Computer Specs

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If you have never bought a computer before you may be wondering what all this CPU, RAM, ROM, 24X, 128MB, etc. jargon is about.  Fear not, these letters and numbers all add up.

As a general rule of thumb, the higher the numbers, the better the quality. If there are any specific programs that you know you want to run, such as a digital imaging or gaming programs, you will want to verify that the system you want to buy meets those requirements.

Processor Speed

  • This is the measure of how quickly the CPU (central processing unit, aka the microprocessor) runs; sometimes referred to as clock speed.
  • Measured in Gigahertz (GHz). A decent desktop will start at around 2.0GHz, but at least make sure to get something with a minimum of 1.5GHz.
  • The CPU is like the brain of the computer. If you want the machine to think quickly, you need to have a fast processor or clock speed.
  • The speed of the CPU is how fast the CPU can access and process information, which translates to how fast you can work on your computer.

Processor Make and Model

  • If you have shopped around at all for a computer you will have seen things such as this: Intel Pentium M,  Celeron D,  Athlon  or Duron.  Certain makes are designed to be faster than others, but don't worry about their names, just go for the highest speed processor.
  • There are significant differences between the two major manufacturers, Intel and AMD. Visit CNet to read about the "prizefight" between Intel and AMD.

RAM

  • RAM (Random Access Memory), sometimes just called memory, works hand-in-hand with the CPU to manage all your open programs and improve the speed at which each process can run.
  • It allows multiple applications to function simultaneously without slowing down the computer's speed.
  • RAM is usually measured in megabytes (MB) but now gigabytes (GB) are appearing on the market.
  • Even the most basic computers will come with at least 256 MB of RAM. Most users will want at least 512MB, while gamers and people who do graphic-intensive work (photo editing, etc.) will want at least 1024MB (1 GB).
  • Top-of-the-line computers now have 2 to 4 GB of RAM.

Hard Drive

  • The hard drive storage capacity of the computer. It is now measured in gigabytes (GB), although terrabyte (TB, equal to 1000 GB) external drives are just starting to become widely available. Half-TB (500 GB) external drives are common.
  • Today's minimum requirement is least 60 GB for average users who want to store music or photos on their computers. Of course you can go as high as you want if you are willing to spend the money on large drives or multiple drives.
  • Large drives are good if you plan to store your DVD and music collections on a computer and use it as a media center.

CD/DVD Drives

  • CD/DVD drives  have pretty much replaced floppy drives for data transfer, plus they are essential to burning CDs and watching DVDs.
  • If you plan to burn anything, check for an integrated DVD/CD-R/CD-RW drive.
  • Some offer CD burners only (CD-Recordable or CD-ReWriteable), and others offer both a CD-RW plus the ability to watch DVDs.
  • If you opt for a budget model, you may eventually want to invest in an external CD-ROM drive.  Just make sure to check the drive speed and the transfer rate. Examples of this are 8x, 24x, 32x, etc., again the higher the number the better.
  • If you are getting a tower, consider getting a second CD-RW drive -- this will allow you to directly copy CDs from one drive to the other, frequently in only a minute or two.

Sound Card

  • If you are interested in watching DVDs or playing games with surround sound, or even getting a rich audio experience from CDs and MP3s, you will want a sound card that is up to snuff. However, sound cards are fairly easy to upgrade.
  • Remember that a sound card is only as good as the speakers.

Graphics Card

  • Important if you are planning to game a lot or do graphics work on your computer. Many high-end models offer decent graphics cards, such as the ATI Radeon or the Nvidia GeForce models.
  • Higher processor speeds are needed, as is more memory.
  • Always check for system requirements and compatibility between programs/games that you plan to use before buying a computer.

Software

  • When you look at a particular model and make of computer it is not always clear what Software packages will come included with the price. When in doubt, ask.
  • Most often software bundles come at an extra cost, such as those for managing finances, editing images and even doing word processing.
    • Also, there are many products that manufacturers will say come included, however, they are often only trial editions.