Small desktop processors ("towers")

esuhl

ERICS_MUM wrote: »

1. Is it possible to buy small processors that are just as powerful as the "standard" sizes. By small I mean small dimensions not power ! Can anyone recommend a brand please

The processor is actually a small chip inside your computer that performs arithmetic tasks and co-ordinates input/output of other components. What you want is a whole computer, not just a processor!

Anyway, you can get smaller computers that will perform just as well as larger ones. But often a larger one is "better" as it is likely to have better cooling (causing less "wear and tear" on your components). Some of the smaller PCs also have limitations meaning that you can't use standard graphics cards, and may be limited with the number of interfaces -- with some you might only be able to have a single hard drive, and other components might be proprietary -- the power supply might have to be a certain shape to fit the small case, so you can't just buy a "standard" replacement. In other words, it might be more expensive to repair and you may be extremely limited if you wanted to upgrade any components.

But, if the machine you buy is reliable and will never be upgraded, and you really are limited for space, then perhaps a small PC would make sense.

ERICS_MUM wrote: »

2. Are keyboards and monitors universally compatible with PCs or do I need to check that my existing items will work with the new processor ?

The keyboard and mouse will have either a PS/2 plug (small round with a few pins in the middle) or USB (flat rectangular plug). Quite a few PCs don't have PS/2 sockets these days, but you can get a cheap adaptor like this, if that's the case:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TWIN-ADAPTOR-CABLE-KEYBOARD-MOUSE/dp/7800836789/ref=pd_sim_computers_3

The monitor is likely to have either a D-sub plug (D-shaped with 15 pins inside the D) or DVI (rectangular plug with more than 15 pins, slightly to one side, next to a thin, flat pin). If you buy a PC with a DVI socket, but your monitor has a D-sub plug, you can get an adaptor like this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/PC-Trading%C2%AE-Display-Adapter-Female/dp/B005MNBY00/ref=pd_cp_computers_2

But it's always worth double-checking exactly what sockets are on the PC so you don't have any surprises!