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Hey Stray,
OK, with computer's like anything it pay's to get the best spec you can afford.
Processors:
Make does'nt really matter any more. I used to be a PENTIUM addict, though I'm now running an AMD Celeron I think. Do your research, do some surfing and compare chip's that's what I did. For what I do, the Celeron is fine, 800meg I think
RAM:
Again as much as you get get, I run 128meg, that's probably standard now, RAM is cheap. When you load your PC, everything you use, uses memory or resources. Running stuff minimised, background programs, AV stuf, word, office internet, different types of program use or allocate different ammounts of memory.
So just banging in 256meg, and loading yourPC up to the hilt (and with the wrong programs) is not going to have any more advantage over have 128meg, with just ACAD running.
As a clue just click on Control Panel and system's should tell you how much resources you have left, ideal is 100% as in 100% memory free to use(though impossible) 50% means you've got a **** load of stuff running.
Video RAM:
As much as you can get, get the latest card/drivers. Again can't remember what I got, but makes a hell of a lot of difference. Make sure you get a "seperate" video card which uses it's own on-board memory, some card's cheat by using your PC's on-board RAM. ESPECIALLY WITH ACAD programs
OS's:
different OS's and OS combination with various programs use different amounts of memory. Windows 3.11 as compared to Windows 95 id less memory intensive, go up to XP/ME, you will need to have at least the minimum standard cpu/ram otherwise it wont even install. I use 98, though prefer 95, cept my new video card won't run with anything less than 98.
Makes:
This is down to ppl's own opionions. A named make will have the backup from the company ie DELL, IBM, any bug fixes usually free and updates easily available. Unknown or made up PC's have a lot going for them, made to your spec, though you could run into aftermaarket sales problems. Mine is made up by a large company, made to my spec but with 3 yrs on site 5 years totall off site w/tee
Anything else s[ecific mail me at work or post here
good luck
ohh and in 6 months, your new PC will be out of date !
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