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How to choose a computer? office, home, gaming. Choosing a computer for your home: expert advice Which computer is better to buy

18.01.2024

Computer for basic tasks

If we are talking about a basic model - a computer for a child or a machine for working on the Internet and office applications, focus on affordable and at the same time reliable models. In addition to surfing the network and basic software applications, the basic configuration system unit will support simple games, allow you to listen to music, watch movies, store and process photos.

When choosing a system unit, first decide on the range of tasks planned for the new PC, because each computer is an optimal set of components for its segment. Basic-level system units costing up to 15,000 rubles are designed for simple applications: text editors, spreadsheets, databases, documents and presentations. They also have music and video, access to email and the Internet, and games that are not demanding on resources. Personal computers in this category are based on single- and dual-core processors with a frequency of 1.2-2.7 GHz (Celeron, Pentium Dual Core, Sempron, Athlon) with a RAM capacity of 1-3 GB. For the described range of tasks, the capabilities of an integrated video adapter or an inexpensive video card are quite sufficient. Modern integrated graphics accelerators are much more powerful than their predecessors and will suit the capabilities of most home and work PC users.

If you plan to store a library of movies, music and photos on your computer, take care of a spacious hard drive with a capacity of up to 320 GB. Don't forget about additional components: a DVD±RW optical drive for recording/copying discs, a card reader for copying photos from a camera or mobile phone. An important detail is the ability to improve the PC over time, make it more powerful, adapting it to increased needs. This can be achieved by changing the processor, adding additional RAM or a second hard drive. This approach will allow you to get a more powerful system over time at a reasonable cost. But it’s worth asking about the prospects for such an upgrade in advance.

Home multimedia center

In addition to basic tasks, a universal multimedia computer will also perform the functions of a home entertainment center. It will be based on modern AMD or Intel processors, high-performance ATI or nVidia video cards, and large-capacity hard drives with a high-speed SATA interface. In addition to playing high-definition video in HD and Full HD formats, a system unit in this category will allow you to run modern games, although not in maximum quality.

A dual-core or triple-core AMD Athlon II, Phenom X3 or Intel iCore3 and iCore5 processor, a powerful discrete video card with 512 MB of internal memory, support for the latest video and audio formats - multimedia computers cope with a wide range of tasks, including modern games. They are also distinguished from the basic configuration by the amount of RAM increased to 3-4 GB, which is critical for running multimedia applications. Convenient options are a TV and FM tuner with support for recording programs, but in this case, do not forget to get the most capacious built-in hard drive with a disk rotation speed of up to 7200 rpm, or take care of the additional purchase of an external hard drive.

Integral components of a modern multimedia computer are multi-channel surround sound and support for an HDMI interface for outputting high-definition video signals to a wide-format monitor. Make sure your multimedia computer's graphics card has up-to-date DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort outputs. Don’t forget about an integrated or separate network card and support for a local LAN if you plan to connect a modern flat-panel TV or other network devices to your computer via a wired or wireless network.

With a price of up to 25,000 rubles, multimedia equipment is an excellent option not only for entertainment, but also for hobbies. Compatibility with resource-intensive tasks, including basic 3D graphics, digital photo and image editing, video and audio processing, does not prevent system units in this category from remaining affordable. Thanks to their flexibility and comparatively high performance, multimedia PCs offer excellent value for money.

Gaming system unit

Gaming computers are traditionally equipped with the most modern components and technologies, which is why they occupy the top positions in the price range. Powerful system units based on quad-core processors and the latest generation video cards provide access to the latest achievements in the gaming industry, including support for realistic special effects and three-dimensional images.

Fans of three-dimensional computer worlds, enthusiasts of video editing and musical arrangements are addressed to the most productive solutions with the widest capabilities. Quad-core Intel Core QUAD, Intel CORE i5 and i7 processors or AMD Athlon II X4 and Phenom X4 are combined with the best nVidia and ATI graphics processors with a memory capacity of 4 MB or more. If the video card supports operation in SLI (nVidia) or CrossFire (ATI) modes, you can later add another one to it, thus increasing system performance. The recommended amount of RAM is from 4 GB.

Given the rapid growth in popularity of 3D films and games, some gaming configurations are offered with innovative nVidia 3D Vision software and wireless 3D glasses - for complete immersion in virtual reality and stunning special effects of films and games.

The range of prices among gaming computers is quite wide, but the principle of choice is the same - the more resources, the better, since gaming applications remain the constant catalyst for the rapid progress of PCs. For example, gaming-class computers are actively equipped with Blu-ray optical drives - it is on Blu-ray discs that the latest 3D games and films are now released. Considering the significant power consumption and fairly high noise level, system units of this class, the cost of which can exceed 60,000 rubles, should be purchased only by those who intend to make the most of their computing power. In addition to modern gaming applications, these applications include video encoding and complex graphics processing.

Additional points

The main advantage of purchasing a ready-made system unit is that the user does not need to delve into the variety of processors, video cards, motherboards on the market... Ready-made configurations offered by manufacturers ensure optimal and reliable operation of all components without exception. To choose a computer for your tasks, you don’t have to have an exact classification of processors in your head or remember all generations of video cards: the basic concepts and parameters of a computer, coupled with the price, clearly characterize the scope of application for which it is designed.

If previously computer performance was assessed by processor clock speed, with the advent of multi-core technologies this method turned out to be frankly outdated - you should not add the frequencies of two processors in order to get an accurate picture of PC power. Instead of specifying frequency, cache and bus, Intel and AMD processors are labeled with specific model numbers. The higher the number and the more cores a processor has, the better its characteristics, the faster, more powerful and, of course, more expensive.

You can easily understand the symbols of video cards if you remember the principle of their marking, which is largely similar for leading manufacturers - ATI and nVidia. The first number indicates the generation of the card, the subsequent ones indicate its performance. As is the case with processors, the higher the number (excluding the first digit), the more productive and powerful the card: for example, the nVidia 8800 GT is more productive than the 9300 GT model. For modern games and 3D graphics, *700, *800, *850, *900 video cards are suitable. Mid-level graphics for multimedia computers - *300, *350, *400, *450, *470. Entry-level graphic systems for working with the Internet, e-mail, and office applications. — *000, *100, *150, *200, *250.

Hello dear readers of my blog. Marat Nauruzbaev is in touch. In this article I will tell and show which computer is better to buy for home use and which one I bought for myself the other day. Or rather, what kind of computer system unit I assembled from components. I’ll tell you how to choose the right computer and why I chose these components for the system unit and not others.

The system unit turned out to be in the middle price category, with a reserve for future modernization. Also in the article I will show the configuration of a system unit in a low price category, but quite productive.

I purchased my home computer a long time ago (in my opinion, in 2008). At that time it was a good, powerful computer for work and play. Now, according to modern requirements, it is already considered outdated and has long been in need of modernization.

Why is it better to assemble a system unit from components rather than purchasing ready-made assemblies?

Because you “collect” exactly what you want, and not what the store offers you in a ready-made system unit.

At first I wanted to assemble a system unit based on a processor Intel, on the socket LGA 1151, but then after talking a little on the w3bsit3-dns.com forum, I came to the conclusion of building a computer based on a new processor from the company AMD, under the code name Ryzen.

Why did I change my mind? No, not because Intel processors are worse, it’s just that Intel plans to release new eighth-generation processors under the code name Coffee Lake and they will already be on a new platform (new socket) and I think there is no point in buying Intel processors on the LGA 1151 socket. Although I think processors from Intel will be relevant on this socket for another two or three years.

Therefore, I decided to “switch” again 🙂 to an AMD processor (my old computer also had an AMD processor). Moreover, AMD has released a new processor Ryzen.

My system unit configuration

I use the computer not for games, but for work: the Internet (a browser with a bunch of tabs), testing programs, writing articles, the computer also performs automatic scheduled backups (in the background), and sometimes editing and converting videos.

In general, after weighing all the pros and cons, I ordered myself this optimal configuration (mid price range).

The prices indicated are factual. in rub. at the time of purchase / fact in dollars at the time of purchase / estimated price in rub. for now

  • MaternalpayASRock AB350 Pro4– 6,290 rub. / 108 USD / 6,701 RUB
  • CPUAMD Ryzen 5 1400– 10,290 rub. / 180 USD / 11,169 RUB
  • CoolerForprocessorDeepcool Gammaxx 200T– 810 rub. / 14 USD / 869 RUB
  • OperationalmemorySamsung 8 GB– 4,150 rub. / 72 USD / 4,467 RUB
  • SSD drive128 GBTranscend 370s– 5,190 rub. / 91 USD / 5,646 RUB
  • – 4,390 rub. / 77 USD / 4,778 RUB
  • FrameCaseCom CP-686 (black) – 1,990 rub. / 35 USD / 2,172 RUB
  • BlocknutritionZalman TX 500W– 3,550 rub. / 62 USD / 3,847 RUB

All components cost me the total amount: RUB 36,660 / 643USD(September 2017)

There is no video card in this configuration, I have one in stock, it’s old and cheap :) but I don’t need an expensive video card, since I don’t play games.

If you play games, you can take yourself a video card, for example GeForce GTX 1050 Ti(RUB 10,000) or higher. This video card will run 2017 games in FullHD resolution on this configuration.

“Parsing” of components

Now I’ll tell you a little about the components I purchased and show them photos.

ASRock AB350 Pro4 motherboard

This motherboard uses socket AM4 for AMD processors and the B350 chipset, which supports overclocking. I chose it because the B350 chipset supports overclocking the processor and memory, and also because it has 6 SATA ports, which makes it possible to connect up to 6 hard drives.

In my case, this is relevant, because... I plan to move 2 or 3 hard drives from my old computer to the new computer in addition to my two purchased drives.

AMD Ryzen 5 1400 Processor

This is the so-called motor for your computer.

This processor is 4-core, 8 threads, frequency 3200-3400 MHz, L3 cache size: 8 MB.

The performance is approximately comparable to the Intel Core I5-7400 processor (4 cores, 4 threads, frequency 3000-3500 MHz).

All Ryzens are overclockable and Ryzen 5 1400 not an exception. It can be overclocked to 3.8-4.0 MHz, which I will try to do on this motherboard in the future.

CPU Cooler DeepcoolGammaxx 200T

Tower cooler from Deepcool.
Power dissipation: 100W
Fan size: 120×120 mm
Maximum noise level: 26.1 dB

It is a more powerful cooler than the one that usually comes with a BOX processor. Necessary when overclocking the processor. I hope he’s quiet, we’ll see and listen...

Samsung RAM 8 GB

Memory with a capacity of 8 GB and a frequency of 2400 MHz. They say that Samsung memory on B-Die chips overclocks well. But I don’t know this memory... :) Let's see.

128 GB SSD storageTranscend 370s [TS128GSSD370S]

Reliable SSD drive for the price. Volume: 128 GB with MLC memory.
Maximum write speed: 170 MB/s
Maximum read speed: 550 MB/s
Comes with an adapter for a 3.5″ HDD slot.

Hard drive 2 TB Seagate BarraCuda ST2000DM006

HDD capacity: 2 TB
Cache capacity: 64 MB
Maximum data transfer rate: 210 MB/s
Judging by many positive reviews, it’s a good HDD. Wait and see…

FrameCaseComCP-686 (black)

A good case for the money with a Midi-Tower size and a bottom-mounted power supply (the power supply must be purchased separately).

I liked the fact that this case has 4 internal 3.5″ bays and 3 2.5″ bays with a transverse arrangement for drives. And also by the presence of a window on the side wall and blue lighting on the front fan.

The case comes with two 120mm fans included.

There is a removable mesh at the bottom of the case

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This is a photo of the case after installing the power supply and storage devices into it

Among the shortcomings, I would like to note that the fans in the case are not adjustable in rotation speed (they are connected via a Molex connector to the power supply), although they operate relatively quietly.

power unitZalmanTX 500W[ZM500-TX]

If the processor is a motor, then the power supply is the fuel for your motor and other components, so it is not advisable to save on it.

Power: 500W
Main power connector: 20+4 pin
Connectors for processor power (CPU): 1 x 4+4 pin
Connectors for video card power (PCI-E): 2 x 6+2 pin
Number of 15-pin SATA connectors: 5
Number of 4-pin Molex connectors: 3
Number of 4-pin Floppy connectors: 1
Main power cable length: 50cm
CPU power cable length: 65 cm
Fan size: 140×140 mm
There is a blue backlight and braided wires.

Assembling the system unit

Assembling the system unit is not difficult at all. It's like a designer, you just need to be more careful.

The most difficult thing when assembling a computer is choosing the right components at the time of ordering. So that all components are compatible with each other.

Well, for example, processors are produced by two companies: Intel and AMD. Each processor has its own socket. Motherboards are produced only for a specific socket and cannot combine two different sockets on one board. Moreover, boards can be of different sizes: ATX, MiniATX, MicroATX, etc., which must be taken into account when selecting a case for the system unit...

This is the basis for selecting components; you also need to have an idea of ​​the different chipsets on the motherboard, types and frequency of RAM, etc.

Well, I took all the ordered components from the store, photographed them for this article, and assembled them safely. I say again, there is nothing complicated about this.

I will not describe in detail here how to assemble a system unit from components, the article is not about that much.

In general terms, the assembly should be done in this way:

  1. We insert the processor into the motherboard socket and close it with a special clamp
  1. Apply a thin layer of thermal paste to the processor (to remove heat from the processor to the cooler)
  1. We install the cooler on the processor using special latches (if the cooler is large, then thermal paste and cooler can be installed after installing the motherboard in the system unit case)
  1. We install RAM in a special slot on the motherboard
  1. We install the power supply into the system unit case and fasten it with several screws. We lay the cables from it approximately to the future connection points (power supply to the motherboard, processor, drives, video card) and secure them with ties
  1. Installing the rear bracket from the motherboard

We install the motherboard into the system unit case and screw it to the motherboard stands. We connect power to it and power to the processor (from the power supply)

  1. Connect the wires from the front panel of the case to the connectors on the motherboard

    2. The main difficulty in assembly is connecting the wires from the front panel of the case to the connectors on the motherboard :) It is not always easy to figure out which wire is connected to which connector on the motherboard. In this case, the manual from the mat will help you. fees.

    In general, everything went smoothly, I assembled the system unit, all that remained was to connect it to the monitor, keyboard, mouse and supply power to it.

    System unit at a budget price

    Friends, if a configuration based on an AMD Ryzen processor is expensive for you, then you can buy an inexpensive but good system unit based on an Intel processor. Its performance will of course be inferior, but will be decent (at the level of the Intel Core I3-6100 processor).

    This configuration is perfect for work and even for undemanding games.

    Prices are approximate at the moment

  • MaternalpayGigabyte GA-B250M-DS3H– 83 USD / 5,150 RUB
  • CPUIntel Pentium G4600 BOX– 99 USD / 6,143 RUB
  • OperationalmemoryGoodram 8 GB– 68 USD / 4,219 RUB
  • Harddisk1 TBToshiba– 46 USD / 2,854 RUB
  • CaseCom CP-686 case– 35 USD / 2,172 RUB
  • Power supply Zalman TX 500W– 62 USD / 3,847 RUB

Total: 392 USD / 24 323 RUB

The Intel Pentium G4600 processor is similar in performance to the Core I3-6100, but is a third cheaper and has a more powerful video core.

The Pentium G4600 comes with a built-in HD Graphics 630 video core, so if you use the computer for undemanding games, you can do without a discrete video card.

If you want to play serious games, then additionally purchase a video card, for example GeForce GTX 1050 Ti(RUB 10,000) or higher.

Well, that’s all I wanted to tell you in this article. I'm very glad that I finally updated my system unit. Moreover, I chose a modern platform in which its further modernization will not force me to change all the components, I hope so :)

For example, in the future it will be possible to change the Ryzen processor to a more powerful one, especially since AMD promises to release them with a built-in video core...

Well, I will use my good old computer as a second additional workstation.

Also watch the video about the new Ryzen processors

I will tell you about the test of a new computer, as well as about trying to overclock it, so

Computer technology has firmly entered our lives. Any office or home cannot be imagined without a computer or laptop. Before going to the store, you should think about how to choose a good computer for home, work and play, the purpose of purchasing a computer and the tasks that it will perform. The goals can be completely different: working at home, in an office environment with Internet access, video conversion, photographic image processing and much more. It is necessary to determine the purpose of the purchase in order to select a high-tech device based on its essential parameters and features.

If a computer is chosen only for the home, with the help of it they are going to access the Internet, communicate on Skype and on social networks, watch movies, download video games, then its price can be inexpensive. About 300 dollars.

When purchasing an inexpensive device, you should remember: the cheapest modern computer will work much faster than a system unit that was released on the market three years ago and was especially cool at that time.

Computer for home use

If computer equipment is necessary for work, there is no need to rush. You need to collect as much information as possible, read the article on how to choose a good computer.

Bonuses and additional payments to a salesperson's salary often depend on the store's revenue. Therefore, he can sell something that is completely unnecessary at an inflated price. After studying the entire range of products presented, collecting reviews and comprehensive opinions, you will find the best computer for yourself.

There are a huge variety of system units on the computer market. They all have different power, performance, and system requirements.

The main characteristics that you should pay attention to when buying a computer:

  • The amount of RAM (computer random access memory) provides data storage. Its minimum size is 4 GB (gigibytes), the maximum is 8 GB. If you are going to use, download and save a large amount of information, then the most suitable option would be 8 GB memory.

DDR3 RAM comparison table

  • The most important properties of a processor are the type, frequency, and number of cores. The speed of a computer processor depends on the clock frequency. It denotes the number of operations performed by the system per second. The higher the frequency value, the faster the computer runs.
  • There are two types of video cards for computers. Integrated – built into the motherboard. It cannot be changed. Computers with integrated video cards are only suitable for office use. Discrete is a separate card, installed in a special compartment on the motherboard. The video card is chosen in accordance with your needs. If you're a video game enthusiast, the card should be powerful. The price of a card directly depends on its power. Cards for gaming games are expensive.
  • Motherboard. Its size doesn't matter. The main requirement for the board is its uninterrupted operation.
  • HDD. The larger the size of your computer's hard drive, the more information you can store on your computer.
  • What you need to pay attention to when choosing a system unit is the cooling system. If the cooling system malfunctions, this may cause a breakdown of the technical device.

Photo of the cooling process in the system unit

  • Optical drive. Choose a drive that has the ability to record information in a larger number of formats. Write speed is also important.
  • Number of connectors. If you use flash drives every day, charge your phone or camera through a computer, the number of connectors will matter.
  • Operating system. It is possible to buy a computer with or without an already installed system. Keep in mind that a computer without an installed system will cost less.
  • Weight of the system unit. This option should be of interest to laptop buyers. When purchasing a stationary system unit, this information is not important.
  • Choose a computer for gaming, home or work based on significant characteristics, with an acceptable price-quality ratio.

Gaming PC

The cost of computer models ranges from the cheapest copies, from 10,000 rubles, to sophisticated devices stuffed with everything possible, costing more than 60,000 rubles. The proposed review of computer equipment will answer the question: which computer is better to buy.

System unit based on Intel Core i5 and i7 processor:

  • Not a cheap device for 50,000 rubles Intel Core i5-4670K.

Powerful gaming PC (AMD):

  • Expensive processor 60,000 rubles Amd Athlon II X4 840.

System unit based on AMD up to 30,000 rubles:

  • This option costs 30,000 rubles, the functionality corresponds to the cost. ProcessorAMD FX-6350.

System unit based on Intel Core i3:

  • Intel Core i3-4130. The price of this device will be approximately 23,000 thousand rubles.

Computer up to 15,000 rubles Intel:

  • This option is not expensive, but good - Intel Celeron G1820.

Budget computer up to 15,000 rubles AMD:

  • From the AMD series we can offer AMD A4-5300.

AMD series

When purchasing in a store, be sure to check that all documents for the computer, instructions, and receipt are available. Make sure you get a warranty.

Conclusion

Progress does not stand still. Technologies are developing rapidly. Therefore, when buying a super modern computer for a lot of money, produced, for example, this year, you need to be prepared that after a while it will no longer be as powerful and functional as the new models. We hope this article helped you learn how to choose the right computer.

Video review and advice from experts:

A personal computer is a thing familiar to every modern person. Try to find an inhabitant (not counting the tribes of savages) of our planet who have not even remotely heard of this shaking apparatus. Quite difficult, isn't it? The computer today is simply indispensable in many areas of human life. We not only work on it, but also have fun, gain new knowledge, and communicate. About fifteen years ago, the market offered only a few options for purchase: there were no heaps of different video cards, no processors, and those machines did not stand out with large amounts of memory. They were used for work, but were not impressive with their capabilities. The modern market is much wider. A variety of prices, configurations, hundreds of component manufacturers. In general, there is room to expand. However, a wide selection of computers can also cause problems, especially with the process of choosing the configuration of interest. This topic is relevant and extensive, so we have prepared an entire article in which we will look at all the intricacies of choosing a computer for the home.

The question is quite common, especially among users who have at least some idea about computer components. This point is so interesting that experts can argue about it for hours. There are pros and cons to both custom assembly and self-assembly. So that you, dear reader, have as few questions as possible about choosing a computer at home, and in particular, the option to purchase it, we will analyze the key points on ready-made and personally assembled devices.

Ready

The first solution we'll talk about. A ready-made computer, for example for games, is a fully assembled machine for which you need to pay money and connect it to the peripherals at home. The user does not have to independently understand the features of the hardware and connect all the components; the manufacturer did this for him. This option is perfect for novice users who are too lazy to understand (or have no need to) understand all the intricacies of assembling a PC. But there are also nuances. Electronics stores often take advantage of the unprofessionalism of customers by passing off rather weak solutions as “Hits”. In this case, you have to make a significant overpayment. To avoid getting a “Hit” with the characteristics of the last decade, learn at least the basics of the device before you go to choose a good computer for work or play.

Pros:

  • Everything is done for you
  • High quality build
  • Good components and their stable operation

Minuses:

  • Overpriced
  • Often, modest hardware is installed, which is positioned as top-end
  • There are cases of incorrectly assembled computers

Assembly to order

A common method that many users resort to when choosing a computer based on price/quality ratio. You can order assembly from special services or electronics stores. It is advisable to contact large component sellers who already have a reputation and a wide selection of computer hardware. It would be useful to have at least some knowledge that will help you tell the assembler in more detail about the required configuration. Ask the specialist what components he will use, their cost, and why he chooses them. This way, you will know about the level of the builder, and he will be familiar with your wishes about the future computer.

Pros:

  • All necessary work will be done by a specialist
  • Your wishes will be taken into account

Minuses:

  • You will have to pay for the collector's services
  • There is a risk that the specialist will save money by installing cheap hardware

Self-assembly

Finally, the most interesting thing is assembling a computer with your own hands. Many users enjoy this process, showing all their skill and knowledge of computer components. The method is suitable only for confident users who already have some experience. Of course, a friend with a wealth of knowledge in this area can help out. This option has quite a lot of advantages, but there are also disadvantages. Its disadvantages are associated precisely with the inexperience of the user, who can not only choose the wrong hardware, but also, for example, force a video card into the wrong slot on the motherboard. Therefore, if you decide not to choose a computer from the available models on the market, but to show your talent, familiarize yourself with the assembly features, or better yet, ask a specialist about everything.

Pros:

  • Price. You only pay for components at their market price
  • The ability to build the perfect computer for any purpose
  • Reducing the risks that exist when purchasing in a store

Minuses:

  • Incorrect or careless assembly may cause problems with operation.

Choosing a computer for your home is not easy, and it is no less difficult to decide on the purchase option. For beginners who need a device for work, we advise you to take a closer look at ready-made solutions. Inexperienced users looking for a gaming computer, but not understanding the hardware, should pay attention to a custom build. Well, professionals themselves know that self-assembly will be the most profitable for them.

Let's say that you decided to purchase a ready-made solution and were already going to an electronics store, stopping reading the article after the first point. When you get to the local store, you will realize that the shelves are crowded with beautiful and powerful (as the seller and description assures) computers. But how can you choose a computer, for example, for a schoolchild among the variety of manufacturers? But those who continued reading will now learn about the most popular companies that assemble solutions for a variety of tasks.

  • Acer. A Taiwanese company engaged in the production of laptops, personal computers and other electronics. It occupies one of the leading positions on the market. The products are quite high quality and inexpensive, which has allowed the company to spread so well.
  • ASUS. Another company whose head office is based in Taiwan. Its products fill various niches in consumer electronics. Develops components for other large companies. It also produces ready-made personal computers.
  • Dell. A company from the USA is already on this line. It is also widespread in Russia, which is facilitated by the affordable cost of products. It produces various electronics, but has achieved particular success in the production of monitors and computers.
  • Apple. The Apple company has succeeded in almost every segment of the electronics market. She was one of the first to introduce the personal computer. It is still producing today. When choosing a computer from Apple, you can be sure of high quality materials and assembly. Only an impressive price can scare away a user.
  • Lenovo. A Chinese company that produces inexpensive but high-quality desktop computers and other consumer electronics.
  • HP. Another company from America. Engaged in the production and sale of expensive and good models of personal computers, laptops and other equipment.
  • MSI. The company has succeeded not only in the production of powerful video cards, but also in the production of gaming computers. The products are aimed at demanding users who want maximum performance. The price, although high, fully corresponds to the characteristics of the components.
  • AMD. The company is not only fighting with Nvidia, but also producing good, cheap computers. Of course, it is based on proprietary hardware, which will appeal to fans.

It can take a long time to describe manufacturers, but that’s not the only reason you’re reading the article. Therefore, we will move on, and those who are interested in all models can turn to online stores for help. There it will not be difficult to collect information about popular companies.

Each user approaches the choice of a good computer with a certain amount of money. It is difficult to give advice on which segment is preferable. Here everything depends on user requests. If you want cheaper - budget solutions for work, more expensive - configurations for games and serious tasks. In general, all computers on the market can be divided into 4 groups, which we will now talk about in more detail.

  • Entry level (budget solutions) – up to 18,000-20,000 rubles. The cheapest and simplest computers. Designed for working with text editors, browsing web pages and other similar tasks. You can hardly call a computer like this a gaming one, but it can handle some older releases. Often purchased for office workers and home use. Although they have recently been replaced by more compact laptops.
  • Average level (universal solutions) - from 18,000 to 40,000 rubles. The most common and popular group. Perfect for work and for running modern programs. Computers in this segment can also handle the latest game releases (medium/high graphics settings). Will be an excellent option for home use.
  • Highest level (powerful solutions for gamers) - more than 40,000 rubles. Computers with modern hardware that can easily handle any modern games and programs. However, you will have to fork out for high performance. In addition, such systems have another serious disadvantage - high noise levels. A liquid cooling system helps out, which also costs a lot. Those for whom games occupy a serious place in their lives should choose such a powerful computer.
  • Solutions for special problems. This category includes computers for video editing, computing and other complex tasks. They involve the use of special components and individual assembly. However, often the manufacturer installs the most modern hardware and puts a hefty price tag on it.

Here any advice will be superfluous. Everything depends on you. You need a computer for work - buy an inexpensive solution and don’t waste your money. If you like to play, but are limited in money, then take a closer look at the middle class. If you can’t live without modern games and are ready to fork out the cash, buy a powerful computer. Well, if you are an engineer or do video editing, then study specialized solutions.

Well, having sorted out the types of assembly and cost, let's move on to the components themselves. We will start, of course, with the motherboard. What is this? A complex printed circuit board, which is the basis for building any computer, is often called “mother”, “motherboard” or “mother” in slang. A huge number of components are soldered on it, and there are also slots for connecting other components. You can find out more in another article on our website.

Many companies are engaged in the production of motherboards (Intel, Elitegroup, Foxconn, Gigabyte, Biostar, MSI, Asus AsRock, etc.). Boards from Asus and Gigabyte have become especially popular in recent years. No, this does not mean that other companies do a bad job of this task. If you like another manufacturer, then you can give preference to him. It’s just that these two companies are more careful about their computer boards, keep the number of bugs to a minimum, and constantly release BIOS updates. Problems arise with them, but less often than with others, as evidenced by the statistics of service centers.

Remember, the motherboard is the future basis of your PC. When choosing a computer for home, school, gaming or work, study the installed fee. If you are assembling a PC yourself, then focus on reliability, not on “sophistication”. “Chips” and a bunch of indicators are, of course, great, but, as a rule, useless. In addition to the fact that such a model costs a lot, it also cannot boast of reliability. Yes Yes. Additional functions often fail.

What to look for when choosing a motherboard

When choosing a computer, or rather a board for it, you should take into account some features that will be discussed now.

  • Be sure to check if the power of the processor socket matches the processor. Higher power is possible, lower power is not.
  • To satisfy speed demands, it is advisable to have at least 2 USB0, and better yet 3.1.
  • Are you planning to install an SSD drive in your computer? Don't forget to check if the motherboard has SATA.
  • A little history. Old boards used electrolytic capacitors. They have been replaced by solid capasitors, which are more reliable. As you might have guessed, the presence of the latter is better for you.
  • With video outputs everything is simple - VGA, DVI or HDMI, which is enough for a computer today.

Here are the main tips on choosing a motherboard. Users often recommend paying attention to a number of other points that usually do not play a special role. For most people, two ports will be enough for memory; a two-channel audio codec will also be enough for a modern computer. Even about portsSATA 2.0 you don’t have to worry too much about, since they are installed in 4 pieces.

One more short piece of advice. After selecting your computer, you will go to installWindows. However, before doing this, I strongly recommend updatingBIOS. If you don’t know how to do it yourself, ask a specialist. Newer versions, as a rule, have bugs fixed and work more stably with the system.

Not only one of the most important, but also almost the most interesting point when choosing a computer for games, work, study, and so on. The processor is like the heart in our future machine. The further functioning of the entire system will largely depend on this small chip. Therefore, under no circumstances should we forget about him.

You can start choosing a processor for your computer by calculating your budget. Yes, this is exactly what we should start from. And, of course, requests. For work and surfing the Internet - an inexpensive, simple chip. Demanding games, then, dear friends, be so kind as to shell out a tidy sum. To make everything more clear, several conditional categories were identified.

  • Lower class (2000-2500 rubles). Processors for working with office programs and browsing the Internet. They don’t heat up the computer, but they don’t shine with performance either. For games - no. For simple tasks - yes. In this segment, AMD rules the roost with its cheap products. There is also Intel, but only quite old models. Therefore, we recommend that everyone pay attention to the “reds”. Here are some good models: AMD A4 Richland, AMD Athlon Kabini, Intel Celeron Haswell.
  • Middle class (2500-7500 rubles). A more interesting segment with more powerful models for the computer. Here you can already choose a good “stone” from Intel, and AMD is also well represented. If you want a quiet and cool computer, look towards Intel. AMD is for you if you are looking for an inexpensive performance solution that has a faster integrated graphics adapter. Of course, you shouldn’t expect miracles in games (meaning the use of an integrated video card), but old releases will definitely run. And a list of good options: AMD FX Vishera, Intel Core i3 Skylake, AMD A10 Godavari, Intel Xeon Gulftown).
  • Not top, but you can play new games (7500-14500 rubles). I couldn't figure out what to call this class. In fact, models in this segment can already be classified as high-end, since they are often used when choosing a gaming computer. But, still, I cannot classify them as top-end, despite the impressive price. If you are choosing a computer for gaming, calmly purchase a processor within the range of 7,500-14,500 rubles, and the money saved is better spent on buying a video card for the computer. Here are a couple of good representatives: Intel Core i5 Skylake, Intel Xeon Haswell-EP, Intel Xeon Ivy Bridge-EP. As you understand, the king here is Intel.
  • Highest class (more than 14,500 rubles). Finally, a segment that is interesting to many, but at the same time too expensive. This includes chips for assembling the most powerful computers on which you can run modern games at maximum settings. But there are also nuances. The first is the price. It really bites, given the current exchange rate of the ruble. Second: in a gaming computer, the main word is not the processor, right? It is more profitable to invest in a powerful processor than to spend money on an exorbitant number of chip cores. And a few popular models: Intel Core i7 Skylake, Intel Core i7 Devil’s Canyon, ntel Core i7 Broadwell E. And again Intel is on horseback.

There is nothing more to advise here. Compare your budget and performance requirements, and then go choose a computer and a processor for it.

Well, dear gamers, here we come to the most important component for a gaming computer. Choosing a video card is not only an interesting process, but also a complex one, so our portal has a detailed article that will help you understand all the intricacies. Now we will go through the main points.

Discrete graphics card for a budget PC

Is it even necessary for a cheap computer? A few years ago, the answer was obvious - yes, it is needed. Without it, your computer simply wouldn't work. Today everything has changed. Almost every modern processor has its own graphics chip, the performance of which is sufficient for most work tasks and even many games. Therefore, buying a cheap video card for a budget computer is a stupid and expensive idea. After spending 3000-4000 rubles, you will get a weak model, which will turn out to be weaker integrated.

Video card for games

But for a normal gaming computer, a video card built into the processor will not be enough. Therefore, we begin to sort out the options. The main thing in a graphics adapter is the video chip. The newer and more sophisticated it is, the better. Don't get hung up on video memory. 6 GB is enough for you to reach maximum graphics settings in any modern game in 4K. 4 GB – for 2K with the same settings. For gamers who are not the most graphics-demanding, 2 GB will be enough. Remember: the amount of video memory does not directly affect performance, it only stores data and textures. Here are some good models for a powerful computer: GeForce GTX950, Radeon R7, GeForce GTX1070.

By cooling

The moment is important, so it’s simply impossible not to mention it. Classification of cooling systems: active and passive. In most cases, the first option should be preferred. A passive system in a computer does not involve the use of coolers, so it operates silently, but overheating of video cards often occurs. The reason for this is excessive heat generation, which the radiator simply cannot cope with. Insufficient ventilation of the case may also be to blame. The active system does not suffer from these disadvantages. Yes, it is loud. But it cools as it should.

I won’t describe it, because there is a detailed, recent article. In general, the adapter model depends only on the requests and financial capabilities of the buyer. Need a computer to work withWord and the Internet - take the cheapest one, or better yet, abandon it altogether in favor of a modern processor with a good video core. Do you like to play? Prepare your money. Powerful computers are not cheap.

Another important component that you should not forget about when choosing a computer. Otherwise, your system simply will not work. There is no particular difficulty in choosing a RAM module. It is enough to decide on the manufacturer, type and volume. So, let's start with companies that are launched by releasing RAM.

A lot of them. To list all companies, their advantages and disadvantages, a separate article will be required. Therefore, here are several manufacturers that have been on the market for a long time, and there are no problems with them: Kingston, Crucial, Hynix, Samsung, Transcend. Particularly popular are modules from Kingston, which specializes in memory.

DDR3 or DDR4

Of course, many will begin to argue that DDR4 is both faster and better for a good computer. In theory, this is true. This type is new, more expensive, and simply has to be better. But in practice it turns out that DDR3 is not so far behind. Many tests have confirmed that DDR4 2133 MHz is marginally superior to DDR3 1600 MHz. You can only buy new types of modules for your computer for the future. Perhaps next year they will reveal their full potential, but DDR3 is still relevant.

Volume

Finally, the most interesting part. This parameter is of interest to every buyer, and those who are completely ignorant of choosing a good computer do not count. Here, too, you can make a small classification.

  • 2-4 GB (budget PCs). Considering that all modern operating systems use a little more than 1 GB, 2 GB will be available for comfortable work with simple tasks. To be sure, you can buy 4 GB for your computer by spending your savings.
  • 4-8 GB (universal PCs). This volume is sufficient for both work and most modern games.
  • 8-16 GB (gaming PCs). We don’t have to talk about comfortable work, I think everyone already understands that. More than enough for games too. And not every release can “eat up” so much computer RAM.
  • More than 16 GB. As many tests show, there is little point in installing more than 16 GB of RAM. Few future releases require such a huge volume. And it’s not a fact that they really need it.

And one more piece of advice. Give preference to two identical modules of smaller volume than one, but large. In this case, dual-channel access mode works, which provides higher computer speed. Well, you can learn more from our other article.

We are slowly approaching the end of today’s article about choosing the right computer for your home. The goal is next. It is clear what this component is intended for. Therefore, let's move straight to the manufacturers.

There are quite a lot of them on the market. Full information can be found in the description of a specific model. In general, hard drives are very similar to each other. The main thing, as many people, including myself, believe, is reliability. After all, the drive is designed to store information that no one wants to lose. Here are a few manufacturers who have succeeded in this regard.

  • WD (Western Digital). The vast majority of models on the market. It is distinguished by high quality and affordable cost. The company is more than 45 years old, during which time it has not managed to establish itself and become famous in the segment of hard drives for computers.
  • Seagate. Also a popular company from America. Specializes in the production of information storage devices. In 2009, a batch of new drives received serious bugs in the code, which limited users' access to files from computers.
  • Hitachi. A serious Japanese company that is over 100 years old. Engaged in the production of various electronics, including hard drives for computers. In the period 2009-2011 there were serious problems with the models, which were subsequently resolved.
  • Toshiba. Another company that manufactures and produces hard drives, although the main production is aimed at other computer equipment.

About the speed of work

Each manufacturer produces identical models that differ in spindle speed. They are divided into three large classes.

  • 5400-5900 rpm (Eco, Green, Purple, Archive). Designed for storing data arrays. They are considered low-performing, but in fact they are slightly inferior to their older brothers. They operate the computer quietly, and some are completely silent, which is the main advantage of this class. They practically do not heat up and are inexpensive.
  • 7200 rpm (Mainstream, Blue). Hard drives for the mass segment. Price and characteristics are balanced. They operate quite loudly and often even vibrate. Some models get warm in the computer during operation.
  • 7200 rpm (Performance, Black). You can say premium class. They work quickly, but you will have to pay a fairly large amount for speed. They don't get too hot and are quite quiet.

Volume

Now about the storage capacity for the computer. Here again, everything depends on the user’s needs, but there is little point in buying a larger hard drive with a capacity of more than 1 TB. Fast Internet gives you access to content online; files can be stored in cloud services. And for photographs and personal documents, as a rule, a lot of memory is not required. Of course, if you are not going to store game installers, as well as a bunch of TV series on your computer. However, in this case, external drives look more attractive.

SSD drives

And it’s worth saying a few words about these “good comrades”. The relevance of their acquisition is enormous. For a fairly modest amount, solid-state drives will turn even the most budget computer into a fast machine. I won’t describe all their advantages, since we recently talked about their features in a separate article.

Well, now for some expert advice. Today, a pair of pairs looks most attractive and advantageous on a computer.SSD+HDD. We install the system on the first one; it is enough to purchase the 64, or better yet, 128 GB version. OnHDD (the most attractive in this case is 5400-5900 rpm) We will store the data.

The relevance of purchasing a drive for a computer today is quite questionable. It's easier to download movies, games and music from the Internet. An optical drive is only useful for viewing any special events recorded on discs. In this case, the most common DWD-RW is sufficient. Blu-Ray is useful if you plan to watch movies on your computer from licensed media, although downloading from the Internet is faster and easier.

It is difficult to choose the best manufacturer. Samsung, LG, and Asus also look good. They are distinguished by their good reliability, while with drives from other companies problems begin within a year or two. The most common problem is a dead laser beam. As a result, the process of reading discs becomes longer.

If, when choosing a computer, you doubt whether you need an optical drive, then “just in case” I advise you to purchase a removable one. It connects via cable and does not take up space in the case.

This component is necessary to convert energy and power all elements of the computer. Although the power supply is an important part, you shouldn’t get hung up on choosing it. We described this component in detail in another. It is difficult to single out a leading manufacturer, because the assembly is carried out using the same technologies. You shouldn't chase power either. For an average modern computer, a 400-500 W unit is sufficient. Greater power will only be needed for gaming solutions that use bundles of video cards and other tricks. Moreover, with the increase in component performance, companies are trying to reduce the energy demands of their products.

Take one point into account. If a voltage stabilizer is not used, be sure to check the availability of the modulePFC in the power supply. It will protect your computer from power surges.

So, let’s say we have chosen the main components for the future computer, but they also need to be put into something. Specially made cases come to the rescue, into which the “organs” of the computer are placed. In general, the choice of case solely depends on the user's requirements. We buy the one that we like, and the price is not exorbitant. By the way, computer cases are often sold with a power supply included. There are a lot of models on the market, but they can all be divided into two large groups.

  • Desktop (horizontal). Small cases that are usually placed on a table, with a monitor placed on top. Suitable for universal and budget class computers. As a rule, they are silent and inexpensive. However, there are also nuances. The main disadvantage of their compact size is poor air circulation. In addition, it is difficult to stuff a powerful cooling system into them. Therefore, horizontal cases are not suitable for a powerful gaming computer. They cannot boast of high quality and expensive manufacturing materials.
  • Tower (vertical). A common and extensive type of computer case. Among them there are very cheap models and luxury original solutions. In general, there is plenty to choose from. If appearance is not important to you, then buy the cheapest one and don’t break your head. They are usually made of plastic, but they last quite a long time. Fans of original solutions also have plenty to choose from. Store shelves are filled with expensive computer cases from popular manufacturers.

Not much can be said about the manufacturers. The companies that stand out are Zalman, Chieftec and FSP. Take the case that you like the most, forgetting about the logo. Here's our top tip when choosing a computer case.

So, it’s time to draw a line under our article on choosing a good computer for your home. In conclusion, we decided to make a small rating of the best PCs today. We thought that it would be more correct to divide the TOP into several groups (depending on the computer’s tasks). Here are the models with the most attractive characteristics at the appropriate price.

  • Acer Aspire XC-704 MT (15,000 rubles)
  • BestHard June (19,000 rubles)
  • GigaByte Brix GB-BACE-3000 (8000 rubles)
  • RapidComp RG-060 (29,500 rubles)
  • DELL OPTIPLEX 3040 MT (30,000 rubles)
  • Acer Aspire XC-230 (21,000 rubles)
  • ASRock DESKMINI 110 (25,000 rubles)
  • RapidComp RG-056 (58,500 rubles)
  • KEY GM Mid G-325-8G1000 (43,500 rubles)
  • MSI Nightblade MI-025RU (64,000 rubles)
  • EXCIMER Gamer 8240 (70,000 rubles)

In order to avoid angry comments, I will say that the rating of the best computers is based on models that are assembled by manufacturers with an appropriate markup. It is clear that for this money you can assemble a more powerful system yourself. Follow the portal's news so as not to miss the rating of the best computer builds for games.