Resolved Best CPU/HD for Internet Computer

It's time to get a new computer and upgrade to Windows 8. I use my computer mainly for the Internet, and have only 47 GB on my hardisk.
No gaming, photo work or other intense activities. I have 10 mb of broadband. Price is not the main issue, Internet speed is.

Would SATA or SSD hardisks improve the internet speed? Would an Intel i7 be faster than Intel i5 CPU for Internet? Would 16 GB DDR 3 ram make any difference over 8 GB for Internet speed? Would Windows 8 be faster for Internet than Windows 7? TIA

Dennis

 

Avatar Bluelight 8 Desktop PC
AMD Dual-Core Processor E-350 (1.6GHz)
4GB DDR3
320GB HDD
Gigabit Ethernet
DVD+/-RW
AMD Radeon HD 6310
Windows 8 64-Bit
Keyboard & Mouse
-
$289.99

 

No, no, no, and no! All those will allow your computer to perform better, but your "Internet speed" is determined by and through the service agreement you have with your Internet service provider (ISP). And that "bandwidth" (network speed) will ALWAYS be the biggest bottleneck in Internet speed.

So, if the primary function of this computer is surfing the Internet, you don't need much in the way of computer horsepower at all.

This is probably the most telling, profound statement of all. Because today's computing tasks, including surfing the net, is so graphics oriented, the more capable the graphics solution is, the better "overall" system performance will be because the graphics solution will be able to perform more graphics tasks faster. And it takes very little CPU horsepower, and not much "system" RAM to hand off tasks.

 

Thank you both for your replies. If you look at my computer specs. you'll see it is old, with just 1 GB ram, which was a lot when I built the machine

Now, as both of you pinpoint a good video card as a key component, could I have your suggestions as to a really strong video card for the purpose? Cost is not a big factor and I do no gaming. TIA

Dennis

 

Well, I would recommend 1 more Gb of RAM. With only 1Gb, it is likely your CPU and Windows are forced to spool data out to the Page File on the slow harddrive quite a bit and that affects over all performance, not to mention wear and tear on the drive.

For a recommended graphics card, with cost not a factor, get one of these - it's on sale too!

If cost is a factor after all, check out Tom's Hardware Best Graphics Card for the Money, January 2013.

However, it is critical you understand graphics cards are often the most power hungry devices in our system, even more so than most CPUs. So it is also critical you ensure your current PSU is fully capable, in terms of supplied power, and necessary connections, of supporting any new card, or you budget for a new supply that is.

 

GeForce GTX 690 - ~$1,000 (USD)

 

Again, thank both of you so much,

I'll get a top quality video card and a strong PSU; two items I had no idea I would need. I'm going to get, at least an Intel i5, 8 GB ram on a quality motherboard and a SSD harddisk with a second harddisk for data files etc. I'm pretty lucky in that I get an actual 8.7 test result on my 10 MB of broadband. They are in the process of upgrading the broadband infrastructure in my district of Copenhagen, so I'll be able to increase my broadband soon. I think I'll run Windows 7 for now, as I've had a lot of warnings about the difficulty of the new Windows 8 interface (...very old dogs and new tricks might not be best for my peace of mind right now Thanks again,

 

You're welcome.

Please mark your thread as 'Resolved'.

 

The learning curve, not the program, is the problem. And like most things, waiting never makes it easier. And remember, most of our computing time is NOT at the desktop, but in the applications we use - and already know.

Plus, W7 is already over 3 years old. It is still a great OS, but W8 is current, faster, more secure.

My point is, if building a new machine, put a new OS on it.

 

No doubt. In fact, for Internet browsing a suitable i3 or i5 and motherboard with decent integrated graphics will be plenty (with an ample amount of RAM to minimize spooling to the slow Page File).

 

Thanks Bill and Arie. I'm keeping this post open for a bit longer as I'm getting good info.
For example, I'm leaning to Windows 8 now as I've got to learn the new system sooner or later and I appreciate the additional info. on Win. 8 being "faster and more secure ".

Regarding a video card, and I do want to use one with at least 2 GB of ram, you both seem to agree that something like the $179 card Arie recommended (I've bookmarked it) would be as good as a $1,000 card, for my uses. I won't be saying money is no object again In checking out best buys per price range on Tom's, The AMD Radion HD7950 Boost, with 3 GB at $295 looked like good bang for the bucks. Now, I'll check out the EVGA board, too. Thanks again as this is ALL very helpful and I will mark the thread solved as soon as new good info. dries-up.

 

... If I had a spare ~$40,000 (USD), I'd plug in four Firepro V9800s to drive two-dozen Dell U3011s (30-inchers). And yes, Windows 7 supports 24 displays.