I need to know what to look for (new PC)

jenniewb

I need some help or someone to point me in the right direction. I need a new computer and I want to know what to look for when chosing a new computer.

My current computer is a few years old now, its not dying but it isn't fit-for-purpose. I just seem to cause it to freeze or crash because I use it too heavily. I don't have a TV so now watch the iplayer on the computer but like to use about 3 or 4 other pages at the same time, like to use itunes and not have it freeze everything (because my computer only likes to do one thing at a time) and just need something faster.

I'm trying to do my research first because I'm being gifted this but wont be able to get anything before the January sales and will have a strict budget so I want to know how to pick out the best model for my needs (no I don't trust salesmen) and also would have thought that despite computers having high ratings in whatever test, everyone's needs are unique and the best thing to do is have an idea on what you need and what to look for rather then go on a magazine's preferences.

Are there any websites or not too heavily technical books which would help me understand exactly what I need to look for?

Thanks in advance

Cash-Cow_3

I take it you want a desk top?

What's your budget?

debitcardmayhem

You could try Closed's thread to speed it up https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2436849 , and as for "freezing/crashing" it could be just a question of your fans being clogged up (and the insides too)

closed

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3464811

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3235692

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4178547

macman

How old is 'a few years"? What OS?
Start with a backup and reinstall of the OS before buying new.

debitcardmayhem

macman wrote: »

How old is 'a few years"? What OS?
Start with a backup and reinstall of the OS before buying new.

Look at closed's post above your :cool:

jenniewb

debitcardmayhem wrote: »

You could try Closed's thread to speed it up https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2436849 , and as for "freezing/crashing" it could be just a question of your fans being clogged up (and the insides too)

Yup, done these things a few times, I manage to marginally speed things up...for about 30 minutes then when I start using the thing again it freezes up all over again!:mad:

It's just because I use my PC for more then what it is capable of. I like to run twitter, the MSE forums and the iplayer and use my emails all at the same time as occasionally running google searches and ebay searches, opening/closing various pages with itunes in the background....and I use my computer like this every day. I often find though that pages freeze or I'll go back to a page I minimised only to find the screen is now blue or black or white and nothing is on it, even refreshing does nothing and it then takes a good 15 minutes to contr/alt/delete get rid of the page manually. And then the iplayer crashes...

I have a computer which at the time was a basic model, is now an even more basic model because back then I didn't need it to do very much (the occasional word document, the occasional email and the occasional ebay search maybe one thing at a time). I just need bigger and better and faster, hence my search.

jenniewb

Cash-Cow wrote: »

I take it you want a desk top?

What's your budget?

Yup, its a PC I need. I'll have a budget of around £500 but wont be able to use this until the January Sales (if computers ever really get reduced then) so I'm trying to educate myself on what I'll need to look for in terms of space and speed...etc so I can make quick decisions if a model I like becomes out of stock and an even better one is reduced to a level within budget.

jenniewb

macman wrote: »

How old is 'a few years"? What OS?
Start with a backup and reinstall of the OS before buying new.

I got the computer, at a reduced price back in 2007, I was told it was not "top of the range". A year later Dell was telling me they no longer supported the model I have as it was "very out of date".

It uses a very hungry Windows Vista 32-bit and the model is a Dimension C521. I've added extra space but yet still get warning messages telling me I'm nearly all out and that this is one of the reasons for the speed. Can't say I noticed a great deal of difference in speed when I initially added the extra space though so doubt its all down to this.

Cisco001

Just google C521 spec
Athlon 64 3200+ 2.00 GHz, 512 MB RAM, 160 GB HDD
If that is the spec, you need to get new machine.

Assuming you are not using the machine for gaming.

This machine should suit what you are doing now, but have limited upgrade ability. You would need to get OS and install it yourself
http://www.ebuyer.com/407541-zoostorm-desktop-pc-7873-1078

For £450, you can consider this
http://www.dinopc.com/shop/pc/configurePrd.asp?idproduct=1572

I would recommend upgrade slightly better case to Fractal Design Core 1000 & PSU to 500W Xigmatek

macman

Upgrade to W7, bung in another 1.5GB of RAM, job done.