Building a Dell - advice please!

sudzs

Right - I've had the same PC for the last 5/6 years and it's on it's last legs. So am going to get a Dell as many have told me that is the way to go! (And after having spent the morning in PC World where they seemed to want to sell me more and more on top of the PC... Norton CD, Office CD...) I really am no expert and really only want it for internet and emails, music and photos with the odd bit of working from home where I'd need Office. Also trying to keep cost down, am thinking €700 - €750.

so I'm filling out the bit where you tick the boxes to build the PC. So far so good but wondering how important is the graphics card...? Would I be o.k with the Integrated Intel® Graphic Media Accelerator 3100 [Included in Price]

Any (I really do mean any!) advice really appreciated!

Thank you, thank you!!

oops! did I post this in the right place?? Sorry if not!

ethernet

Integrated graphics is fine for non-gamers. If you're only word processing and surfing the Internet, it is fine. Building in a graphics connector into the motherboard will cut costs. It nips into your system's RAM also and uses your processor to do the work. If this wasn't working out for you, you could always add a graphics card later.

If the machine is coming with Vista, there's some chance integrated graphics won't help in giving you the new eye-candy. If this won't bother you, that's fine. I would be inclined to opt for a dedicated video card, especially if it won't add too much to the cost of the PC.

sudzs

Thanks for the advice! I'm boggled here trying to tweak my order!! :rolleyes:

And what on earth are USB memory keys and do I need 'em?! Am thinking I do need them for reading a memory stick/flash drive. (and are they the same thing?)

Told ya I was no expert!

sandleman1979

USB memory keys are small portable storage devices allowing you to easily copy files and move from one computer to another. Saves time and effort compared to copying to CD's all the time.
You don't need one, however you will more than likely get a much higher capacity one (for a smaller price) if you don't order from dell!

sudzs

sandleman1979 wrote: »

USB memory keys are small portable storage devices allowing you to easily copy files and move from one computer to another. Saves time and effort compared to copying to CD's all the time.
You don't need one, however you will more than likely get a much higher capacity one (for a smaller price) if you don't order from dell!

Oh! So is a USB flash drive the same sort of thing? Does it do the same job? Coz I have one of those!

ethernet

sudzs wrote: »

Oh! So is a USB flash drive the same sort of thing? Does it do the same job? Coz I have one of those!

Exact same thing, just that it has too many different names: memory key, memory stick, USB stick, USB key, USB fob, etc.

sudzs

Thank you ! Thank you!

Appreciate ye taking the time to help out a total novice!

dulpit

Also, word of advice, check out Dell's small business portal, you don't need to be a business to shop there, and the machines can be quite a bit cheaper... (Try the Vostro or Optiplex, if the Vostro desktop is like the laptop you'll save a packet, i got a vostro laptop, saved like €600 or something compared to a similar home model...)

Vostro here

Optiplex here