Buying a new computer, advice needed!

karen1

I'm looking to buy a new base unit and have decided on a Vostro ST from Dell, I like the idea of being able to put it under my monitor.

So i'm going to customise this unit and need some advice!

The basic model comes with an Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core E2160 Processor (1.8GHz,800MHz,1MB cache) for an extra £50.00 I can upgrade to a Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E4500 Processor (2.20GHz,800MHz,2MB cache) is it worth the extra or am I better to upgrade the memory, the basic comes with 2048MB but I can upgrade to 3072MB for £27.00 or even 4096MB for £90.00. If I went for the upgrades in memory would they work OK on a E2160 processor (sorry all these terms baffle me!!!)

I love to work with photos so i've decided I really need to upgrade the basic graphics card, does anyone have any experience with ATI Radeon HD 2400 Pro 256MB, for an extra £5.0 I can have an XT version, what's the difference?

Lastly, I currently run on Windows XP, I can have XP again for no extra cost but obviously the newest version is Vista, this machine comes with the business version. Which, in your opinion would I be better with?

Thanks for your help, not that i play the "i'm a woman" card but hey I need help!!!:D

isofa

If you are working with large images, then a fast processor with lots of RAM will definitely help. The graphics card won't make much difference, it only really makes a difference in 3D/CAD design and games.

Have you got a lot of software which you use all the time with XP?

XP will be faster on a machine than Vista. Some people like Vista, some don't.

reedi

Personally I wouldnt touch Dell with a barge pole. The PC market moves very fast which means PC's quickly become outdated. Later down the line when you might want to upgrade the PC, you should be able to shop around for the cheapest bit you want to upgrade, buy it and fit it into your current system. Problem with Dell is that once your buy from them, you pretty much have to go back to them for everything else should you want it, ie. Dell bits for a Dell machine, whereas my PC for example, has no official brand name so I can buy the parts I want to upgrade (see keeping it up-to-date), from wherever I like...which in theory saves having to buy a new PC every 3 years or so.

Therefore I might suggest finding a local PC shop (NOT PC WORLD), and just seeing if you can get a non branded PC with possibly higher specs, for around the same price or cheaper.

Im a designer so work with photos too. For them, a big hard drive is needed, always worth getting a decent graphics card aswell cause that affects screen resolution and colour accuracy which is important if you're using software like Photoshop to adjust/improve your photos. Generally the more memory the better aswell, it'll help your machine run quicker, but again memory prices are like YoYos, think Dell machine would mean Dell memory whereas it can be bought separately from the likes of crucial.com. (an example is that when I bought my Apple laptop, Apple website said memory upgrade was £250 odd extra....I bought it as standard and just got same memory amount for £70 (brand names means brand markups).

As for XP for Vista, well Vista is still pretty new and with every new operating system there's going to be bugs/problems until its been out in the field for a while and updated. XP has some years behind it and is plenty stable now once you have downloaded and installed all the updates. Vista will continually be updated so it's pretty much down to preference and what you're use to using (Vista is different to XP).

I think its generally thought that every new PC has to be bought in one ready built box, so most head for the likes of Dell or PC World (which arn't always the cheapest or giving you the right specs for your money). You can infact build your own from mishmash of pieces at a spec you want at possibly cheaper the price, all it's missing is a brand name.

So yep, shop around and compare before signing for Dell I say, speak to local PC expert or ring the likes of http://www.overclockers.co.uk and see what they can offer.

tradetime

Problem with Dell is that once your buy from them, you pretty much have to go back to them for everything else should you want it, ie. Dell bits for a Dell machine, whereas my PC for example, has no official brand name so I can buy the parts I want to upgrade (see keeping it up-to-date), from wherever I like...which in theory saves having to buy a new PC every 3 years or so.

Well I may be totally wrong on what exactly Dell do, appologies if this turns out to be the case) but generally a PC is a collection of hardware and software bits assembled by a manufacturer, (in this case Dell) What I mean by that is, Dell do not "make" graphics cards, hard drives, flash memory, processors, etc ergo there are no major components in a Dell box that make it anymore dificult to update with commercially available bits than your (or indeed my) custom build. The only reason you may feel compelled to go back to Dell for bits, is if it is under a warranty that is invalidated by opening the box.
That said I do prefer non-brand pc's myself, along with overclockers, and your local pc shop, you could also look at http://www.cyberpowersystem.co.uk/

BillScarab

Dell used to use a lot or proprietary parts, they don't any more. They are generally no harder to upgrade than any other PC.

Unless you play games don't waste money on upgrading the graphics card. More memory could be useful but £90 to give it 4Gb is expensive, it would be cheaper to buy it later if you need it. Going up to 3Gb for £27 is not too bad though.

As for the processor I doubt it will make a massive difference for general use and photo editing as ther eisn't alot of difference between those CPU's.

So to sum up I would say the 3Gb upgrade for £27 is OK, the CPU is OK if you have the cash but not essential. The graphics card would be a waste of money.

As for XP or Vista, I like Vista but the version in Vostro's is Vista Business which doesn't have any of the multimedia apps built in which may be of use to you. Windows Photo Gallery however is included I think and is pretty good for managing photos and basic editing.

robt_2

reedi wrote: »

Personally I wouldnt touch Dell with a barge pole. The PC market moves very fast which means PC's quickly become outdated. Later down the line when you might want to upgrade the PC, you should be able to shop around for the cheapest bit you want to upgrade, buy it and fit it into your current system. Problem with Dell is that once your buy from them, you pretty much have to go back to them for everything else should you want it, ie. Dell bits for a Dell machine,

Rubbish - Dell use standard parts.

Bungarm2001

Hi I'm looking for a computer for my 70 yr old mother-in-law who is very keen to learn, but almost a complete novice where computers and the internet etc are concerned...any ideas for a very user friendly system? She won't want all the bells and whistles, just a good reliable machine...thanks!

reedi

Apple Apple Apple.....not exactly cheap (second hand eMacs arnt too bad though) but user-friendly all round, plus OSX has some brilliant accessibility features like text to speech and BIG onscreen fonts.

robt_2

reedi wrote: »

Apple Apple Apple.....not exactly cheap (second hand eMacs arnt too bad though) but user-friendly all round, plus OSX has some brilliant accessibility features like text to speech and BIG onscreen fonts.

Same as a PC with Vista Home Basic then, only far more expensive?

reedi

robt wrote: »

Rubbish - Dell use standard parts.

Fair enough, still dont alter the fact that the majority flock to Dell just cause it's Dell. Like McDonalds, we all flock there for grub, but seem to forget Mrs Miggins Cafe next door that offers more for your money.

Who says you have to follow the herd?

reedi

robt wrote: »

Same as a PC with Vista Home Basic then, only far more expensive?

Vista = overcomplicated nonsense.
OSX = newbie bliss.

(and no not getting into a Mac verses PC argument here, that's just my opinion)