Specifications for a home PC
April 2002
Friends frequently ask me "how do I buy a home PC",
"is the specs ok", and "is the price ok".
Here is my answer:
CPU and Motherboard
First item to decide on is the processor and motherboard. These
components must match with each other. Choose Intel for your
processor. For motherboards, ASUS and MSI are high end brands, while
Tomato, PC Partner, and Jetway are economical in price.
Next consider whether the motherboard is AT or ATX. If AT, you
would need an AT type computer case, if ATX, an ATX case. Power
supply should at least be 200watts.
Main Memory
Try to buy at least 128MB of main memory. Note that some memory have
specs of PC 133. This means that it will work with a motherboard
that has a bus speed of 133MHz.
Hard Disk
Go for at least 20GB hard disk. Note that a 7200rpm hard disk is
typically 15% faster than a 5400rpm disk.
Modems
For modems, get an external model. Internal models will take up your
CPU's processing power, slowing down your computer.
Other Items
Make sure you buy a standard size keyboard (some sell the mini type,
too small for my fingers). Buy a mouse with a scroll button. Get a
60x CD-ROM drive. Speakers and sound card if you like music. An AGP
graphics card if you play computer games.
Price
Nothing more than P 25,000. Anything more will give diminishing
returns on you peso.
That's it.
Joel Mangilit is an IT professor at the Graduate School of
Business of De La Salle University (Manila, Philippines) and is CEO
of www.webphil.com.
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