Looking at a relatively basic new PC

jasonb

Hi there,

Thinking of getting a new PC in a month or two. It doesn't have to be a monster by any stretch, but I would like it to have a decent Processor, Video Card and Ram. I won't be playing top of the range games on it etc., but one good test is I'd like it to run Microsoft Flight Simulator X at full graphics settings and get a fast, smooth frame rate.

Anyhow, I was looking at this one :

http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?b=&c=ie&cs=iedhs1&kc=DRS54503&l=en&m_30=111787&oc=D004503&rbc=D004503&s=dhs

In case the link doesn't work it's a Dell Inspiron 545 with an Intel Core 2 Quad-Core Q8300 Processor ( 2.5Ghz, 4Mb Cache, 1333MHz FSB ), 4Gb Dual Channel DDR2 800MHz Ram and 512Mb ATI Radeon HD 4350 Graphics Card. The total is €519 ( as I'm not getting a monitor ).

I also have an option of spending an extra €70 for an nVidia GeForce GT220 1Gb graphics card instead.

So, basically, is that good spec for that price? I'm happy with the price ( i.e. I can handle spending €500 ) but I'd like to make sure it's going to do the job for me. As FSX is 3 years old I'm hoping that spec should do me?

I've the option of 32Bit or 64Bit Windows Vista. The little I know of 64Bit suggests to me that it should handle the 4Gb of RAM ( and more if I upgrade in future ) better than 32Bit. But if I'm using a PC for Word / Excel, Internet browsing and a few games ( like FSX ) should I go 64Bit or 32Bit?

Finally, should I go with Vista or look at Windows 7?

Thanks in advance for all advice...

J.

Kevster

Yo,

That looks pretty fantastic for that price. you might want to make sure you get MS Office bundled with it though, and a wireless/cable router (whatever your prefs. are). Also, I WOULD actually get Windows 7. The transition to Windows 7 is apparently going to be as big as the transition from Windows 2000 to Windows XP (i.e. - it marks a fundamental change in the OS structure). As such, I think you should wait a while to get one with Windows 7 on it.

Kevin

donmeister

Kevster wrote: »

Also, I WOULD actually get Windows 7. The transition to Windows 7 is apparently going to be as big as the transition from Windows 2000 to Windows XP (i.e. - it marks a fundamental change in the OS structure). As such, I think you should wait a while to get one with Windows 7 on it.

Gonna have to +1 on this idea,try holding out for Windows 7,its out in October and is a much,much better OS than Vista (I used the RC), just a waste of time using Vista now then buying 7,just my 2c

jasonb

Thanks for your replies... I already have Office, so don't need that bundled, and already have the Wireless Router too ( and Monitor ). I think I'm leaning towards spending the extra €70 for the nVidia 1Gb card, if I can afford it, there's no harm in buying a bigger spec if I can!

I have heard good things about Windows 7, and won't be able to buy the PC for a couple of months anyhow so waiting won't be a problem ( well, when I say that, I don't *want* to wait, but I have to! ).

So that just leaves 32bit v 64bit. Which should I go for? Thanks!

J.

marco_polo

New machine with 4GB RAM no reason not to go 64bit IMO.

Kevster

Yeh, just get the 64-bit too. All PCs will eventually use that. I think you should be thinking long term really. I bought my current PC way back in 2000 but it's still quite good/powerful even today. That's because I put the investment in for a long term thing. So, I think you should have that in mind.

jasonb

Cool...

Thanks a lot for your advice! I'll get the 64Bit Windows 7 ( Home Premium probably ), and I'm pretty much happy with the CPU and RAM. I've asked a separate question in the Graphics forum to help me decide on a graphics card. Now I just have to wait a few months 'til I have the money!

J.