From: iain
Message:
TS
> Yeah, this is what I'm in the market for, a system that does all these
> things. I'm thinking dell or an evesham media center - any
> recommendations for the hardware?
Don't buy a ready-made PC as you will pay double the cost of the actual
hardware. If you ain't handy with PCs yourself get a mate who is to
build you one. I build PCs for mates for 20 quid - it takes 30 minutes
to build one from components and install XP.
Just remember your most important components are your gfx card and processor.
50 quid case - because of the top-end hardware it's worth spending a few
bob on a case with plenty of fans... also makes sure the fans are good
quality lo-noise ones if you leave your PC on 24/7 like I do. The case
I've got is also has translucent panels and blue neon tubing, the fans
(inc the processor fan) also have the blue neon piping. Supreme mod geekery.
I ain't ever that bothered about my mobo, but it's worth getting a
decent chaintech one if you've got the cash. Set you back about 100 notes.
Processor - it's personal preference when it comes to processors, Intel
have a slight performance edge over AMD at the mo, but you pay a bit
extra for it. Personally I run a 2.4 AMD XP and I ain't ever had any
probelms with it - been running it for about 2 years. You can pick up
that for about 60 quid now. Might be worth going for a 3gig processor if
you've got the cash and want the machine to last you a good half-decade anyway.
GFX card - Spend what you can afford. I've got a ATI radeon 9700 (the
two types of cards to go for are either ATI or nVidia, ATI have the edge
tho) which is one notch of the top available. You can pick up a 9600
which is two notches off the top for 100 quid these days and it will
allow you to run almost everything at full whack for a good year anyway.
Memory - get at least 512megs these days. A gig if you've got a few
extra tenners. Also make sure the memory speed works on your mobo -
advise buying mobo, processor, and memory at same time from same shop
and getting advice when doing so.
All your other guff is up to you. I've got a 30 quid MS ergonomic
keyboard which IMO is one of the best purchases you can make if you do a
lot of typing. I've also got a really nice mini optical mouse. My
monitor is a Packard Bell ex-stock 15" that I picked up for 30 quid from
the local 'stack-em-high and sell-em-low' place. Harddrive wise you can
pick up a 60 gig for about 40 quid these days. Make sure you get a
Seagate Barracuda if noise is an issue. I've got a DVD burner that I
picked up for 80 quid, you can get a CD burner for 30 quid these days.
As far as software goes almost everything can be sourced from mates and
the net. Only spend cash on system stuff and stuff that you really use a
lot - I bought antivirus software, FL Studio, and the stardock.com OS
configuration suite. This is software for windows that allow complete
configuration of your GUI - see here - http://www.onlinegamers.org.uk/gallery/Desktops/desktopnew
That's my current desktop. Note the items on the right hand side
-they're actually built into the desktop - the embedded media player is
ace. Also got all my windows and stuff animated so they do different
things on opening/closing and minimimizing/maximising.
> Unrelatedly, I'm planning to go see my brother in Tokyo in a month or so
> - anyone got any should-know advice about flights, accom, things to do
> and see?
Go down to the electronic village and pick up all the above for next to
nothing :)
Also if your into themeparks go to the one at the base of Mt Fuji.
iain
