New PC

[Gadget]

But Pentium III and 256 Ram is a bit dark ages isn't it?

Gadget

[ricky1]

Hi Downside
I have to agree withyou, processor speed and memory has nothing to do with sending or recieving e-mails. I was running a pentium two till May last year, and had no problems with e-mails sending or recieving. All depends on on your internet connection, wether broadband or dial up.

ricky

[Gadget]

If it's only e-mails then no prob but you try editing huge graphics files with 256 Ram 
For example, when I was doing the collage for my latest avatar - it's not reallythat size ya know 

Gadget

[ricky1]

Hi Gadget
I agree with that, but the statement from an earlier reply said that his e-mails must come by horse and cart, which has nothing to do with processor speed or memory. In fact the comp I use was built by a local company to the spec that I wanted, plus some input from the company that built it. I found it cheaper that way than buying of the shelf, being told that a computer can do this and that, and it can be upgraded . I got caught out a few years ago by spending £1700 on a comp, and being told that it could be upgraded when ever I wanted, only to find out about a year later that it would have to have a new mother board and higher spec processor for it to be upgraded . Top it all the company that sold it went bust the following year, and speaking to the makers of the one I had they even said that it could not be upgraded without new board etc. All boils down to what you want your computer to do.

ricky

[Arquebus]

When I was talking about emails by horse and cart I was purely being sarcastic.....it seemed at the time to be a suitable analagy bearing in mind Downside (with the greatest respect) hasn't tried to load or save and close a large Graphics file at the same time as trying to 'Send/Receive' Outlook.

Gadget appears to appreciate this....Thanks.

Some of the images I get involved with can be huge because clients want high resolution images that can be plotted (not printed) at A1 and AO size.

One of these images involved so much work it's overall file size was 1G.....Downside's PC would have crept into a corner with it's hands over it's head if he had tried to load it (Smokin'!).....It wouldn't have even been able to page for more memory I guess, because when paging takes place it looks for 'spare' memory on all running processes....the trouble is it always looks at the biggest operation taking place as well as the small ones, therefore it is almost self defeating inasmuch it tries to page the program you want to run.

That's why I need lotsa memory and a dual core processer because I don't have the time to waste waiting for things to happen.

And Ricky, Yep, that's the risk everyone takes when buying a computer...because it goes right back to the start of my original post....How the hell is the general public supposed to know what Graphics Card to buy?

It it wasn't for the fact that I know a bit, I would have ended up buying a Socket 939 PC, which is virtually all you can get at the moment because every supplier, PC builder and retailer is using up their huge stocks of these to get rid of them before AM2 takes over. (Even Dell is offering AM2 now).

Its a bit like the 32 bit issue....they are trying to get rid of all these even though 64 bit has been available for some time.....and you wait for all the people with average laptops when they find they can't be upgraded to 64 bit....not worth it.

Still, I ain't arguing wiv no wun....all I wanted originally was helpful advice from people that understood the problem.

Al.

[downside]

Hi Gadget

70 million people are still using Windows 98, so I don't think I qualify for the Dark Ages.  Someone on this board recently asked about obtaining a 'new' printer for their Windows 95 system.

I don't do any processor and memory intense processing so I don't have any problems running my PC.  I don't play any graphics intensive games either.

My PC suits my needs.  I'm sure there are plenty of people out their that are still using comparatively 'old' equipment and having no problems.  Maybe we should start a poll - how old is your PC? 

downside

[Arquebus]

Hi Gadget

70 million people are still using Windows 98, so I don't think I qualify for the Dark Ages.  Someone on this board recently asked about obtaining a 'new' printer for their Windows 95 system.

I don't do any processor and memory intense processing so I don't have any problems running my PC.  I don't play any graphics intensive games either.

My PC suits my needs.  I'm sure there are plenty of people out their that are still using comparatively 'old' equipment and having no problems.  Maybe we should start a poll - how old is your PC? 

downside

So tell me please downside, why did you bother to get involved with this topic, when I made it quite obvious that I was using big files?

Al.

[ricky1]

Hi
I think it all boils down to what you want to do with the comp, and what use you put it to, so you get the spec that will best do the job. I personally think its best to get one built to your own spec, than one of those of the shelf. Having experinced problems with past comps that I have bought from retailer's, and when it go's wrong having to pay so much a minute to speak to a tech adviser. All I would have to do is go down the road to the person who built mine, but everyone to their own choosing.


ricky

[Arquebus]

Ricky, You are right......

I could probably build one myself (although I have much more satisfaction and success when dealing with things that run on petrol) providing I knew that the specification I thought I needed would do the trick.

And of course then you have to select the correct components to give you that spec, but this leads to questions immediately.....which manufacturer's components are compatible with the other manufacturer's components?

Mine is being built by 'specialists' as it seems that even the big boys can't get it right (one caught fire) and this probably my best option.......I certainly won't buy from off the major retailers shelves.

If I build it myself and it doesn't work, I could end up spending a fortune on trying to replace a faulty part or a non-compatible item.....so I'll let someone else take the risk and they can build it for me.

Al.