A Practical Desktop Computer Buyer

The principles of buying desktop computers are not the same as they were several years ago, and this thanks to the ever-changing nature of the PC hardware industry.

Nevertheless, when you're looking to buy a new desktop PC system, you will still need to focus on the basic factors such as the processor, the RAM, and so on.
Processor When it comes to choosing a CPU or processor, it all comes down to choosing between an Intel and an AMD processor.

Answering the question Which processor is best? may be too straightforward, but everything will just fall into place once you have chosen between these two.
Now, if you prioritize performance and have the capacity to pay for it, then you should definitely go for an Intel processor.

There are several different Intel processor models to choose from, and while Intel can be a good choice in general, you still need to pick the one that would suit your needs and your budget best.

Meanwhile, you should go for AMD if you are after both efficiency and economy. Hard Drive In choosing a hard drive, it all boils down to speed and size.
The newest on the horizon is the SSD or the solid state drive, which works similarly with a flash drive, only multiple times faster.

Most hard drives today run at a 7300 RPM speed, although the Raptor by Western Digital runs extremely faster at a speed of 10,000 RPM.

Generally, the faster the hard drive, the noisier it becomes and the more heat it produces, but they do provide the best performances.
When it comes to storage space, a hard drive with 1 TB capacity is the standard for many PC systems these days.

RAM

Most desktop computers today are using DDR3 memory so all you really need to consider is the RAM capacity.

How large the capacity of your PCs RAM should be would depend on how youre going to use the computer in the first place.
Generally, a 4GB RAM should be the minimum in order for your system to run smoothly.
For long-term performance, however, and if you're considering to use your PC for heavy-duty activities such as gaming and editing videos, you should go for 8GB the minimum.

Since memory impacts the overall performance of your computer, you should always go for the highest capacity as much as possible.

Video Cards
If you're not into gaming and stuff, you can always go for any integrated graphics. If you are a heavy gamer, on the contrary, you should consider getting a dedicated graphics card.

Factors to consider in choosing a video card include the memory capacity, output connectors, supported Direct X version, and overall performance.

For gaming, the standard would be a Direct X 11 card with 1GB memory capacity or more.
Monitor The standard for most desktop computers today are LCD monitors so the real issue when picking a monitor for your PC is size.

Other factors you can consider include the color of the monitor and your budget. Larger monitors obviously cost more, but they do provide for better viewing.

Whether you're buying desktop computers online or from your local computer shop, these are the major factors you should always put into consideration to make sure you end up with a system that will perfectly meet your requirements.