Desktop Computer Packages

I need tips on buying a desktop computer. do you know any?

i have a decent lappy, but I desperately need to replace my win98 computer. (I know I know). Some info I'd like is which key features to get, should i get a package with a monitor or separate. Where are the best deals? which brands are best? anything else you can think of..thanks!

Public Comments

1. well if you want a desktop then with the monitor or laptop then no go to frys eletc. on google ad look at the specials and look at the prices look for somthing like dual prcessors and a hard drive bigger than 100 gb and ram bigger than 1gb
2. monitor that come with most computers are horrible, so your better off buy one separately (though it will most likely cost more). Go here and anyone off the top rated as I already listed is of quality, just don't get hp or dell (yes im biased against them) http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2032280010%204022&bop=And&Order=RATING
3. i saw a great deal at tigerdirect. basically, you want a dual-core with at least 2gb ram and windows vista. this one has a 1.8 dual-core with 4gb ram and windows vista premium. for 450. you can build your own, but it is time consuming, besides, that's just for gaming. anyway, the link is bellow.
4. A lot of offers I've seen in the UK say stuff like your getting the monitor for £50 when you buy the PC. Obviously they're not selling the monitor at a loss, they're just overcharging for the PC if you don't get the monitor with it. Dell.com is usually reliable and good quality. Although better deals can be found elsewhere if your willing to look round. In terms of what you need inside of it, if your playing games then obviously you need a good graphics card. Gaming PC's can be expensive so instead it might be better to get a high specced PC with a rubbish graphics card and then buy your own graphics card to put in it (nvidia 9600s are very good value at the moment). In terms of processor, absolutely Intel Core 2 Duo. The quad core processors are usually overkill, unless you will be encoding video. For memory, if you will be getting Windows Vista people seem to agree that 2GB is just enough, but 4GB is ample. If XP then 2GB is definately all you will need. Although you really should go for Vista over XP.