Computer Systems

[tonemgub]

I would like to recommend a computer system to a friend for her son. He is only 8 and he will be primarily using it for school programs and perhaps the internet. Later he may want to play games but I am not sure what type i.e. Doom or Farcry type games. I have seen the following systems in my local computer shops and would like to ask again the experts which system they would go for. With your recommendations I will advise my friend. Many thanks, Chris.

1st:
# Miditower, 350 Watt
# CPU with 256kb Cache
# PCChips 851 Mainboard, AGP
# 512 MB DDR Memory
# 80 GB HDD,
# 2 MB Cache, 7200 upm 64MB Graphic OnBoard
# Toshiba DVD-ROM 16x/48x
# Network on Board
# Sound on Board
249 Euros
2nd:
AMD ATHLON Sempron 2600+ MAINBOARD ASROCK K7VT4a PRO, 256 MB RAM DDR PC 400 MARK, 80 GB HDD 7200 U/M, Radeon 9250 128 MB TVOUT + DVI, DVD ROM 16x / 48x SOUND 3D 32 BIT, NETWORK 10/100 MBit/s--DSL CAPABLE, CASE MIDI ATX 350 WATT, 4xUSB/2xUSB FRONT
219 EUROS
3rd:
MD ATHLON 3000 + 64 BIT VENICE SOCKET 939 ASUS A8V DELUXE Socket 939 512 MB DDRRAM PC 400 Mark Memory ATI 9250 RADEON 128 MB TVOUT, DVI 80 GB 2 MB CACHE 7200 U/MIN DVDBURNER 16x DUALLAYER SOUND 3D 32 BIT NETWORK 10/100 MBit/s--DSL CAPABLE CASE MIDI ATX DESIGN PT 4xUSB/2xUSB FRONT 400 W
379 EUROS
4th:
MIDI Tower Case 400W, AMD SEMPRON 2800+, MEMORY 512 MB Mark Brand, 80GB Hardrive, Graphic Radeon 9250 Radeon 128 MB, Socket 754 Motherboard (Doesnt state the brand).
299 Euros

Personally I am in the belief that the 3rd choice is the better one as it is 64 bit and is the way that computers are going although I am by no means the expert.

Chris

[redwudz]

I'd agree that #3 looks best, if the finances will bear it. The 2800 AMD would be a second choice, though the motherboard brand would be important.

The small difference in cost between the two makes #3 a lot better deal. The ASUS MB is a good feature. The 939 AMD 64 CPU is another good feature. That should be a stable system with enough power for gaming when he reaches that point.

Since you are planning to buy it from a store, see if you can squeeze them a little and see if they will throw in a few extras like programs or games, etc. to sweeten the deal. You never know unless you ask.