what do I need in a new computer?

We are looking for a new computer. We like to play games on the computer and the kids have lots of music files. My b/f wants a HP. My question is, what kinds of things do I need to look for when buying a new computer? # of RAM. What is the difference between at SATA drive and the other one? (Can't remember those letters) Since we do a lot of games, pictures and music, what kind of disk space or video stuff should I look for? We've never bought a brand new one, always got used ones for little or no money. Tired of it, want something NEW!!!!:drool

 

it's all preference, it's kinda like when you go buy a car, what do you want (what i want probably isn't gonna be what you want)? whenever i look at a comp, i always look for the best bang for the buck (i can add more ram myself, i can add other stuff). what is your price range? anyway, what type of games do you play (online games, or games on cd/dvd)? a sata drive is a serial drive (i don't know about all), but is generally faster than a pata/ide drive. i'd at least look for something with a 320-500gb h/d.

there is gonna be other stuff that you will need, unless you already have them:

surge protector <-- mandatory (either this or a ups)
ups (uninterruptible power supply) <-- optional
external h/d <-- optional
better speakers <-- optional
monitor (maybe) <-- optional

 

I would recommend getting a custom build or building one yourself. If your town has a small independent PC shop, pay 'em visit and tell 'em what it is you need the PC for, tell 'em what your budget is, and they'll work with you to design and build the best PC for the price. These smaller shops are usually very competitive with pricing when compared to other local stores, but usually can't compete with online pricing, so don't expect them to match the lowest prices at Newegg. But they also make up the slightly higher cost with after-the-sale-support and having a local place to take your PC or to call with questions is much better than calling some 800 number that routes you to customer "support" in India. Plus, you'd keep your hard earned money in the local economy, putting food on local tables, instead of adding to an already bloated multi-national corporation's bank account, and you'd have a face and name to go with your PC, and you wouldn't be a faceless reference number. These local PC guys will also usually let you hang out while the PC is getting built so you can watch, ask questions, help 'em build it and load the software, so you learn a whole lot in the process. A good friend of mine owns one of these small local shops; he opened up before CompUSA was around, and he's outlasted them too, so I'm a bit passionate about the small local PC shops. There is really no reason to buy a PC sight unseen online or over the phone, or to buy it from Costco with your 5 gallons of mustard and your bushel of tube socks. Find the shop that's been in business for several years, and they'll probably do you right. You'll want plenty of hard drive space and a DVD burner especially if your doing lots of music and photos and videos, and a good graphics card is worth its weight in gold.....
Good luck :major