New PC - do I want Windows 7 and what other specs?

[joanne]

My computer aged 4 from CentreCom has died. It had Windows XP as the operating system, so I have not been exposed to the nightmare stories I have read about Vista.
I need to buy a new computer in the next few weeks and apart from the specs I have been reading in the topic New PC... opinions please, I am not sure if I should buy one with Windows 7.
I will not be using it for gaming.
I mainly use the Microsoft programs, esp. Excel., but also Word, Publisher etc. and watch DVD's.
Also I use the internet a lot for research, banking, sharetrading, etc. so would like it to be powerful to have numerous websites open at the one time.
Also, I would like a DVD burner to backup my movies.
I can qualify for the ATO's investment allowance, ending on 31 December, so need to spend at least $1000.00, excluding a monitor, as the existing one is fine.

I have been reading about the choice between 32 bit & 64 bit, partitions & dual booting.
This is all over my head.
So would GTO-Pontiac's recommendation below (non-gaming) be the way to go?
But from my limited understanding of specs, there's no DVD burner!
Should I stick with Windows XP and upgrade to Windows 7 later or take the plunge now?

All rounder/ Mid-high gaming

Intel
CPU: Intel core i5 750 $258 MSY
Motherboard: Gigabyte EP55-UD3P $185 MSY
RAM: 4GB Kit (2GBx2) Patriot Signature $99 MSY
HDD: Seageat 500GB $102 MSY
VGA Game: Powercolor 1Gb 4890 $239 MSY
VGA Non-Game: 1GB Gainward GTS 250 $159 MSY
Optical: samsung $55 MSY
Case: Cooler Master CM690 No PSU $129 CPL
PSU: Cooler Master Extreme power+ 600w $90 MSY
Toatl: $1184 gaming
Toatl: $1077non-gameing

Any advice appreciated!

Thanks,
Joanne

[aussieboykie]

Joanne

You should definitely go Windows 7 and in GTO's parts list, the DVD burner is the $55 Samsung optical device. His recommendations are always excellent. You can (and probably should) get the system assembled and tested for you. MSY will do that for a reasonable charge. Not sure what is is these days but it is unlikely to be more that $100. Take them GTO's parts list and they will give you a quote.

Regards, AB

[anandasim]

My computer aged 4 from CentreCom has died. It had Windows XP as the operating system, so I have not been exposed to the nightmare stories I have read about Vista.
I need to buy a new computer in the next few weeks and apart from the specs I have been reading in the topic New PC... opinions please, I am not sure if I should buy one with Windows 7.

New PC, not old PC? Then Windows 7 always. You can't even get Windows XP easily now, it lacks software drivers for the latest hardware and you are not legally allowed to use your Windows XP oem licence for your dead PC on the new PC.

I can qualify for the ATO's investment allowance, ending on 31 December, so need to spend at least $1000.00, excluding a monitor, as the existing one is fine.

I've heard about that but have not found out details. Do you have any? The ATO website info maybe?

I have been reading about the choice between 32 bit & 64 bit, partitions & dual booting.

If you are using Microsoft Office and watching DVDs, take 32bit Windows 7. It is the most compatible. The 64 bit are for those tech jocks who want the most grunt and can prove to you they need 8Gb of RAM at the drop of a hat.

Dual Booting is not of interest if you want to simply use a normal machine and do conservative activities. For tech nerds or IT folk who have to run three versions of Office - 2003, 2007 and 2010 or want to trash their Windows at night but reboot and use their good Windows while they are testing this and fooling around, then Dual Booting is much recommended.

So would GTO-Pontiac's recommendation below (non-gaming) be the way to go?
But from my limited understanding of specs, there's no DVD burner!

To me DVD burners are like groceries, not vintage wine. As long as you get a standard well known brand for general use, they are fine. They were even as cheap as $30 but the factories got upset because they weren't making money so they artificially closed some factories so that they could raise the price (hearsay).

[joanne]

Thank you AB and Anandasim for your advice.
I could not survive on computers without Bleeding Edge and the generous contributors.

Ok, I'll go for Windows 7 and will definitely get the computer assembled using GTO's specs.

Now, Anandasim, hopefully I can pass on some advice to you.
The 'Investment Allowance' is an incentive by the Australian Government for small businesses (turnover < 2mill/year) to spend money by 31 December 2009.
More detailed information can be found at:
http://www.ato.gov.au/taxprofessionals/ ... 175431.htm

If the link doesn't work, go to the ATO website http://www.ato.gov.au and in the search section type in 'Investment Allowance'. Hope it is of benefit!

Thanks again for the computer advice.
Joanne

[RDee]

joanne,

Here is something very similar to GTO's recommendation that has Windows 7 included in the price.
http://www.nstep.com.au/product_info.ph ... ts_id=1135
Presumeably parts installation and Windows install are included in the price.
Thought I'd mention this because it's closer to where you live.
I've never dealt with Nextstep so cannot comment on whether they are good to deal with or not.

RDee

[anandasim]

Now, Anandasim, hopefully I can pass on some advice to you.
The 'Investment Allowance' is an incentive by the Australian Government for small businesses (turnover < 2mill/year) to spend money by 31 December 2009.
More detailed information can be found at:
http://www.ato.gov.au/taxprofessionals/ ... 175431.htm

Thanks Joanne. Much appreciated. Will have a good read and followup.

[gto-pontiac]

xmas edition of my recommendation is up!! not much have changed since the last one though.

[joanne]

Thanks GTO-Pontiac, your update is very timely for my purchase.
Your latest recommendation for All Rounder/Intel/non-gameing is $161.00 cheaper than the previous one.
Is that correct that the HDD: Seageat 500GB was $102 and is now $64 from MSY.
That's a huge drop! Not complaining though!
Thanks for taking the time to update your recommedations on a regular basis.
It really helps people like me who know very little about the choices to make.
Kind regards,
Joanne

[joanne]

joanne,

Here is something very similar to GTO's recommendation that has Windows 7 included in the price.
http://www.nstep.com.au/product_info.ph ... ts_id=1135
Presumeably parts installation and Windows install are included in the price.
Thought I'd mention this because it's closer to where you live.
I've never dealt with Nextstep so cannot comment on whether they are good to deal with or not.

RDee

Thanks for your input RDee. I will definitely consider this option in my decision making.
Joanne

[joanne]

I asked MSY to quote on GTO-Pontiac's (mid-range non-gaming Intel) recommendations, but there are a few things out of stock, so just wanted to check if the replacements are OK:

CPU: Intel core i5 750 OK

Motherboard: Gigabyte EP55-UD3P Out of stock replace with:
+Gigabyte P55A-UD3P P55 1156pin USB3 DDR3 Motherboard

RAM: 4GB Kit (2GBx2) Patriot Signature Out of stock replace with:
/s2/ Patriot Gaming PGS34G1600ELKA 4GB Kit DDR3 1600 ( 1 $145.00 $145.00 10.00
For Intel 775pin, AM3)

HDD: Seageat 500GB OK
VGA : 1GB Gainward GTS 250 OK
Optical: samsung OK

Case: Cooler Master CM690 No PSU Out of stock replace with:
/s1/ Coolermaster RC-690 with PSU

PSU: Cooler Master Extreme power+ 600w OK

Are these substitutes OK?
I would rather increase quality/speed etc. than decrease.

Thanks
Joanne

[gto-pontiac]

Gigabyte P55A-UD3P P55 1156pin USB3 DDR3 Motherboard

Nothing wrong with this at all, i didn't even know that had this.

Patriot Gaming PGS34G1600ELKA 4GB Kit DDR3 160

get the 4G DDR3 1600 G.Skill-NQ same price.

Coolermaster RC-690 with PSU

the problem with this is that it come with 400W PSU that you don't need. but keep it as a back up PSU.

[joanne]

Thanks again GTO-Pontiac for your advice.
The Patriot Gaming PGS34G1600ELKA 4GB Kit DDR3 160 is now available, so back to having that.
I have placed an order for pick up next week with the substitute motherboard & case.
Couldn't have done it without you - it's all a foreign language to me!
Kind regards
Joanne

[joanne]

Re: Case
Just looking at the specs for the Case (RC-690).
The USB ports are directly square in the middle on the top of the case.
My existing case is 430mm high, the RC-690 is 482mm high
The space I have to fit it into has an opening 530mm high.
As it's going to be a bit squishy getting the USB leads in and out on the top of the case, I was considering swapping to the RC-600 (Gladiator) with a height of 440mm and the USB ports centred in the front.
Any reason, not to go with the RC-600?
Thanks,
Joanne

[joanne]

One final question (I promise)!
Do I still need the (separate) PSU: Cooler Master Extreme power+ 600w
if the RC600 comes with 500w PSU?
Thanks,
Joanne

[gto-pontiac]

with the case its up to the person's choice. as long as the parts you buy fit inside the case, i chose the RC-690 because of the functionality and the airflow inside the case. RC-600 seems to be OK, and all the parts you are going to buy will fit inside.

with PSU, 500w should be OK, it depends on what model it come with the case. i'm running 500w with my system witch use bit more power than what you are getting, but its maxing and runs unstable. or though i do have 5 HDDs and hotter CPU, so it uses more.
if you can get the 600w its better PSU and runs more efficient than the ones that come with the case.(lowers power bill well not much but something). and keep the 500w as a back up.
i'll have a look on the web to see what PSU come with the case.

EDIT--
ask away on the questions, keep them coming.

[gto-pontiac]

OK it seems it come with eXtream power 500W PSU, so the quality wise its OK, they run well. and they should be OK to run your speck, so its up to you if you want to get 600w PSU just incase.

[joanne]

I have decided to get the 600W PSU as well.
Thanks again for all your advice GTO-Pontiac.
Regards
Joanne

[joanne]

Update on the new computer:
Picked it up Wednesday, set it up that night. Everything OK!
Thursday night tried to download Adobe and couldn't; it made the computer hang!
Friday morning - on startup nothing showing on monitor, could hear windows starting up but couldn't see anything! Monitor fine with old computer, but not new one.
It's now back at MSY overnight; they could start-up and their monitor OK, but when I mentioned Adobe problem, they couldn't get any connection to internet.
Oh the joys of computers!!!

[gto-pontiac]

did you get BIOS screen at home? i had more or less same issue with computer not booting with new Motherboard, took it MSY they plug they cpu ram and HDD, PSU and monitor and works, took it back home set it up again then works.... yes joy of computers.
Nice computer though have fun over the xmas and new year holidays.

[anandasim]

Just a note. If you are using Windows 7, you have two gadgets which help discuss and record problems.

Windows 7 has the Screen Snipping Tool. Type
Snip
in the Start menu and you will see a shortlist in the Start menu. Pin it to the start menu or the Taskbar by right clicking for future use. Whenever you have some screenshot to save and show to people by sending email etc... this is a good tool.

Windows 7 also has the Problem Steps Recorder. Again when you type
Snip
in the Start menu it will be on your shortlist. Run it
Click on Start Record (red button) and it will record your activity.
Do your thing and then click "Stop Recording".
It will ask to save a .zip file where you want.

That zip file contains a .mht file that IE knows how to open. That .mht file contains screenshots and text log of what you did.

You can send this zip file to people to discuss or display the .mht file to people.

[joanne]

If you are using Windows 7, you have two gadgets which help discuss and record problems.

Yes it is Windows 7. If I can't see anything on the monitor, how would I do this?

did you get BIOS screen at home?

1st day yes, 2nd day nothing at all on monitor, but you could hear Windows starting up.
Spoke to MSY today.
With the monitor issue - they don't have a problem at all with it working on their monitor.
With the internet issue - they still can't connect at all to internet.
They tried replacing motherboard, made no difference, but they now think it's a software issue.
It won't be fixed today, so will know more on Monday.

[gto-pontiac]

With the monitor issue - they don't have a problem at all with it working on their monitor.
With the internet issue - they still can't connect at all to internet.
They tried replacing motherboard, made no difference, but they now think it's a software issue.
It won't be fixed today, so will know more on Monday.

make sure that MSY is testing the monitor with DVI not VGA, when i whent in they tested with VGA.

internet issue well i think its a windows7 thing.

[joanne]

make sure that MSY is testing the monitor with DVI not VGA, when i whent in they tested with VGA.

OK thanks, will do!

internet issue well i think its a windows7 thing.

So will this be hard to resolve? How stable is Windows 7?
My XP Licence is not OEM, so should I revert to Windows XP instead of Windows 7?

[gto-pontiac]

So will this be hard to resolve? How stable is Windows 7?
My XP Licence is not OEM, so should I revert to Windows XP instead of Windows 7?

i've been running win7 in 2 computers for past few month and had no problem at all,, its stable and i had no issue.

[anandasim]

Yes it is Windows 7. If I can't see anything on the monitor, how would I do this?

If you can't see Windows 7, you have really fundamental problems. The monitor MUST WORK. This sounds like a hardware issue.

I have been using Windows 7 RC / beta for months now on several machines and Windows 7 production now for a couple of months. Never had "cannot see monitor" issues.

By the way, I have been working just today installing Windows 7 on the new family PC, starting from scratch. There are some niggles to iron out but I can see the screen.

did you get BIOS screen at home?

To identify whether it is a hardware issue, when you switch on the PC it should have a brief logo and/or white text on black background. This is completely due to hardware working properly because Windows has not started yet. This occurs in the first 5 seconds.

1st day yes, 2nd day nothing at all on monitor, but you could hear Windows starting up.

If it showed on first day, then things were working. If it stopped working on second day, some wiring has come loose.

Spoke to MSY today.
With the monitor issue - they don't have a problem at all with it working on their monitor.

Then it is a wire issue or it is your monitor.

With the internet issue - they still can't connect at all to internet.

When we have a Windows that has got progressively dirty over months or years, we think about repairing the software. If your machine is brand new, it has not got dirty with other software so should work instantly. Windows any version usually recognises the network card or you need to install the network card drivers. For my family PC, the motherboard is the new one - inexpensive Gigabyte motherboard. I will progress setting it up in the morning but do not expect Windows 7 to have trouble using it.

They tried replacing motherboard, made no difference, but they now think it's a software issue.
It won't be fixed today, so will know more on Monday.

Have you or MSY installed additional software in addition to Windows 7? With Vista and Windows 7, I am reluctant to install anti-virus or software firewalls until I am sure the system is tested and reliable in all aspects. Then we know it is not a software problem.

[joanne]

Then it is a wire issue or it is your monitor.

After new computer wouldn't view on existing monitor, setup old computer with same monitor and monitor was fine. I am using it now to respond here (with old computer).

Have you or MSY installed additional software in addition to Windows 7?

1st night I installed Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007 and that night it worked fine using Outlook, Excel, & Word.
I didn't install any anti-virus software, but relied on Windows 7 anti-virus.

Thank you all for trying to help me.
I hope I am not sounding too 'short' with my responses to your 'quotes', I am not meaning to.
I just want to clarify the situation whenever I can.
Joanne

[anandasim]

Hi joanne,

Not to worry about your tone or brevity. Sometimes we just want to get on with resolving the issue.

After new computer wouldn't view on existing monitor, setup old computer with same monitor and monitor was fine. I am using it now to respond here (with old computer).

Ok. but you are saying that the new computer, when taken back to MSY, displays on their monitor. That is due to wire, plugging in securely and we assume they are plugging using the same connection point. Nowadays, there are two connection points either the blue VGA D shaped connector or the white DVI connector. If MSY can display on their monitor, this is may/should be a low tech issue with your monitor, connection or cabling - if your monitor is proven to be healthy, then it is a connection or cabling problem. If it were my system I would really double check wires, those thin copper pins in the connectors. Also there should be no wobble in connections or the video card seating.

1st night I installed Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007 and that night it worked fine using Outlook, Excel, & Word.
I didn't install any anti-virus software, but relied on Windows 7 anti-virus.

Ok incidentally, Windows 7 has no anti-virus - the only built-in weapon is Microsoft Defender anti-malware or scanner for malware. For viruses, free options are Microsoft Security Essentials or Avast.

So, you installed Microsoft Office - was the internet working before you installed and the internet stopped working after installing Office? Or was the internet always not working anyway.

It is curious that brand new Windows is not connecting to the internet.

I am taking my time with my family pc replacement - installed Windows 7 and other stuff. I had dead power unit (low tech problem), got that replaced. some odd low tech connection problem with an old hard disk tray connection and a flaky dvd burner (also low tech problem - it was not a good one). But once I got a new cheap power unit, the fans start spinning, the screen displays text and it was easy to install Windows on an old clean hard disk. I plugged in the network cable, and the green light comes one where I plugged it, and I have connectivity to the network. My issues are from being sparing with cash, recycling of old parts, not from the new hardware or Windows.

Tell us what transpires....

[joanne]

OK, the latest update: I'm typing this via the new computer.
MSY said the motherboard was replaced; a novice like me would never know otherwise!
Initially they had trouble connecting to the internet but blamed a faulty cable in their shop.
Am I being too pessimistic, but I can't help but remember most things were OK on the first night of new computer last week, all except 'hanging' when trying to download Adobe.
Anyway, MSY installed Adobe reader 9 for me and (fingers crossed) everything now appears to be working as it should.
Thank you again for all your suggestions.
Joanne