What pc ?

[Lindy66]

Im looking to buy a new desktop pc (just base unit)

Want the best one available with a budget of GBP 250. There are so many available and cant think which one will be best suited to me.

I use internet daily and my family play games, download music and films.

A friend recommended the Dell Dimension 2400 but reading a review doesnt seem that good graphics side has low ram and some models do not come with dvd.

Any suggestions ?

[stevie21]

Dell have been offering some decent PCs quite cheaply but often need more RAM (minimum 512 I'd say).
ebuyer.com offer basic desktops starting at around �250.

There's always ebay.

[wideboy]

Buy the weekly magazine Micro Mart and look at their ads.

[joko]

some people are very fussy about computers and have very high standards of what is acceptable.

 the reviewer of the graphics may have been a graphic artist so very picky about what is ok.

 for general use most computer graphics are fine. 

go for facts not opinion as they will always differ.

I would go for the dell one. for your budget you ar5e limited. you can always add ram once it runs low, which will be a good while and by then you will probably have money to spare.

same with the dvd player, add things as and when you can afford them. they will be plug and play device and a piece of pish to install.

you could always try ebay. for a whole system or upgrade items. check feedback and ask lots of questions though. I recently bought a great lap top for �190 and its excellent and worth much more, but i may have just been lucky.

there is also some insurance with ebay so if you should get a dud you may get your money back. most sellers are pretty honest

[vehelpfulguy]

For �250 you should get a fairly good base unit. You say there are so many available but too be honest most of them are pretty much the same, and will all do a job.

From the description of what you use it for I think the only things that sets it apart is playing games.

Most cheaper computers only come with in-built graphics (on the motherboard) but it may be worth you getting one with a separate graphics card.

You can pay a lot just for a graphics card, up to �250, but unless you plan for high performance games you should be Ok with a graphics card between about 25 and 50 pounds.    

If I was you, as somebody says, I would buy Micro mart and find a local company who can built a system unit to order. You can then get exactly what you want and you will have a local suppllier to fix it if things go wrong. 

I would say a 3Ghz processor, 512Mb of memory, 80Gb or larger hard disk, a graphics card, DVD player, and a copy of Windows Home would do nicely.  

[vehelpfulguy]

One other option is to look in Micro Mart and find a local computer fair. I live in the Midlands and there is one every Saturday near the NEC. You should be able to find one near you.

Here loads of companies offer PC components, or even pre-built systems. Some will even build the system for you while you wait.  

You can tell them your budget, tell them what you need, and they give you a price and then build it for you. You will often get it for a very good price. 

Often this does NOT include Windows, but you can buy it and install it yourself which to be honest is not difficult, or find someone to install it for you.

Here is one company that offer computer fairs, there are others http://www.theshowguide.co.uk/