Un recommend me a computer!!

billymitchell

I'm going to by my first computer in the next few days/weeks. My budget is around the €1000 mark(give or take a few hundred). WHich PC's should I stay away from???

Khannie

Very much depends on your knowledge level. Can you give a bit more info? Are there any in particular that you're looking at? What will it be used for?

srdb20

Just be careful whatever you decide!

Dont be cheap, when it comes to the important components ie CPU, etc....

Are you looking for a machine for Games or Media or both?

You should browse Komplett.ie, to try and get an idea!

billymitchell

I work in IT, but you know what they say, a litlle knowledge is a dangerous thing!!!!!!
I will be using it for learning different operating systems, maybe some web development and some gaming.
I do have a fair idea of what spec's i'm looking at, it more from a reliability/error free point of view. Which machines do I definitely stay away from??

srdb20

"I will be using it for learning different operating systems"

For this you could just partition your hard drive in a certain way depending on which op systems you want to use (or use seperate HDD's altogether)

If you are using it for gaming

you could try the asus sli Premium

or the asus sli deluxe

Both are great boards for gaming, with a great oppurtunities to upgrade in the future

Im not sure if you would benifit from Dual core processers (again depending what apps you'll be wanting to run!) If you do take the dual core way thats another thing you wont have to upgrade for a while, but it may take a big chunk of your budget!

Do you require Graphics card(s), monitor, keyboard & Mouse, PSU, Case etc...?

Sully

I think a Dell PC would be a nice option, iv never had a problem with Dell before (I know others have had, but perhaps its an easy enough option).

Id suggest as a rough guide -- Pentium 4, 512MB RAM, 200GB HD (possible 2 HD's). Should suite your needs (from personal experience). As for an alternative to the Pentium - I have had no experience with others so cant comment

billymitchell

I was looking a t the PC world range of PC's, some seem pretty good value, is there one's to stay away from(HP, compaq, Sony)??????
As for learning different operating systems, I am obtaining a piece of software to allow me to run different operating systems on top of windows(cant say too much more.................), so I'll need a pretty strong processor, ram etc. Disk space isnt really important, 80Gigs would do(I'm an 'old fashioned CD Collector', so space for tunes/video's is not that important)

srdb20

One of the only good things i can say about dell is that the package you get does encompass everything i.e (monitor, case, keybard)!

So if your looking or everything at a somewhat reasonable price Dell would be your best bet!

Or if your feeling adventurous you could buy all the components and make it up yourself for the same price but with better specs and more choice!

So what are you going to choose?

RangeR

Probably VMWare?

Anyway, if you want a descent pc, I'd stay away from the likes of PC World. I'd say they are more mass market machines and maybe not have the power to run multiple OS's concurrently.

If it's VMware and you want to run more than one OS other than the host, I'd go for as much RAM, CPU and Hard Disk as you can afford. Hard Disk would be too important, but why skimp.

<edit>
As far as HD space is concerned, allow between 1GB to 7GB per OS Image to store on secondary partition/HD.
</edit>

Maybe 2GB RAM, a beefy 3.2GHz or more Intel CPU or AMD equiv and maybe 200GB or more HD. If you can afford 2 HD's then great. You can store your OS Images on the second machine. Saves you loosing anything if you have to wipe the master. Failing that, two partitions should be good.

Elara do good custom builds. Komplett sell nice packages also but I think their prices are listed ex VAT so beware.

stevenmu

Given your budget a self-build would give you the best bang for your buck, if it's not something you've done before then the practice would be usefull for IT too. Komplett.ie, overclockers.co.uk and jes.de are generally the best suppliers for parts. You may want to get the larger heavier items, like case and monitor, locally (PC World, Peats, Maplins etc or even keep an eye on the for sale boards here).