Expert: Bobbert - 8/3/2011

Question
QUESTION: I want to get a computer. I am fairly computer literate. I want to build one however its seems more trouble than it's worth.? All I basically do on the computer is download, burn and watch videos on YouTube. I want a fast computer that I'm not tapping my foot while the next page loads. Now I have a dell dimension 3100. I'm told the bad thing about dell is I am limited to the hardware I can install in it, which is why I am going with a new computer rather than an upgrade. I don't want in the future to have the same issue of adding hardware. I would like a decent video card, a fast processor and a decent amount of memory. I have a 500G hard drive I will be installing that has xp on it. I would like to stay in the $600 range if possible. Thank you so much for your help.

ANSWER: Well, based on your usage scenario and requirements, the biggest factor in "page loading" is your ISP, not your computer. In other words, if your Internet connection is slow, browsing will be slow. All the processing power in the world will not change that.

A new machine likely won't improve much aside from multi-tasking, but that may be desirable for your usage. There is nothing wrong with Dell systems, and many of the complaints regarding upgrade-ability are based on much older hardware (like your equipment or older). Building the machine yourself is also possible, I'll include some resources below. Based on your listed requirements, the video card will not matter, so I would strike the item from your list - whatever is included with an OEM system (like a Dell), or an inexpensive integrated solution will be more than suitable. Finally, you will not be able to just take the hard-drive from your computer and put it into a new machine and have Windows work properly - aside from the issues with licensing (it isn't supported by your EULA with Microsoft), it will create substantial problems with respect to drivers and stability, if the machine even boots up properly. You will need to install a new and properly licensed operating system for the new hardware (you cannot use the same license twice unless you have purchased a VLK).

If you're interested in building the machine yourself, see the following resources:
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/how-to-tech/build-a-computer.htm
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_To_Assemble_A_Desktop_PC
http://lifehacker.com/5151369/the-first+timers-guide-to-building-a-computer-from

Don't assume that these are the entirety of knowledge, they're simply a starting point - if you feel that the time investment is worth it, I would suggest looking for parts from a reputable reseller, such as Fry's, MicroCenter, or (if you don't have those stores in your area or prefer to shop online), Newegg.com or TigerDirect.com.

If you have questions about specific parts or a specific machine, I would be glad to answer them. However, based on your requirements, more or less any off the shelf equipment in your price range will be more than suitable, and I would entirely suggest the transition to Windows 7 (which is what new hardware will be sold with).

-bob



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Oops I guess the specs would help! Sorry

ASUS Socket AM3/AMD 880G/SATA3&USB3​.0/Hybrid CrossFireX/A&V&​GbE/Micro ATX Motherboard s M4A88TD-M/USB3

SilverStone ATX/Micro ATX Mid Tower Case with Tool-less Installation Design PS05B (Black)
  
Sony LightScribe 24X SATA Internal DVD+/-RW Drive - Bulk AD-7261S-0B (Black)

Samsung Desktop Class Spinpoint F3 1 TB SATA 3.0 Gb-s 32 MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare-OEM Drives, HD103SJ

PNY NVIDIA GeForceŽ GTX 550 Ti 1GB DDR5 PCI-Express Video Card with 2DVI/Mini HDMI, VCGGTX550TXPB

Kingston HyperX 12GB Kit (3x4GB Modules) 1600MHz DDR3 DIMM Desktop Memory (KHX1600C9D3K3/​12GX)

Corsair Builder Series CX V2 430-Watt power supply repair

-Chris

ANSWER: I tagged your other question as a duplicate, simply to clear it from the system - I'll answer your question in this reply.

With respect to the system you've designed - I'm not seeing a CPU selected, and I would suggest less RAM (you will absolutely never use 12GB of RAM, 4GB is more than enough for the majority of uses, and will bring the price down). I would also consider a different power supply, something better suited to the hardware you've chosen, in the 550-700W range. Look at Enermax, Seasonic, XFX, Silverstone, or similar.

-bob




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: -The ASUS M4A88TD-M is the motherboard that I have listed.  
-Does this motherboard have a video card on it so I don't need one? It says: Integrated ATI Radeon HD4250 Graphics controller LAN under "video". Can I use the one that I have listed with this inquiry instead. Will it have any noticeable impact?
-Do I need a separate processor? If so what will work and be best? Not too familiar with processors now a days.
I want faster processing power on offline type work. Running multiple programs and trying to download and/or convert video for burning chews up all of my processing power and makes for slow progress.
-The ram is actually cheeper than the lower memory right now so that is my reasoning behind my selection. $92.00 Is there such thing as too much memory?
- The 2 power supplies I found are:
*XFX XXX Edition 650 Watt P1650XCAG9
*SilverStone 600W Single +12V Rail ATX 12V v2.3 80 Plus Certified Active PFC Power Supply ST60F-ES (Black)
Any preference?
All of the remainder look as though it will go together well?
Thanks again for your patience and direction!!
-Chris

Answer
The Radeon HD 4250 controller will work, however it will be noticeably slower with respect to 3D rendering (gaming) contrasted to the GeForce; if you don't play 3D games, or play much older games, the 4250 should be perfect.

Yes you absolutely need a CPU! You selected an AM3 motherboard, so you'll need to select an AM3 processor that fits into your budget, I would suggest purchasing a retail packaged chip, over an OEM chip, as it will include a heatsink-fan.

If the memory is cheaper, than go with it, $92 is quite a lot for memory though - you should be able to get out the door for around half that with a 4GB kit. No, you cannot have too much memory (there is a functional limit within Windows, for 32-bit systems it sits around 4GB, for 64-bit systems it's something silly like 192GB), although if you're planning on 4GB or more, ensure you select a 64-bit version of Windows (there should be no price differential between that and a 32-bit version).

Of those power supplies, either would be good, is one cheaper than the other? If you are skipping the GeForce card, your original Corsair will be suitable, however I would still suggest getting the better PSU today, as you can add a new graphics adapter (or some other upgrade) later, without having to buy the power supply then (and ultimately buying two power supplies).

-bob