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Other => General Topics => Topic started by: kkaran168 on February 23, 2011, 11:33:03 PM

Title: Hardware for Win 7 and Shields Necesary?
Post by: kkaran168 on February 23, 2011, 11:33:03 PM

I am planning to build my mother a new computer.  Even though her computing requirements are extremely modest the Avast Antivirus is using too much of her resources.  She uses MS Word 2003 and a web browser.  Her e-mail is Yahoo -- she doesn't use Outlook and she doesn't IM.  She doesn't use a VPN or anything sophisticated.  

I would like to build a "greener" pc preferably with a small form-factor such as a mini-itx.  Despite a recent re-install, removal of crapware, registry clean, and disk defrag, her WinXp computer still runs slow.  I could upgrade memory but the machine is so old (2004) that it isn't worth it and I'd like to start fresh.  Even though I have to keep Word 2003, I will upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium.

The most resource intensive application she runs is Avast Professional.  She is running the default shields:  Mail shield, Web shield, P2P shield, IM shield, Network shield, Behavior shield.  Are all these necessary for her?

What cpu should I get?  I was thinking of something in the AMD family.  Is there an advantage to a dual core processor for her?  I was planning on 2 GB of RAM.

If there is an FAQ that discusses this topic, my apologies and I will RTFM.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

Title: Re: Hardware for Win 7 and Shields Necesary?
Post by: CraigB on February 24, 2011, 05:51:15 AM

If your going to move up to windows 7 the standard now seem's to be 64bit with 4gig ram, Intel i5's have really come down in there pricing, i got my parent's a new system a couple of months ago, hp with a i5 650 quad core 3.06 Ghz,win 7 home premium 64 bit, 4Gig ram, 1Tb Hdd, ATI 5450 1Gig graffic's card with a 24" monitor thrown in for $620.
The avast shield's that arnt being used wont use any memory.

Title: Re: Hardware for Win 7 and Shields Necesary?
Post by: YoKenny on February 24, 2011, 02:04:43 PM

Systems are coming down in price.

Here is one for only $439.99:
lenovo IdeaCentre H215(0893-1FU) Athlon II X2 250(3.0GHz) 4GB DDR3 1TB HDD Capacity ATI Radeon 3000 IGP Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883108362

Title: Re: Hardware for Win 7 and Shields Necesary?
Post by: CharleyO on February 26, 2011, 05:37:43 PM

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Use at least an AMD dual core and 4GB RAM with W7 Home Premium 64-bit.

Otherwise, momma won't be happy. And ... when momma isn't happy, you won't be happy.    ;)

You might also check the prices at www.TigerDirect.com as I have had low prices & very good service from them over many years.


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