Desktop computer buying guide – CNET Reviews
Digital media enthusiast
Whether you’re editing photos or videos, or simply using your PC as a DVR, storage capacity is of the utmost importance to the digital media enthusiast. You’ll also want a fairly robust configuration to run demanding editing programs such as Photoshop or Final Cut, but you’d be best served putting your money toward a fast processor rather than a high-end graphics cards. Graphics cards are needed for 3D games, but 2D graphics most heavily tax the CPU and memory. So, buy the best six-core or quad CPU and as much RAM as you can afford. Storage is relatively affordable, so it won’t cost you too much to get a 1TB or 2TB hard drive (or two) to store your photos, videos, and music.
If your enthusiasm for digital media stops short of editing and includes merely recording, storing, and watching, you can get by with lower-end components. Your focus should be on storage capacity and video connections. Video files are large, so we suggest at least 1TB of storage space. Also make sure your PC’s video- and audio-out connections match the connections on your HDTV. Most likely you’ll use HDMI, with DVI or DisplayPort being the other suspects. Living-room-friendly desktops typically come in a slim tower like Gateway’s SX2800 series, or another small form factor such as Apple’s Mac Mini, or Dell’s Inspiron Zino HD. Because of their size and design, these smaller PCs have limited room for expansion, if they offer any at all. You may get only one hard-drive bay, for example, or you may need to stick with half-height expansion cards.
A pertinent question to ask yourself with a media PC: do you want to use your TV as your primary display? Queuing up Netflix streaming or Hulu.com is easy enough on your PC-connected TV, but simple PC tasks, such as writing e-mail and instant messaging, aren’t ideal with the 10-foot interface that comes with sitting on your couch and squinting at small text and icons. This is why we think that wireless networking and smaller, cheaper PCs have helped the media PC come a long way. By minimizing the cables and their own footprint, these less offensive computers make it easy to justify owning two PCs: one that’s hooked up to the TV and a more traditional system that sits on your desk (or lap). The desk-bound PC can even store the bulk of your media files if your smaller system doesn’t have a large enough hard drive. You can also look for a Windows Home Server or another centralized file storage device to share files with every PC in your home.
What to look for: For editing video: Six-core or quad-core CPU (Intel Core 2 Quad, Intel Core i5, Intel Core i7, AMD Phenom II X4, AMD Athlon II X4) For watching video: Dual-core CPU (Intel Core 2 Duo, Intel Core i3, AMD Phenom II X2, AMD Athlon II X2) 4GB to 8GB of DDR2 SDRAM or DDR3 SDRAM For editing video: Discrete ATI or Nvidia graphics card with 256MB to 1GB of video memory For watching video: Integrated graphics chip from Intel, ATI, or Nvidia 1TB or larger hard drive(s) Dual-layer DVD burner or Blu-ray player and/or burner Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) or Mac OS X Snow Leopard
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