What's available?

The more you have better it is. A lot of PCs still come with 128 MB RAM-we advise you to go for 256MB at very least. If you're a gamer or into heavy graphics, you'll need more than 256 MB. Nowadays, DDR RAM is available for faster output. How much do you need?

Video RAM---What is it?

This is a card that carries out processing for all that's related to display. You could have a fast processor, lots of ROM and hard disk that keeps pace with it all. But if display can't match all this-the speed at which things have got processed will take ages to show up on screen. The card has its RAM- called video RAM (VRAM).

What's available?

As we said earlier, some motherboards have this function inbuilt, but others need you to have a graphics card for this. You get a range of cards now.

How much do you need?

If you're into heavy gaming and graphics and CAD and 3D modeling, you need to have a card with at least 16 MB VRAM, 32MB if you can afford it. For other purpose, 16 MB VRAM is good enough.

All software comes on CDs. A lot of computers magazines that teach you how to use computers come with CDs. So a CD-ROM drive is a must. Now you have option of going for CD-RW drives or even DVD drives. And some vendors have check to see PCs without them.

Higher X ratings-such as 48X, 52X for a CD drive doesn't mean that drive will run at blazing speeds. In fact for routine things opening a CD tray, making a CD auto run-an 8X will do just fine. But if you were to rip songs from your audio CDs to convert them into MP3s you would need a faster drive.

A DVD drive is great if you are going to be watching a lot of movies on your PC- but make sure video card and sound card and speakers match up to it.

Go for a CD-RW drive if you are going to be burning a lot of CDs-keeping backups, making MP3 CDs, and so on.

The basic PC:

For running productivity applications: word processors, spreadsheet, presentations, Surfing. Using e-mail, using personal information mangers. Play music and videos, some light games and multimedia CDs

Specs:

•AMD XP 2200 or above/AMD K6 series or Duron 550 MHz or above •128 DDR MB RAM •15" color SVGA monitor •20-40GB ATA/66 hard disk with 7200 RPM •On board video abd sound •52x CD-drive •101-keys Keyboard •3-button mouse •56 kbps modem

The high-end PC -

For heavy gaming, graphics, multimedia creation, sound editing

Specs:

•Pentium IV 1700 MHz or higher clock/ AMD XP 2400+ and higherMHz or higher •256 MB DDR RAM •80 GB hard disk drive 7200 •video card with 64 MB VRAM •101-keys keyboard •on board sound (for those into sound editing and composing, a high-end sound card like Creative SoundBlaster Live is needed) •19" monitor(Flat Panel or LCD) •Optical Scroll mouse •56 Kbps modem

Sound card and Speakers:

The sound card processes sound that you hear on your PC. These days sounds cards not only make multimedia application sound great, they also let you compose record and edit your own music.

Monitor:

14" monitors are out. You can get in your some other type of monitor in 15", color monitor, 16 inches and 17 inches monitor are available in market.Nowadays LCD's and Flat Panel Displays ar ver common.

PORTS -

Ports are where you plug in peripherals. The mouse and keyboard go into their respective ports. Serial ports take in modems. Parallel ports take in printer, scanners, etc, There are now USB ports for USB printers, scanners, digital cameras, etc. Now there are Fire Wire ports t00-but these are useful for those into video-editing and such tasks that need a lot of data to be transferred in a shot.

Keyboard and Mouse-

There is a range of mice to choose from Look for one that you fell comfortable working with. There are different types of keyboards. Again look for one that doesn't require you to thump hard to type, feels ergonomic. You could also go for devices go for devices that have programmable buttons/keys.

Software-

You need an operating system-the common one is of course, Windows 98. Now latest version of Windows for home is Windows XP and Windows 2003.

You need an office suits, or at least programs that do word processing, spreadsheets and presentations. You need a browser to Web, and an e-mail program. You'll also need an antivirus, some system diagnostic tools, some graphics programs, and some useful things like media players (to run your movies and play music), file compression tools like WinZip. Then of course, there is a world of games and multimedia titles to explore.

This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact, for non-profit ministering purposes.