Getting the Best Desktop PC

Tips And Tricks For Buying A Great Desktop Computer

Millions of people are using desktop computers right now. They may be using them at work or at home, but they’re running all the time somewhere. This is probably something you know a little about, but it wouldn’t hurt you to learn some things about desktop computers. Here are some tips to think over.

When you build your own computer, use the right products. Certain processors are compatible with only certain motherboards. Some RAM units only work with particular motherboards. When buying parts, check out the compatibility factor. This saves time and money, as well as headaches when you build your desktop computer.

If you plan on storing a lot of music or videos, make sure you get a hard drive that will cover your needs. In general, the more hard drive space that you can get, the better off you are. That is, unless you only write emails and surf the web on your desktop. You need the space especially if you shoot video.

If you do photo or video work, you’ll want a desktop computer with at least four cores. Called quad-core, this desktop will give you a lot of multitasking ability. Your computer won’t stutter when you have multiple big programs open. This will save you a lot of frustration during your work sessions.

If you want to extend the life of your potential desktop computer, make sure you choose one that is upgradeable. There are more than a few desktops these days that seal access to the inner workings of the machine. That means no ability to upgrade. Check that you’ve got access prior to buying.

As you select your desktop computer, pay attention to the sorts of software that are included, particularly if you need a word processing package. You need to be aware of whether or not you will receive a complete version of such software, or if you will just get a trial version that will require you to spend additional money later on.

Back up your desktop computer from time to time. Unfortunately, computers do crash and can take all of the data on the hard drive with them. Many times that data is important and it can be devastating to lose things like pictures, papers, or anything that you store on your computer.

What sort of internet connection will you be using? This is an important question to answer as you seek out a desktop as it has to have the right hardware to connect. Your options are typically wifi, ethernet or bluetooth, all of which require a special device to connect.

Don’t forget to consider used computers when shopping. These are often purchased from the current owner directly as opposed to in a store. You can find them on classified sites and they can be bought for a steal. When you don’t need the latest, greatest machine, this is an affordable alternative.

If you are buying used, make sure to check the computer first. Plug it in, turn it on and see if you can go online. Test the speed of the computer and make sure everything is working properly. Unless you have the patience and time to send the computer back and wait for a refund, do not buy used online.

When looking for a computer system, keep an eye out for what kind of graphics chipset it has.

Cheaper systems tend to have video cards that are called on-board, or integrated. This means it is actually part of the motherboard. You are going to get far better video quality and gaming from a dedicated video card that is attached in a slot.

RAM, or memory, is basically how much muscle a computer has. It is also one of the cheapest and easiest upgrades you can ever hope to do. Sometimes, it’s cheaper to buy a system with a little bit of RAM and then upgrade up to a higher number by adding more RAM yourself.

When buying a used computer, be sure to take it apart to check all of its components. Look at the ports, the case and the boards inside to see if anything obvious is wrong. Don’t know what to look for? Check out Google Images before you go to the seller.

Deciding between a Mac and a PC can be a hard choice. Note that changing operating systems is a new learning experience and can take a while to master. If you already know one of them well, your best bet is to stick with that system in the future, too.

When buying a new computer, consider which way your drives point.

If you can’t open them fully because there is a monitor, wall or other obstacle in the way, you’ll find your computer does nothing but frustrate you. The same goes for usb or headphone ports, or the power switch.

Keep in mind that you can always add components later. If you happen to be looking at a good deal on a desktop computer, remember that you can always add things later. You can always buy more memory, for example. You can save money if you buy a bare bones computer and only buy what you need.

Will service be offered with your purchase? If so, consider whether it is on-site or you have to ship the computer to be repaired. A desktop computer isn’t small, and it can cost an arm and a leg to get it into to the repair shop, so on-site is a better bet.

Don’t let all the negativity around the release of Windows 8 scare you away from Windows 8 systems. There are changes and fixes you can make to restore traditional functionality and appearance to the operating system. Simple searches online will quickly yield answers to most any question or problem you have.

• As you now know, desktop computers can be easy to work with
• . You just have to know a little bit of information before you start.
• Take the things that were gone over here into account the next time you think that you are going to be working with a desktop computer.