Desktop Buying Guide

So many choices and features to choose from, what is the best for you? Buying a desktop computer is highly dependent on the following 2 questions.
1. What is the purpose/usage of the PC?
2. What is your budget?

After answering those questions, type of computer/desktop is next. Below are the different types of Desktop computers with its advantages and disadvantages.

Compact PCs
This is the smallest form factor in desktop family.










Advantages:
1. Energy-efficiency
2. Quite operation
3. Space saving package
Disadvantages:
1. Limited computing power
2. Limited graphical feature. It’s highly dependent on its integrated GPU. Anything more complicated that flash game will be unplayable.
3. Limited connectivity option

All-in-One Desktops
This is new to entry in Desktop family. This type of PC is self-contained that all of its components are mounted behind its display.












Advantages:
1. Energy-efficiency
2. Quite operation
3. Space saving package
4. Touchscreen with multitouch gestures worked into Windows 7
5. Wireless mouse and keyboard
6. WiFi support
7. Out of the box plug and play setup
8. Big display
Disadvantages:
1. Expensive
2. May be harder to troubleshoot like laptop

Budget PCs
Use standard desktop components with minimum requirements.
Advantages:
1. Inexpensive
2. Good space for expandability
Disadvantages:
1. Being a budget PC it offers less computing power.
2. Low graphics support.

Mainstream PCs
Its like a budget PCs having more features and computing power.
Advantages:
1. More computing power than budget PC
2. Good for everyday ordinary game and office applications
Disadvantages:
1. More expensive than budget PC.











Performance PCs
Getting the highest end of the spectrum.
Advantages:
1. Best in performance
2. Equipped for demanding computing.
Disadvantages:
1. Expensive

Resources:
Windows Driver

Motherboard Replacement for Intel E2200

On my previous post Is My Motherboard Dead? My 3rd computer is motherboard is dead. My board was MSI P6NGM with Intel E2200 processor. I was very lucky that only motherboard is broken, other parts are working and in good shape.

So last Monday I visited my favorite computer store to check a replacement for it. Processor is the main consideration for motherboard selection, was happy that my Intel E2200 has found its new home with MSI G31TM-P31
Below are the specs.:

• Intel® G31 Chipset
- Supports FSB 800/1066/1333/1600* (OC) MHz.
- Supports dual channel, DDR2 667/800.

• Intel® ICH7 Chipset
- Hi-Speed USB (USB2.0) controller, 480Mb/sec, up to 8 ports.
- 4 SATA ports with transfer rate up to 3Gb/s.
- PCI Master v2.3, I/O APIC.

Main Memory
• Supports two unbuffered DIMM of 1.8 Volt DDR2 SDRAM
• Supports up to 8GB memory size.
• Supports dual channel DDR2 memory architecture.
• Supports DDR2 667/800 memory interface.
• Due to the limitation of G31 chipsets, dual channel support must meet some requirement in the specification of memory modules. please refer to Test Reports for detailed description.

On-Board IDE/SATA
• One Ultra DMA 66/100 IDE controller integrated in ICH7
- Supports PIO, Bus Master operation modes.
- Can connect up to two Ultra ATA drives.

• SATA controller integrated in ICH7
- Up to 3Gb/s transfer speed.
- Supports four SATA ports.

Audio
• Chip integrated by Realtek® ALC888S
- Flexible 7.1-channel audio with retasking
- Compliant with Azalia 1.0 Spec
- Meet Microsoft Vista Premium SPEC

• To reach the 8-channel sound effect, the 7th and 8th channels must be output from front panel if you purchase the mainboard with 3 audio jacks.

On-Board Pinheaders/ Connectors
- ATX 24-pin power connector
- ATX 4-pin 12V CPU power connector
- CPU / System x 2 FAN connectors
- CD-in connector
- Front panel audio connector
- Front panel connector
- Chassis intrusion switch connector
- 2 x USB 2.0 connector support additional 4 ports
- 1 x Floppy disk drive connector
- 4 x Serial ATA II connectors
- 1 x ATA133 IDE connector
- Clear CMOS jumper
- 1 x Serial port connector
- 1 x SPDIF-out header
- 1 x Parellel port connector

After installing my new motherboard and made sure that everything is OK I then booted the computer and was expecting a BSOD as it is a different chipset but to my surprise I got into the desktop with any issue. I just had to install Windows XP Drivers that comes with it. So my computer was back into business in just 20 minutes!

Desktop PC Buying Guide: The Specs Explained

Once you've determined the type of desktop system you want--a compact PC, a budget system, a mainstream all-purpose model, or a performance crackerjack--you need to know what components to look for. The processor and graphics chip you choose will determine many of your machine's capabilities, as will the system's memory and hard drive. Understanding those components will help you get the performance you need, without paying for things you don't. (Our buying guide includes further shopping tips for purchasing a desktop PC.)

You'll also want to consider details like the layout of the case, which can also make the difference between a pleasant workstation and a nightmare PC.

Windows Driver is not much of a problem for these new computers, they are well supported I presume.

Read full guide >> PCWorld