Computers Buying Guide

Buying the right PC

There is no single desktop computer that can cater for every situation. In fact, one of the most compelling reasons for buying a PC in the first place is because it can do so many different things and be customised for any purpose - from handling the family budget and playing a movie, to running high-end computer-assisted drawing packages and performing complex statistical analyses. But herein lies the problem: if computers are so versatile, how do you decide which one is right for you?

CPU – heart and soul

Let's start at the heart of the PC - the central processing unit (CPU). The CPU handles the bulk of the 'work' conducted by your computer, so it would seem logical that the faster the CPU, the faster your computer will go. For decades, this assumption was correct, as a CPU upgrade could double or triple the speed of your PC, but these days, things aren't so simple.
Desktop CPUs aren't designed like they were in the past. For starters, most CPUs today consist of multiple 'cores' which, in a nutshell, this is like having separate engines linked together to perform a single machine. The two largest chipmakers - AMD and Intel - provide a range of multicore CPUs, although Intel has the widest range and, arguably, better performance and efficiency across the board.

RAM – short-term memory

The next key component is RAM, and like the CPU, it has a large role to play in determining the performance of your PC. Put simply, when your computer needs to access small amounts of information very quickly, it will store the information in your RAM, so it doesn't need to fetch it from your relatively slower hard disk or DVD drive.

Modern computers often require between 512MB and 4GB of RAM, and if you're running Vista, you'll be better off with a PC running at least 1GB. Around 2GB is the minimum for gamers, but that's often a waste for a typical home PC or office workstation. Also, remember that RAM can be easily upgraded later, but unless you are running a 64-bit operating system, the maximum your desktop can use is 4GB.

HDD – long-term memory

There's only one thing you really need to know when it comes to your hard disk: the total amount of storage. Consider how much media - films, photos, music, and other files - you want stored on your desktop, and then buy a PC with enough storage to match. Films require a lot of space, so if you're planning on using the PC as a media centre, then don't settle for less than 500GB. If you're using the PC for office tasks, then you probably won't need a lot of storage.

However, extra hard disk space can be useful if you want to run multiple operating systems (for example, if your office software is only available on an older version of Windows), or to create a 'partition' that can be easily backed up. Like most components, hard disks can be upgraded to increase your total amount of storage. If you don't want to install or replace an internal hard disk, consider buying an external drive like the My Book Mirror Edition 2TB. But be warned: the price of hard disks drops considerably every year, so buy only what you need.

Graphics card – eye candy

One of the most significant performance boosts to a PC can result from your choice of graphics card. There are literally dozens of different types, from low-end budget cards, right up to high-end, dual card behemoths, designed to power the latest ultra-realistic 3D graphics. However, this increased performance can come at a high cost - the price of your PC is often largely influenced by the type of graphics card inside - so choose wisely.

Gamers and designers will want to look at PCs with high-end cards from ATI and NVIDIA, while home and office users might want to look at something with a cheaper mid-range card. Alternatively, if graphics really aren't important, look for a PC that doesn't contain a graphics card at all, such as an entry-level Compaq Presario. These kinds of computers use the graphics capabilities built into the motherboard, and while they won't provide amazing performance, they're the cheapest option.