I`ve found 2 desktops with a few differences can anyone help please?

katies_mum

I would be very grateful if someone could possibly check over the spec of two desktops I`ve found. HP S3552 in John Lewis £550 or the S3541 I have just found in local Staples and they will do a good deal if I buy the 22" monitor as well for the desktop and monitor £620 (but found on the staples website them both for £611.98 so if I decide to get them I`ll have to negotiate a bit more!! not sure if they match their web prices.

S3552 S3541
Processor AMD phenom 9100e Intel core 2 Duo E4700

operating sys vista home prem 64 bit this has 32 bit

memory 4GB 3GB

External Hard disc drive Pocket media sold separate this has 160gb

Optical type drive blu-ray & supermulti dvd dvd writer SATA DVD RAM
with lightscribe & double layer supporting
lightscribe
Video ram 256MB upto 2047MB 256MB upto 1535

graphics NVIDIA n force 430 NVIDIA 630i (on hp site but on staples it says ATI radeon HD 3450)

This also has HP total care
advisor, photosmart essential
cyber link DVD suite premium this is deluxe

Everything else seems to be the same, I just don`t understand any of it, but I`m talking about ££.

Also please can i ask about monitors I was going for W2228h from JL the staples is a W2207H - the only difference I can see is the response on the 2228 is 3ms and the other is 5ms and the ratio is 3000 dynamic and 1000m static on the 2228 and 1000 on the other.

I would be really grateful if anyone could cast their eye over this as I don`t know if the differences are worth the extra ££ don`t know much about the processors etc, want it to be quiet!! Thanking you x

fwor

Much depends on what you'll be using it for. You will only be able to exploit the quad-core fully if you need to do lots of tasks simultaneously, or if you run one or more CPU-intensive programs that are optimised for quad-core.

IMO, most people these days don't actually ~need~ anything more than a fairly basic dual-core unless they are gamers or developers.

So... if you reckon your computer use is "average", I'd save a few quid and spend around £350-400 on a Dell special offer:

http://www.dmxdimension.com/

Sorry that didn't answer your question, but at least it bumped it...

katies_mum

Thanks, got a dell at moment which I am not bothering to get repaired only had 3 years sounds like concorde - cost more than the most expensive of these HP`s

chunter

Maybe sounds a bit high spec today, but in a very graphics-orientated touch screen tomorrow?

katies_mum

Trouble is I know nothing, and don`t understand what any of it means..

the_rottweiler

john lewis offer min 2 year warranty inc in price (may be the better deal)

katies_mum

That is a bonus, just wish they would do a deal if you buy the desktop and monitor together. Seems they will only price match another shop if you have proof of the same model being cheaper - JL are the only ones selling the 3552..

Is a Phenom 9100e better than a intel core 2 duo? I just a switch on and hope it works kind of girl, know nothing and as long as the thing works am quite happy.. but would like it to last, so want the best even if it means a few more £`s.

Decisions, decisions why can`t life be easy..??

fwor

katies_mum wrote: »

Trouble is I know nothing, and don`t understand what any of it means..

At a simplistic level, more/bigger is "better". The quad core is "better" than the dual-core in the examples you give, but only if you can make use of it. If you can't it's just a waste of money.

4Gb is obviously "better" than 3Gb, but - even with Vista - an average user probably won't notice any difference.

It's not really possible to say which of those would suit your usage best because you don't say how you expect to use it.

(BTW, if you have a 3 year old Dell that cost more than £550 new, don't throw it away - pay £5 for a new fan and give it to someone - it's probably got at least a couple more years life in it.)

aliEnRIK

From what youve told me before.
Youd be happy with ~
2 gig or more ram
2.2 Ghz dual core or faster
120 Gig Sata hard drive
DVD writer
20"/22" widescreen monitor with DVI (Digital) connection
Any newish nvidia or ATI graphics card with a DVI output and 256RAM (or more)