Which PC is better?

[powell11]

Im goin to build a pc since my old is like 10 years old, all i want is a basic pc on a budget, no gaming like battlefield or mw3 just games online and hd video. So I have just bought an Intel Pentium 4 cpu @ 3.2 ghz, but apparently its s**t but then i thought...surely it'll be better than my current pc right? :S

Old:
Intel Celeron D @ 2.8 GHz
1.5GB DDR2 533MHz RAM
Onboard sound & video
XP home 2003

New (Planned):
Intel Pentium 4 @ 3.2GHz
8GB DDR2 1066MHz RAM
ATI Radeon HD 6450 1GB
Onboard Sound
Windows 7 home premium

To me, that looks WAY better...but then again, im a noob at hardware

[vivandorron]

I am at a loss to understand anyone attempting to build a PC if they are somewhat limited in knowing what are the best pieces of hardware to install. It's a bit like constructing a sports car and one doesn't know what engine etc will be best to cope with what is expected of it.

Ron.

[VHG]

Why have you bought a Pentium 4?, according to the internet these came out between 2000 and 2008 so it is at least 4 years old.

Also note that a CPU has pins underneath that fit in with the slots on the motherboard, and these pin combinations change all the time (more or less pins, different positions etc).

So a Pentium 4 CPU will only fit a motherboard built for a Pentium 4, and it may be hard to buy a new motherboard nowadays that will take a pentium 4 (most new ones wont take a Pentium 4).

Normally you choose the motherboard, CPU and memory as a "set", to make sure they all work together.

I must agree with vivandorron, you sound as though you need a bit more experience before you go out and build a PC.

Why not just buy a pre-built PC like this for £249 and install Windows on it yourself?

http://www.ebuyer.com...-desktop-pc-7873-1067

[powell11]

I bought it because im on a tight budget and all i need is it to do videos and online games web browsing etc. Id like to learn more maybe? Cant learn everything just by reading online. Practical is better for learning than theory.

[wildwood]

//...but apparently its s**t but...//

How did you form that opinion? I always thought a Pentium would be better than a Celeron.

[powell11]

I thought that and the processor is newer than my celeron i have atm so it cant be that bad..?

[SlackAlice]

Your planning on building a new pc that on the specs you've given will be the equivalent of one built 5-6 yrs old.

You might struggle to buy a new Pentium 4 chip and DDR2 1066Mhz memory modules, I've looked at a couple of part suppliers and they no longer stock them.

Suggest you re-think your specs and do as VHG suggests.

[VHG]

>>>I always thought a Pentium would be better than a Celeron.

Intel have used the names "Pentium" and "Celeron" for years to cover a whole range of different CPUs. Generally Celeron is the low end, Pentium (nowadays) the mid-range.

However Intel still sell Celerons and there are some new Celerons around that are far better than some older Pentiums, so you cant always say a Pentium is better than a Celeron.

In fact powell11 could buy as NEW Celeron today that would be better than his OLD Pentium 4.

[powell11]

I dont care if its old, as long as it gets the job done. Im a web browser not a gamer. All i want to know is will it out-perform my PC now?

[beso]

Given how little you obviously know about computer hardware and comprehension of what is being explained I doubt very much that your upgrade will ever be assemblable let alone runable.

[vivandorron]

Personally, I am at a loss to understand someone on a tight budget even thinking of building a computer when by their own admission says " I'm a noob at hardware" Far better to go along the lines as suggested by VHG and, if possible, sell the Pentium 4 to someone who perhaps repairs computers.

Ron