The ages are 7 and 5 and they would be using it for games and internet. The would be a temp computer until they are just a bit older and have mastered using one and I know they aren't going to kill a new one.
2007-12-07 00:25:37 · 6 answers · asked by hamnpd 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Thanks I have an opportunity to get an AMD Athalon for $120 complete with monitor and all accessories or a Compaq with a Pent 3 for $50 complete with everything.
2007-12-07 01:42:08 · update #1
Oh and I can' give my computer to my kids because it is not mine and it's a laptop. Thanks for the advice!!
2007-12-07 01:45:23 · update #2
A PIII should be able to handle Internet usage and will probably be fine for the kinds of games you'd be likely to let them play at those ages, the only issue would be whether there's enough RAM in the computer (processor speed actually has very little relevance for everyday computing tasks, those of us who underclock our laptops know from experience that typical applications run just as well on a 1 GHz processor as on a 2 GHz processor provided the rest of the computer has equal components).
I'd probably be tempted to go for the faster computer though because the rest of the components are likely to be better (and a system without enough RAM is a real pain to use and the P4 is more likely to have enough RAM in it than the P3).
2007-12-07 01:17:45 · answer #1 · answered by bestonnet_00 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Most of the disk or CD based games for that age group will run on just about anything. And, surfing the internet used to be that way, but things have evolved to the point where the processor makes a difference now.
A P3 will work but a P4 will be better, and you will want AT LEAST 512 meg of memory (more memory will always give you better performance so get more if possible). A lot of the games on the internet are java based and use flash objects so the processor has to do a lot of work now.
You will also want to have high speed internet service and not a dial-up line. There is a wealth of free games on the internet, but they won't work well with a dial-up connection.
Buying used equipment provides you with no, or a limited, guarantee. Buy the newest equipment you can afford to minimize your risk. Consider looking on craigslist.com in your area for used equipment. A lot of people upgrade and sell their old machines on craigslist and you can find some deals if you look hard enough.
Bottom line, a P3 or a P4 will work fine for what you want as long as the clock speed is at least 1.5 Gigahertz or so, but the P4 is a newer chip so the computer components will be newer and probably last longer, and get at least 512 meg of memory with it. Also, if you find a good deal on an AMD chip, get at least an Athlon 2400+ (or higher) with 512 memory. It will work fine as well and is usually less expensive.
Of course, another option is to give the kids your computer and go buy (or build) a new one for yourself. That's what I always did.
2007-12-07 09:40:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on how much you want to spend. I'd also suggest looking at new and used AMD PCs.
Keep in mind that you can get a brand new AMD desktop for under $400 these days that will be faster than a P4. Given that, I would only consider struggling with an old P3 system if it was dirt cheap, as in ~$100. If you did go that route, run Windows 2000 instead of XP and it'll be fine for their needs. As for a P4 system, I wouldn't pay much more than $300; they will perform more than well enough, but they are still considered antiquated and have little value. I would also look into used AMD Athalon systems. An AMD Athalon XP would be on par with a P4 and would probably be cheaper.
2007-12-07 09:30:52 · answer #3 · answered by limaxray 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say a Pentium 4 at the least these days. The Northwood chipset is one of the best in the P4 class.
A Core 2 Duo cpu is only about $120 at the low end, and should drop lower come early 2008 wit the new 45nm chips being released.
If you want bargain value, you could get a Celeron D or one of the AMD chips. Most AMD based computers are fairly cheap nowadays because of the stiff competition from Intel.
I'd recommend staying away from the Via CPUs. They're horrid.
2007-12-07 10:37:49 · answer #4 · answered by Nick W 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If the kids are surfing the internet you may find that a P3 will be incredibly slow loading the pages...
Computers are sooo cheap these days I would go for the P4.
2007-12-07 08:31:11 · answer #5 · answered by banshee1068 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hi friend... U can by P4 system thats good for using...
2007-12-07 08:29:43 · answer #6 · answered by Rohan 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋