can anyone suggest the ideal desktop pc configuration for a common man?

[sumeshkri]

can anybody suggest the most ideal configurationn for a desktop pc for a common like me. io want to hear and edit music files, video files and to play simple games besides doing the normal computing works. i al;so want to have a tv capture card.kiindly give the brand names plz.it is said that when you wnat ot use a particular processor it needs a particular motherboard for it. all motherboard will not go with all processors is it so?thanks in advnace.

[redwudz]

The Intel CPUs are popular at present. A dual core or a quad core. Most are 775 pin CPUs. Usually you select the fastest CPU you can afford if you intend to do gaming or encoding. Most all now use DDR2 or faster RAM memory. XP needs about 1GB RAM, Vista 2GB. You can use more up to about 4GB with a 32bit operating system, XP, Vista or others.

I usually select the CPU first, then the motherboard, then RAM. When you choose a MB, you get one to match the CPU. The RAM is chosen to match the motherboard.

There are so many capture boards out there that it's difficult to be specific unless you have a better idea what you intend to capture and what you want to do with it afterwards. Most times I recommend looking into the Hauppauge capture cards as they use hardware to capture directly to MPEG format. If your final output is a DVD, this saves some time as you don't have to re-encode.

Others can probably give you more specific suggestions.

[wtsinnc]

How much can you afford to spend ?


Do you also need a monitor (if you prefer a desktop), a printer, other peripherals, cables, and/or specialized software. These must be budgeted in before you know what you can afford to spend on the computer.

Will you build it yourself, or do you want to buy preassembled ?

Keep in mind that a preassembled computer from a reputable OEM will have a full system warranty included; one you build yourself will have warranties an each component but not on the finished product as a whole.


Concentrate on what you actually need. Do you really need Blu-Ray capability? Do you really need a TV card or video capture card ?

Good luck in your search !

[yoda313]

A dual core or a quad core

Actually I saw the darndest thing the other day at Bestbuy - A TRIPLE CORE processor. I guess they are trying to create a new submarket for those who feel that a quadcore is still too pricey right now.

I can't remember if they were AMD only or not.

But to answer the question - couple rules of thumb for pc shopping:

max out your ram for whatever package you get (4gbs max on a 32bit OS and virtually limitless on a 64bit OS - though 64bit OS are a little more difficult to get drivers for).

Also - What are your main computing activies? If you are just surfing the net basically anything will do.

If your a gamer you will need to look more toward middle of the road and higher - a pci-e slot is a must as agp is dying if not dead already. Also consider sli slot ability - that is two graphic cards in the same system (a matched pair that is).

Bluray/hd will require at least a dual core pc and a hdcp compatible graphics card and monitor. Please not over-the-air hdtv won't require the hdcp aspect - at least not at the moment as no flags are on for free network hdtv (ie abc, fox, cbs, etc).

Then you go from there. ALso remember unless you need new functionality or your previous components bit the dust you can reuse your monitor and printer and stuff and not need new ones (though since you'll probably be buying a vista pc check first that there are vista drivers for it, some don't so you may have to buy a new component that doesn't have vista drivers).

[RabidDog]

Yep triple cores are AMD..AFAIK... They are getting completely shiity yields on their Quads and therefore rather than junk them, they are disabling "the bad core" and selling em cheap.

[yoda313]

@rabid dog - you're kidding right?

You mean the triple cores are throttled back quads? Wow thats amazing.

[rallynavvie]

Yep triple cores are AMD..AFAIK... They are getting completely shiity yields on their Quads and therefore rather than junk them, they are disabling "the bad core" and selling em cheap.

Even as an Intel user I find that highly disturbing. I want AMD to succeed to provide Intel competition to drive down their prices and push their R&D so having a failure at the manufacturing level does not bode well

[redwudz]

It's fairly common to down grade a CPU when it doesn't meet the specs. Intel does it also. That's where many of the lower speed Intel CPUs come from. I understand the XBox 360 uses a three core CPU, so Intel does apparently have them.

AMD had two choices with Phenoms that had one slow core, down grade to the lower speed or disable one core and still have a fair amount of speed. As a bonus, there is more cache for the remaining three cores. If a six or more core CPU comes on the market, you may see more of this. With AMDs architecture, blocking one core is fairly easy. They do it before the die is mounted in the carrier.

The triple cores are used to compete with Intels dual core CPUs. I think of them as a step up from a dual core, not a step down from a quad core. The average user would probably consider them a bargain, but most users on this forum may want a bit more power.

Intel does have the edge on CPU performance at present, but I'd hate to see AMD fail and leave Intel with no real competition.

[sumeshkri]

thanks everybody for their valable suggestion. i would like to capture from my tv to the HDD. i just wanted to know the detailed components brand name for a new CPU. of course i wanted to get it assembled by a technician.

[budz]

thanks everybody for their valable suggestion. i would like to capture from my tv to the HDD. i just wanted to know the detailed components brand name for a new CPU. of course i wanted to get it assembled by a technician.

Get yourself one of the following CPU's: Intel Kentsfield Q6600 that's going for about $190.00 or Intel Yorkfield Q9450 for $320.00 or the Q9550 for $325.00 if you got the money to burn. Just my 2 cents!

[sumeshkri]

thanks

[SingSing]

The only reason to pick a desktop PC vs a laptop PC is desktop uses an external larger monitor. So maybe that's a good place to start.

[Nelson37]

Holy crap do I disagree with the laptop statement.

With the exception of Hard drive and memory, a laptop is basically a sealed unit with most important components completely non-upgradeagle. Also, it is built with lightness and low power usage as the primary factors, these are in direct opposition to longetivity, durability, and performance. Most components are unique to the brand or even model and are far more expensive than their desktop counterparts. If you need to travel with the PC, it is the only way to go, but if you just need it in two places, get two desktops.

As for the AMD triple core, this is not at all unusual and has been going on for a long time. Many chips of a certain speed are simply those that failed the test for the higher speed. Many Celeron chips were actually full pentiums With one lead physically clipped off.

As for what PC to buy, put the money into things that cannot be easily upgraded later. A mobo with four RAM slots, a fast CPU, a large monitor. HD space can be easily added with a second hard drive. Ram can be easily added. Better sound or video card, SLI or Crossfire if the board supports it, these also can be added down the road as and when you need them, for less money.

Buying a brand-new box with two cards in SLI is a rediculous waste of money, IMO. Get one fast card, and go SLI down the road for far less money.

The best bang-for-the buck is usually about three steps down from the top-of-the-line.

I think the best line on this is "The PC you REALLY WANT has ALWAYS cost $5000.00." The real-world add-on is that "one year later you can buy the same box for $2000.00"

[dcsos]

Mac Pro and Parallels

[ahhaa]

sumeshkri- hi!
is India about to go to digital television, or where are you guys on that? 8)

If you are going to have it built, then you should get the best ( sexiest ) case you can find , & be sure to check out the user software that comes with the TV card, some of it is terrible.

Plan on upgrading in a year or two.

For myself, a DVR does a better job cheaper , easier than a computer, without tying up the computer with simple recording...

[redwudz]

I believe India uses satellite for most HDTV broadcasting.

[sumeshkri]

thanks. have a nice day.