimer:] (To guard against flamers)
And by IMHO, I'm speaking as the average computer user. -The typical: gamer/ internet surfer/ digital media manipulator/ workstation procrastinator. But of course, we'll get your difference in opinion from your power-users, followed by your-know-it-alls (like me), and your benchmark-extremists. Again this is just my humble opinion. But feel free to post your reasons why you think ______ part should be given more priority.
[/Disclaimer:]
MONITOR: I whole-heartedly believe your monitor is your most important investment when looking to build a computer. I think it?s very important to put your money into buying a nice monitor. A good 19inch CRT or 17inch LCD if you can afford it. That?s the only part of the computer you will have to live with day-in-day-out. Your eyes will be happier if you put aside more money into this part of your budget.
RAM: Of course RAM is very important. Try to go 512mb if you can.
HARD DRIVE: This part of the computer will get used up quickly if you're on broadband. Try to get one with enough headroom to last. If you?re not on broadband, you can probably give this less priority.
MOTHERBOARD: Of course you want a motherboard with the features you want from a reputable brand to insure dependability. It's kind of like finding a mate. Find one that feels right and make you the most happy
PROCESSOR: I give the processor less priority. Why? You can get away without running the latest & greatest. No one is going to notice if your Content Creation Performance is not the fastest. And with the ever turbulent changing CPU prices you?re better off with NOT getting the latest & greatest. This part of the computer will be depreciating in price the fastest. Of course there are your "computing power" implications. You need "this much power" so your computer will "last you longer." What does that mean exactly? "Spend $100 more and get the faster processor so it can last (what?) a month longer in the whole 3year/12mon/6mon you own your computer before upgrading?
VIDEO CARD IMO, this is the part of the computer you shouldn't be putting that *much* money into. I don't see how people like spending $250+ for a 18000 3DMark capable video card!! As long as your card can play at a reasonable fps with a resolution you like, then stick with that! I don't see the reasoning behind playing a game at 150fps. The human eye can't even tell the difference at that point.
OPTICAL DRIVES: Optical drives are a safe bet, hence them being in the bottom of the "priority list." Top quality drives vs the el cheapos are only separated by a matter of dollars. Go with what you need & a brand you trust.
And of course there are your OTHER peripherals; mice, keyboards, network cards, printers, speakers -but I won't get into that. Too many variables.
Also, some people put priority into buying a brand-name power supply. But I've never ran into any problems with them, so I haven't given them much thought. But you can post your opinion about them though, and rank them accordingly, in order of importance.
Yep, that's all the advice I have. Post your own opinions/ disagreements/ problems. And also tell me if you agree with me to some extent
Here, IMHO, is how I think you should set your priority in spending when building a new computer. Now if you're rich, you won't be needing to skimp ?so why are YOU even reading this?
[Disclaimer:] (To guard against flamers)
And by IMHO, I'm speaking as the average computer user. -The typical: gamer/ internet surfer/ digital media manipulator/ workstation procrastinator. But of course, we'll get your difference in opinion from your power-users, followed by your-know-it-alls (like me), and your benchmark-extremists. Again this is just my humble opinion. But feel free to post your reasons why you think ______ part should be given more priority.
[/Disclaimer:]
MONITOR: I whole-heartedly believe your monitor is your most important investment when looking to build a computer. I think it?s very important to put your money into buying a nice monitor. A good 19inch CRT or 17inch LCD if you can afford it. That?s the only part of the computer you will have to live with day-in-day-out. Your eyes will be happier if you put aside more money into this part of your budget.
RAM: Of course RAM is very important. Try to go 512mb if you can.
HARD DRIVE: This part of the computer will get used up quickly if you're on broadband. Try to get one with enough headroom to last. If you?re not on broadband, you can probably give this less priority.
MOTHERBOARD: Of course you want a motherboard with the features you want from a reputable brand to insure dependability. It's kind of like finding a mate. Find one that feels right and make you the most happy
PROCESSOR: I give the processor less priority. Why? You can get away without running the latest & greatest. No one is going to notice if your Content Creation Performance is not the fastest. And with the ever turbulent changing CPU prices you?re better off with NOT getting the latest & greatest. This part of the computer will be depreciating in price the fastest. Of course there are your "computing power" implications. You need "this much power" so your computer will "last you longer." What does that mean exactly? "Spend $100 more and get the faster processor so it can last (what?) a month longer in the whole 3year/12mon/6mon you own your computer before upgrading?
VIDEO CARD IMO, this is the part of the computer you shouldn't be putting that *much* money into. I don't see how people like spending $250+ for a 18000 3DMark capable video card!! As long as your card can play at a reasonable fps with a resolution you like, then stick with that! I don't see the reasoning behind playing a game at 150fps. The human eye can't even tell the difference at that point.
OPTICAL DRIVES: Optical drives are a safe bet, hence them being in the bottom of the "priority list." Top quality drives vs the el cheapos are only separated by a matter of dollars. Go with what you need & a brand you trust.
And of course there are your OTHER peripherals; mice, keyboards, network cards, printers, speakers -but I won't get into that. Too many variables.
Also, some people put priority into buying a brand-name power supply. But I've never ran into any problems with them, so I haven't given them much thought. But you can post your opinion about them though, and rank them accordingly, in order of importance.
Yep, that's all the advice I have. Post your own opinions/ disagreements/ problems. And also tell me if you agree with me to some extent