Magoo's Wise Words
Guide to Buying a Computer

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Odds and ends

Usually, if you have everything I have talked about so far, you will have what you need to make a complete computer. Sometimes, you will need to buy a few extra things like a cable you are missing or an extra fan. I usually replace my fans with upgraded, quieter ones.

Most retail box CPU's will come with a CPU cooler, but you may want to upgrade it. If the CPU overheats, the computer crashes. A CPU will last nearly twice as long if you keep it just 10*C cooler, so it is a reasonable investment. Also, some people like to put lights or windows in their case to make it showy.

Monitor

There are two basic kinds of monitors, flat panel and traditional CRT. Flat panel monitors have very sharp, crisp, colors. They also take very up very little room on your desk. Unfortunately, they are 2-3 times more expensive than a CRT of the same size and quality.

Flat panels also don't last as long. Flat panel monitors sometimes get dead pixels after a few years, which means there will be black dots on your screen. Manufacturers have made large improvements in this area since flat panels came out, but they still don't beat the CRT's for longevity. CRT's will last forever. I have heard that the clean electricity produced by a UPS significantly extends the life of flat panel monitors.

Larger monitors allow you to display more information at once and make the information bigger. The bigger the better. I even use two monitors to get that much more screen area. Then again, bigger monitors take up more room and cost more. So, what we have is another situation where you need to find the size that fits your needs.

Mouse

The PC mouse has evolved quite a bit since it was introduced. Today, a basic mouse will have at least two buttons and scroll wheel. The mouse is the main way you interact with your computer, so I feel that it is important the get something beyond the basic mouse.

Optical mice use light to track movement instead of a rolling ball, making them more accurate and avoiding the annoying problem of a dirty roller inside the mouse. A laser mouse uses a much more powerful optical system for awesome accuracy. Extra buttons on the mouse can give you access to functions like a “back” and “forward” button while surfing the internet. You don't know what you are missing until you have tried it. Logitech mice seem to outperform and outlast Microsoft mice.

Keyboard

Still just a basic input device, the function of the keyboard has hardly changed since the type-writer. I find ergonomic keyboards to be more comfortable. It takes a few weeks to get used to, but is worth the effort. Some people like keyboards that have extra keys that give them access to multimedia functions or short-cuts, but I personally just need the basics.

Conclusion

We've covered a lot, but now you are armed with the basics you will need to make an informed decision. Much of your decision comes down to your personal needs and budget, but if you would like an example of a computer that has a lot of thought put into it, take a look at the Black Beast. The Black Beast is update regularly, so it usually has all the best stuff many technolusters dream of.

If you still have questions, try the Radified forums. I've found many helpful people and lurk there myself on occasion. Best of luck to you, and enjoy your new computer.

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