Tech Outpost

[mikedov Regular Contributor]

I am looking forward to buying a new Desktop computer that costs aroudnd £500 to £700.  I want a PC that is fairly powerful and able to handle Photoshop.  No particular preferance for branding (must be "famous" brand like HP, etc) or processor manufacturer (AMD or Intel is OK).  Any advice?

[bleeper24 Super Spam Squasher Mobile Master (Norton Mobile Users Discussion Forum)]

Hi mikedov

                     There are many points to take into consideration when buying a new desktop or laptop....Seeing as you have preference for a Desktop model , and seeing as your budget range is quoted in GBP ...I recommend you get hold of a reputable PC magazine such as PC Advisor..Computer Shopper  and check out the Ads from various builders such as Palicomp and PowerC etc;

The big brand names are not always the best buys I can assure you...HP is withdrawing from the hardware side of their operations and there well may be some bargains to be had ..but you must "factor in " the availability of certain parts that could be required in future for upgrades etc .

The big names sometimes use specific components that are available only from them , and this can in some cases lead to expensive repairs/ upgrades etc . Not always the case ...but worth bearing in mind !

The system builders such as Palicomp ...Powerc in the U/K offer a range of models ...all of which can be customized at point of order /sale .

Here you can stipulate a better Processor..more RAM ...bettter Hard Drive and Graphics card specs .These companies automatically check that all components are compatible and work in harmony before building them and shipping to the consumer .

Many models offered by some suppliers are "pegged " at various price brackets.....Some have good processor specs and decent memory configuration ...but are sometimes married to a very poor hard drive spec with low spin speeds and data transfer rates , which in effect "hobbles " the decent specced parts of the build .

You could easily buy a model that could be improved dramatically by a bit of judicious "shopping around " and its possible to increase a PC's capabilities by a huge performance margin for a minimal price increase if you just know where to shop !

Everyones needs are different ..so if you can advise what your main PC usage consists of ..It will be easier to offer more specific advice ...If you want to play reasonably new releases of software games..Then the Graphics capability of your chosen model will be paramount...

some of the Graphics processors included in some models are a joke

A basic idea of your usage of yoyr PC will help a lot ..so post us an update of what your usage preferences are and we'll take it from there !

[mikedov Regular Contributor]

I mostly use the computer for my schoolwork (Microsoft Word) and browsing the web. However, I would like a PC that can easily support watching html5 video with hardware acceleration of IE9. Also do some occasional Photo editing with Photoshop and video editing with Windows Live Movie Editor so should be fairly powerful. Core i7 preferable. Harddrive space not a big deal and 500 gb should be enough. Prefer a powerful PC. Wireless card is a must. So low storage space, high power.

[huwyngr Norton Fighter]

bleeper,

<< ...HP is withdrawing from the hardware side of their operations and there well may be some bargains to be had ..but you must "factor in " the availability of certain parts that could be required in future for upgrades etc . >>

They fired the CEO who released that information and have changed their mind so HP should be continuing with PCs.

[huwyngr Norton Fighter]

I've been building my own for several years now and you might be surprised how easy it is if you get advice on selecting components and it certainly helps you learn about computers!

I don't share all of Bleeper's feelings about the big names and using "local firms" partly perhaps because my first real PC, after graduating from a Tandy Model 2000 was built by a small firm in the UK, not far from where I lived and it came with a lifetime warranty ..... the only problem was that the company went bankrupt between my ordering and my getting it.

I did manage to talk my way into their building and find it and got the credit card company to refund me part of the charge for not having a warranty!

If you go for a name brand then I would go for HP or for Lenovo if only for the quality of their online support in terms of downloads, manuals and so on (not many companies allow you to download the field service manuals used for replaceable components and have illustrated web pages or videos on how to do it!

And with the way PCs are discounted these days (at least here in the USA where I live now) it is hard to beat the prices.

For what you describe you don't need the top level CPU and I prefer AMD CPUs if only for the cost differential. They may benchmark a little slower than the fastest INTEL but most users would not notice.

I would go for a minimum of 4GB of RAM and preferably for 8GB since you are pretty certain to be getting Windows 7 in 64 bit version these day and get it when you buy the PC since the manufacturers often fill the slots and you have to remove perfectly good RAM to put in the larger strips.

500GB for your hard drive is absolutely too small these days and even more so if you are going to do any imaging / video work.

If it works out within your budget get 2 x 1TB drives fitted inside the case and use the second drive for backing up your personal files and work in progress to since the speed of data transfer will be faster with an internal drive than with most external plugged in drives. Don't go for one 2TB drive partitioned into two logical drives since when the hard drive fails (and it is when and not if) you will lose your backups!

If you can afford it add an external 1TB or 2TB drive ideally connected by eSATA or by USB 3 to get the advantage of their fast data handling -- but if it's USB 3 you need it at both ends -- on the PC and on the external hard drive.

I've used WIndows Live Movie Maker and I was impressed with it finding it much easier to use than the Nero 8 I have installed also -- with the WLMM I could locate easily to a single frame to cut out a sequence I wanted to have on a disk on its own.

[delphinium Norton Fighter]

Check the case provided by the supplier as well.  I was able to order a stock machine and upgrade the memory and video as well as choose the case.  The case is more imporatant than a person might think in that how the case is designed greatly affects efficient cooling.  I had the drives, I use two as well, separated slightly to allow better cooling, as well as upgraded the fan size.  You want the air to flow evenly past the interior hardware components.

[bleeper24 Super Spam Squasher Mobile Master (Norton Mobile Users Discussion Forum)]

Hi mekedov

                         I recently wrote

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The big brand names are not always the best buys I can assure you...HP is withdrawing from the hardware side of their operations and there well may be some bargains to be had ..but you must "factor in " the availability of certain parts that could be required in future for upgrades etc .

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Thanks to Hugh firstly......for updating me on the fact that HP are still maintaining the hardware area of operations ...I wasn't aware that they had "changed their minds " etc;Thanks Hugh ....HP build quality has always been of a very high standard with good support .

I can assure you I am not against "big branded names " ...I was merely suggesting you consider some of the alternatives during your search for your new desktop .

I totally agree with Hugh that some small firms are not always the best option...but the two companies I mentioned are often very well represented in the best buy ratings in the reviews in the U/K .

The price range that you have suggested , and the uses that  you will put your desktop to with regard to "power " being a main criteria , means that you will be nearer the "top end " of your budget quote in order to reach the component level you prefer . Do not reject AMD processors from your choice of processor by the way . I always prefer Intel for laptops ...but all my desktop builds are AMD !

I did not intend to make your search for advice more complex by stating my views on "big brand names " ..I simply wanted you to be aware that there are some excellent alternatives available ...Regards.......Ed

[mikedov Regular Contributor]

I currently have a 500 gb harddrive, which I barely fill up! Therefore, I thought about skimping on the storage to save money to upgrade the processor. Also, regarding AMD, what are their top processor classes at the moment? Also, regarding ATI graphic cards, how are they ranked? According to model number? Also which is more important, graphic card memory or graphic card speed?

[bleeper24 Super Spam Squasher Mobile Master (Norton Mobile Users Discussion Forum)]

Hi again mikedov

                                You replied-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I currently have a 500 gb harddrive, which I barely fill up! Therefore, I thought about skimping on the storage to save money to upgrade the processor. Also, regarding AMD, what are their top processor classes at the moment? Also, regarding ATI graphic cards, how are they ranked? According to model number? Also which is more important, graphic card memory or graphic card speed?

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Thanks for the added info ...I do not know your level of knowlege regarding PC components etc; so forgive me if I state any facts you may already be aware of

As technology moves very fast in this field ...it isn't easy to give "cutting edge"  details of all the permutations , but heres a few points that may answer some of your queries.These are just a guide to show how varied the series numbers and model numbers are not always a case of " higher numbers are better "

In the processor area of operations ..the Intel Sandy Bridge i.3 .i5 and i7 's are a force to be reckoned with but the i.7 choice you initially stated as a favourite , will come at an increased cost obviously ......

If you go for an "off the shelf " branded desktop model...the manufacturers choice of motherboard will define which processor slot type is on the board they use , and this defines the type of processor and its' price! I mention this because the socket type numbering , doesn't mean that the "higher the number the better the processor " Example below ......

The Sandy Bridge socket 1155  3.3GHz  i5 processor sells at around £156 here in the U/K

The older Intel Socket 1156  3.2 GHz  i5-650  processor retails around £ 130 but is way behind the performance of the  Sandy Bridge !

As for AMD ..The Phenom II  range are pretty quick at the top end of their range  ,bearing in mind your mentioned budget , a Phenom X6 would be around the £120 mark  , but again ..there are so many models that comparisons are not always easy to make .The six core models are pegged at a price range to compete with the Intel Core i series but the prices are pretty much the same as Intels prices and in that case scenario I would stay with Intel .

As for Graphics cards , ATI use the HD prefix as opposed to the nVidia GT prefix

so for example HD 5570 models @ 650 MHz Core clock and 1Gb RAM  ...then the HD 5670 @ 775 MHz clock and 1Gb RAM  .The HD 5770  @ 850MHz clock ...the 5770 will cost  around £ 60 more than a 5570 though !

As to your final query about memory and speed etc...the important criteria is to ensure that your hard earned money is spent on components that work in harmony ......a decent graphics card can be severely " hobbled " by bottlenecks caused by a slower spin hard drive for example

A  hard drive spin speed of 7200 rpm is preferable to the commonly fitted 5400 rpm type .

To summarise ....if you buy off the shelf .....you have the components that the manufacturer deems as the best marriage of hardware and peripherals at the price bracket you select ..If you go for a Custom build from a reputable system builder ....you can select the configuration that suits you , and all compatibility issues are examined and resolved by the builder prior to final assembl and testing !

I take on board the comment that Hugh remarked regarding a bad experience with a smaller company ...but if you use a reputable manufacturer with verified review ratings and reputation , you should be fine .

Have a look here for an example of the options and choices available and see if it interests you ...................................

http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk

It will give you an idea of which way to proceed and all the options available ..Hope this helps ...and let us know how yoy progress

[huwyngr Norton Fighter]

mike ...

Marilyn Monroe said it -- You can never have enough disk space or RAM .....

The top AMD CPU is an 8 core one! But I would not recommend it from the initial reports since it only shows an improvement if fully loaded and most systems / software are likely not to be able to do that!

I would think any 4 core CPU would suit you and I would feel comfortable with about 3GHz CPU speed -- BTW AMD are well thought of for overclocking if you ever want to play with that and ASUS motherboards handle that too.

I can't really help on graphics -- I use the onmotherboard ATH Radeon that comes on my motherboard. If you are a gamer maybe it matters; if you are into really high level Photoshop with the multi $100 version and not the elements maybe it matters.

Some of the newest AMD CPUs have the graphics built into the CPU which really maxes the communication link!