What to look for when buying a desktop PC

Computers have certainly come a long way since they first surfaced in the 1940s; originally they were the size of a room and consumed as much power as several hundred modern PCs. Computer technology is constantly evolving, however the principle components of a computer have always remained the same. Because these components never change it is more than useful to have an understanding of them, especially when you’re looking to buy a new desktop PC. Before making a purchase, you should gain a basic understanding of a computer’s inner-workings.

The processor (also known as CPU) is essential the brain of any computer, as a general rule of thumb the faster the processor is the faster the computer will perform. When considering this factor it is tempting to buy something with a large processor, however, depending on what you’re going to use your computer for, this could be a less cost effective choice. For instance, if a computer is just going to be used for word processing, a faster processor isn’t really necessary, whereas if you wanted to use it for editing videos it could come in handy.

Memory, also known as Random Access Memory or RAM for short, is one of the most vital parts of a computer – it takes data from the hard drive and stores it prior to the CPU using it. Generally, the more RAM you have the smoother your computer will run. To ensure that the operating system and all the programs run smoothly it is advised to have a minimum of 2GB (gigabyte).

The hard drive is the heart of the computer; it stores the operating system, the programs and the individual files and folders. There are two factors that define a hard drive – capacity and speed. Because of this it is a good idea to buy a hard drive with a minimum of 7200rpm (revolutions per minute). Capacities for hard drives vary quite widely from basic drives offering 500GB to ones that can hold 2TB (terabytes).

When buying a desktop pc you may have to buy the monitor separately. Screen size and connectivity are the two key factors to consider. At the bottom of the market there are 17-20 inch LCD monitors costing between £80 and £120, excluding VAT, however if you’re looking to use your computer for graphics, video or even music, a bigger screen is definitely useful. It is also a good idea to get a monitor and computer that support HDMI (High Definition Media Interface); this will provide a much sharper and faster resolution, which is ideal for anyone how will be working with video.