MHZ V MBs

This interests me, you oftenly hear people say "Wow man, my computers 3' Ghz" I am assuming this refers to processor speed?
If an average home user wants to build their own system with a set budget, to use for surfing the net, using office programmes, playing the odd game, etc, would it be advisable to buy for less money, a slightly slower mother board, and processor, and invest more money in memory, to have a fast machine for these things?

Jim,

Yes, when someone says 3 ghz...it refers to the processor speed.

It's kind of a balancing act you need to consider. A needs vs. wants vs. budget kind of deal...

If you buy a processor that is too slow, it will bottleneck the system up...it won't take advantage of some of the memory or graphics cards capability...

It's like a system I'm quoting for a friend now...she only has a certain budget to work in...around 300 dollars. She does basically what you do more or less. Surfing, chatting, some office suite software, and an occasional game...

So, I kind of l have to weigh what her needs are against realistic observations...

Instead of a 3 gig processor...I go with a CPU-motherboard combo that is 1.7 gig. Lower priced....still suits her needs, still pretty fast compared to what she has now. It fullfills all her requirements...

With memory...you have to consider the programs. The Operating System....the applications you'll use. By putting 128 meg of memory in...something like Windows XP and Office XP will be VERY sluggish...very slow and will bottlneck her system. I would suggest as a base...256 meg of memory. That should be sufficient for what you're doing...

Graphics card...if you're not going to be playing the top games, the newest games, the most complex games...then you don't need 128 or 256 meg graphics card. A 32 or 64 meg card will do just fine...and you can get those pretty cheap. It should cover the bases...runs most games reasonably well...and it won't draw off your memory like onboard video would...

With the sound card...look into what motherboard you're buying....see what the reviews say about the onboard audio. It might be sufficient...

I'm kind of going into a more detailed look than what you asked, but...it's just to kind of give you a baseline. And it leads up to what I'm saying...*LOL*

The system I have for her....is around 350 dollars. (I'm not trying to make a profit off of this.) Now, let's say your budget is 400. If you got that cup and motherboard and let's say...with the extra 50 and maybe a few bucks more...you could get another 128 or 256 meg stick of memory? I would do it....

You would probably see a tremendous jump in performance, in load times...

So, yes....I would do just what you asked. But, only a certain extent...if you go down too far in one area, you won't get full potential from your system.

If you're going to do your own system...I can't stress enough, do alot of research...make sure your components are compatible, make sure you're ordering good quality parts and reputable parts. Sure, you can save a few bucks by ordering a no name motherboard...but, the performance may hinder you...you know?

I hope that answers your question...

If you have any any more questions, please feel free to ask.

~Dan

Thanks Dan,

I asked this because a friend of mine, has built a system similar to the one you were talking about, and I think (think) they put 516mb of memory into it, and it seems to be incredibly fast, for just doing everyday things. I hadn't actually consider graphics cards, so thanks for pointing that out.

No problem, Jim...

Anytime! *smiles*

Yeah, I would always suggest going with a video card, especially if there is a chance you'll be playing a game. Games run HORRIBLE on onboard video...

Places like Dell sell these huge things like 2.4 ghz...but, for some things, you don't need that much...depending upon your needs. And...by building a system or having someone build it for you (in the case of my friend and me being her a system) you can save money...OR...you channel the money into something else.

~Dan

Thanks Dan, I'll bear all these things in mind.