Purchasing a new desktop PC, especially in Richmond is no small task – it’s not quite like doing your grocery shopping. It’s a big deal and something you should take seriously because the last thing you want to do is set it up, get everything just the way you want it, move any data from a previous computer over..and then find out you don’t like it.

It Is All About Speed and Data Usage

When looking for a new PC, you should keep in mind that there are many things that influence a computer’s performance.  But whether you just use a PC for surfing around and finding those local Richmond eateries, or you need a machine that can handle your illustrating needs, the name of the game today is speed and efficiency. So, what you buy can have long-running implications with serious consequences to your experience and sanity.

Get The Most for Your Money

Most of us in the small to medium and emerging business know how much you have to squeeze out of every dollar. Unless your business in the top tier, selecting and purchasing a desktop is not a casual decision to make and you don’t just go to the nearest electronics store and buy the cutest one you can find. This is not something you want to take lightly! How something looks on your desk is not what should drive your decision. What it’s capable of doing, how expandable it is and how long will it be before it, like all other technology, becomes obsolete and needs to be traded up are the things you do want to think about.

The Things to Consider

There are many things to consider in choosing a desktop PC so let us share some of the factors you should consider before you plunk your credit card down. Here are our top ten.

What is the main use of your computer?

Our first move is always to define needs. What are your main uses? Spread-sheets, data accumulation and storage, graphics, design? Seek professional guidance to help you sort out all the options and which will perform best for you.

Think Beyond Today

Look down the road a little, or better yet, as far as you can. Unless all you need is internet access, don’t choose an entry-level desktop or cheap all-in-one. And even if internet access is all you need, that’s today, not what you will need tomorrow. A more powerful, more robust PC with a better processor won’t cost you much more and  will last longer and be less frustrating in two years time. In the end, we all end up trading up. Just look at your phone.

Can It Grow with You

In the world of low-end desktop PCs, it helps to have an open PCI-Express slot. This will allow you to add a graphics card later on, or other peripheral cards. But consider how much more spending a little more initially might gain you. Shop hard because prices are always in flux, and last years model may be perfect for you.

HOW MUCH MEMORY IS NEEDED?

These days you should look for a minimum of 8GB of RAM, however you don’t need to go too high unless you’re doing very intensive tasks such as video editing or 3D rendering. More is better, but unused RAM is wasted.

Higher Grade Processors Are Probably Less than You Think

Intel’s “Core i3” processors have an inticing price tag, but you will definitely feel the difference between it and even the lower spec Core i5 series, even when it comes to basic tasks like word processing and web browsing. Sometimes things are cheap for a reason.

Pretty May Not Be Enough

So many of us small business people don’t stop working when we come home. Just remember your computer will become a family member and it needs to be easy to live with. Shop with your ears as well as your eyes. Many processors have loud cooling fans that cycle on and off. Listen hard while you shopping and comparing, just like a pet, some units are nice and quiet and well-behaved, others are yappers.

A Space Saver May Not Be Best

Sure those all-in-ones will save you space and look appealing, but they are not so easy to add to. If you think of all that you routinely do on your computers today that you didn’t do even a little while ago, you will understand how much more reliant you will become and that means you will need to upgrade and or add-on. And probably a lot sooner than you think.

Are You in The Game?

If you’re a gamer in your downtime don’t think you have to invest in a multi-GPU SLI or setup. You can achieve that with a single, high-powered graphics card. Especially with newer technologies such as NVIDIA’s Deep Learning Super Sampling giving newer graphics cards a much longer life than they used to have. We don’t recommend buying too little but we also don’t encourage buying too much unless you need it.

Size Really Does Matter.

Cloud is king these days but a lot of us still store many files locally. How large are your archive of PDFs? How many MP3’s, videos and photos do you have? Once again, soon you will have more, it happens to all of us. So consider purchasing a large hard drive or multiple drives. Aim for a 500GB SSD for the main drive at a minimum and consider a second, larger mechanical drive for files that don’t need fast access, or an external hard drive.

Energy Efficiency Saves You Money

The more units you have the more of a factor this becomes. Just like with an AC unit or refrigerator, energy use is not only a planet saver but a money saver. Think efficiency and think economically.

Back up. Back up. Back Up

Sometimes it’s impossible to get things back that crash. Nothing can ruin your day or your business like lost data. Get an external hard drive and get used to using it. Even a big USB flash drive can be adequate in a pinch. Of course, if you want an easier way to backup your Desktop PC in Richmond purchase, you can add cloud functionality to your new PC, wether that’s Google Drive or a professional product like BackBlaze. And remember that unless it’s backed up in two different places, it’s not ‘properly’ backed up.

If you have any other questions be sure to give us a call. Any of our Little Computer People can help with computer buying needs.