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Guide To Choosing A Custom Built Desktop Computer
Guide To Choosing A Custom Built Desktop Computer
You are probably familiar with the saying “different strokes for different folks”. Well, this phrase rings especially true when it comes to computers and their uses. While a computer may be perfect for one person, it may be useless to somebody else. This is because there are so many variations of what’s actually inside a computer. For this reason, many people are opting to have their computer systems custom built. If you are one of the many people contemplating a similar idea, you may be unsure as to where to start. In this article, we’ll present you with a guide to choosing a custom built desktop computer.
The number one appeal for people in choosing a custom built computer is price. It is often far cheaper to build a computer than it is to buy one new from a company. To get the most out of your custom built computer, you will first have to identify the key components that you absolutely need. This will help save you time and money. So, let’s take a look at the perfect custom built desktop computer for a variety of users.
In today’s world, many people use a desktop computer for only two reasons – word processing and internet surfing. If you fall into this category of user, you will have no problem choosing a custom built desktop computer. When deciding on a processor you basically have two choices; Intel and AMD. It is important to note that for simple web browsing and word processing, there is virtually no difference between the two processors. It is recommended that you go with an Intel Pentium 4 or an AMD Athlon. This is strictly a matter of preference, and you may want to do additional research to determine which is right for you. You will also want to determine the amount of memory you make available in your desktop computer. Again, for simple tasks such as these, anything more than 512MB will be more than sufficient. The rest of your system can be built with average secondary components, such as sound and graphic cards, and a CD/DVD drive.
If you happen to be a big-time gamer, you will need a computer with more RAM as well as better graphics capability. It is recommended that you upgrade to 1MB or 2MB of RAM. It will also enhance your game-play experience if you install a faster processor, perhaps even a dual core processor. These processors make it much easier to multitask while providing the ultimate gaming experience. Lastly, don’t forget to add a nice monitor and speaker system if you are building a computer geared towards gaming. This will also add to your overall enjoyment of your system.
The final type of user we would like to cover in this guide is the person who does a lot of work on the computer. This person will need a high-quality motherboard, which is always the most crucial element of any good computer. A motherboard helps your computer run at its optimum level, while ensuring all secondary components work properly. Somebody who stores a lot of data on their desktop computer will need to invest in a high-end motherboard. In addition, this type of user will also benefit from extra RAM, which will help in storing files.
This guide to choosing a custom built desktop computer should only serve as your first step in making a more informed buying decision. In addition to the aid of this guide, you should also perform thorough research and work with a trusted builder. It is important to remember that what you are putting into your custom built desktop computer will allow you to get the most out of it. Good luck!
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Choosing The Right Graphics Card – A Buyers Guide
Choosing The Right Graphics Card – A Buyers Guide
Graphics Cards – Finding the One That Fits Your Needs
If you are a serious gamer or graphics designer, you know how important having a good video or graphics card is. For those that don’t know, your video card or graphics card is what renders the images to your computer. If you are upgrading or building your own computer, considering what your graphics needs are going to be will definitely determine the type of card you get. Graphic cards come in a variety of ranges from the normal every day graphic cards used for rendering basic windows applications, movies and the internet to cards that can make the most out of the biggest and most graphic intensive games out there.
Often times, the software program you are considering will tell you the type of graphics cards which work best with it. You also want to consider having a graphics card that is going to be able to adjust and handle newer games and better graphics as they come along. Graphics cards can be rather expensive depending on what you are looking at. Especially for gaming computers, you don’t want to have to continually purchase new cards every time a new game you want to play comes out.
Some of the more intensive graphics cards also come with their own cooling systems. Usually, the cooling system consists of an onboard fan attached to the card used to keep the card processing at the appropriate temperature. Just like with any other computer part, a graphics card can overheat if it is attempting to process data quickly. Having a cooling system on board will make sure that your card stays in top performance. Many of the better graphics cards also come with their own on board memory so they don’t take away from the computers ram. There are some memory cards that can come with as much ram as some computers.
The chip is also an important consideration there are two main companies that produce the chips necessary for graphics cards that is NVIDIA and ATI.
Choosing the graphics card that is right for you can be a daunting task for someone that doesn’t know much about computers or graphics cards. The best places to look are review sites or check with your local computer stores and see what they recommend for the type of work you are going to be doing with your computers. If you are a serious gamer, remember to pay attention to your chip, the onboard memory and whether or not your graphics card has an onboard cooling system. Also remember to make sure that the graphics card you pick is compatible with your computer and operating system.
Now that you have the basics on choosing your next or first graphics card , you might want to check out some of these top manufacturers MSI, SPARKLE and POWERCOLOR.
Choosing Between A Notebook And A Desktop
Choosing Between A Notebook And A Desktop
There are several things that you need to look into before you buy a computer. First, you need to take a closer look into your lifestyle and working habits. If you happen to be one of those people who are always on the go and travels a lot, it would be a good idea for you to get a laptop instead of a desktop computer. Although Presario desktop computers are very reliable, you cannot really expect to carry them around wherever you go. On the other hand, a Presario notebook is more portable than and just as powerful as the desktop computers. Traveling with a notebook is a lot more convenient than carry a whole set of desktop computer. Just imagine how inconvenient it would be if you pack your desktop computer and carry it with to the airport!
The second consideration that you need to look into when buying a computer is the purpose for which you want the computer for. If you are going to handle huge files and very complex programs, forget about the laptop or the notebook. Laptops or notebooks may be as powerful as the desktop computers but it they are not expandable. Yes you can always connect flash drives into the USB ports of your laptop but these things may not really have enough space for the kind of data that you want to store. Using a desktop therefore is more advantageous if you want to store big programs and files into your computer. Note that desktops will allow you to upgrade its processor and graphics card anytime so you will not really much problems when it comes to storage space and others.
The third consideration that you must look into when buying computers is the monitor. If you want to edit film or pictures and go some graphic designs on your computer, it would be a good idea for you to buy a desktop. A desktop will allow you to change your monitor anytime. Note that huge computer monitors like those Compaq monitors will help a lot when you make graphic designs or edit films.
The fourth consideration and perhaps the most important of all is your budget. Laptops are more expensive compared to desktops. A good laptop could easily cost you as much as twice the price of a desktop of more or less the same specifications. Why are laptops more expensive? Laptops are designed to be portable so the manufacturers have to use special types of computer parts. Since these special parts cost a lot of money, you end up dearly for them. Convenience does have its price so if you want to enjoy the convenience of using your computer anywhere you go, you just have to pay for it or get a desktop. Besides, a desktop is really not that bad. If you do not travel a lot, a desktop is more useful to you than a laptop.
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