Upgrading my desktop after 11 years using Windows XP

[rebben]

The end of Microsoft's support for Windows XP has prompted me to upgrade my desktop computer which I have used for the last 11 years. I have been attracted to PC Specialist after reading in Which? Computing magazine that it let's you choose to have Windows 7 pre-installed rather than Windows 8.

I mainly use my desktop for e-mailing, storing photos & videos and web-browsing including watching videos on You-tube. I also use WORD and EXCEL. I'm not a gamer. My current desktop started life with 256MB of memory which was upgraded to 768 MB about 5 years ago. It has a 2.39 GHZ processor so I have become accustomed to its struggling performance in recent years! I expect my new desktop will easily perform much faster. I would also like it to be reasonably "future-proof" in terms of the ever increasing appetite for RAM.

I have put together this spec based upon reading the Which? Computing guide to buying a new desktop and after reading the guidance on this site. However some of the choices are beyond my computing knowledge. For example, I think I'd like 1TB of hard drive space but I'm not sure what the difference is between the various 1TB hard drives available.

I'm also not sure what to select with respect to "wireless". Currently I don't use wireless as I prefer to avoid it but would like to have the option of using it at some point in the future if I choose to.

I've selected the Office SUITE 365 trial but I'm not sure if I'll be able to transfer WORD and EXCEL from my current Windows XP Pro computer to my new one.

This spec cost £484.00. I'm prepared to pay more if it would be worth it to "future-proof" my new desktop and improve the performance I would get from my general day to day usage. Equally I don't want to pay for things that I won't use.

I would be very grateful for any advice and/or comments on this spec. Many thanks in advance.

Case
STYLISH PIANO BLACK ENIGMA MICRO-ATX CASE + 2 FRONT USB
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i5 Quad Core Processor i5-4670 (3.4GHz) 6MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS® H81M-PLUS: Micro-ATX, LG1150, USB 3.0, SATA 6GBs
Memory (RAM)
8GB KINGSTON DUAL-DDR3 1600MHz (1 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
INTEGRATED GRAPHICS ACCELERATOR (GPU)
1st Hard Disk
500GB 3.5" SATA-III 6GB/s HDD 7200RPM 16MB CACHE
1st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Memory Card Reader
INTERNAL 52 IN 1 CARD READER (XD, MS, CF, SD, etc) + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT
Power Supply
CORSAIR 350W VS SERIES™ VS-350 POWER SUPPLY
Processor Cooling
INTEL STANDARD CPU COOLER
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless/Wired Networking
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT - AS STANDARD ON ALL PCs
USB Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 4 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Power Cable
1 x 1 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit w/SP1 - inc DVD & Licence
DVD Recovery Media
Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) DVD with paper sleeve
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft® Office® 365
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 11 to 13 working days
Quantity
1

 

[Boozad]

All I'd recommend is adding an SSD as you primary drive, use it solely for your OS and Office and you'll notice a world of difference in start up speeds and Office applications. Add a 500GB (or 1TB) Caviar Black as your secondary drive and all will be good in the world. The rest of your spec will be fine for your needs and you'll really tell the difference in performance.

 

[TheGeeza]

You could upgrade the warranty to at least silver.

 

[nathanjrb]

You could upgrade the warranty to at least silver.

....and it only costs a 5'er

 

[rebben]

Thank you very much Boozad. I would never have thought of doing that! Sounds great.

 

[Boozad]

I'm also not sure what to select with respect to "wireless". Currently I don't use wireless as I prefer to avoid it but would like to have the option of using it at some point in the future if I choose to.

I've selected the Office SUITE 365 trial but I'm not sure if I'll be able to transfer WORD and EXCEL from my current Windows XP Pro computer to my new one.

Personally I'd stick to a wired connection unless you really have to use wireless, and if so you could always consider homeplugs instead. As for Office (which version do you have?), do you have a product key with your copy? If so, uninstall it from your old machine and you'll be good to install it on your new one. I'd recommend Office 2010 if you can lay your hands on a copy.

Lastly, when you get your new rig and find yourself booting to desktop within 20 seconds and notice just how quick the thing is, please come back and let us know how amazed you are with the difference!

 

[rebben]

Thank you so much once again Boozad for your advice. It's extremely reassuring. Happily I have found the CD disc with the product key for the Office suite that came with my current computer. I'm really looking forward to my new rig. I'll definitely let you know what I think. Sounds like I won't have time to make a brew (as I do now) whilst it loads a new web page!

 

[Boozad]

You're welcome mate. There are some good tips on SSDs here, worth a read through if you're new to them. Enjoy your new rig!

 

[barste]

I'd only bother spending the money on SSD if you are bothered about how fast your PC boots up when you 1st turn on. As you are not going to be a gamer it could be extra expense you don't need. After all the difference between the new rig and you old PC will be massive already. What ever you decide I hope you enjoy!

 

[rebben]

Many, many thanks again for your advice Boozad. My new rig was delivered yesterday and I'm delighted to say is running amazingly well. I think it boots even faster than 20 seconds!

One thing I have noticed when I look in Windows Explorer is that everything (operating system, Microsoft Office, all programs, folders and files are on the SDD called Windows (C: ) whilst the other hard drive, called Local Disk (I: ) with 931GB is entirely empty. Should I simply drag and drop the folders and programmes from (c: ) to (I: ) except for the operating system and Microsoft Office, e.g. the My Documents folder, Music, Videos etc which are all listed under Libraries. I'd just like to be sure before I move anything that I'd be doing the right thing. Thank you in advance.

All I'd recommend is adding an SSD as you primary drive, use it solely for your OS and Office and you'll notice a world of difference in start up speeds and Office applications. Add a 500GB (or 1TB) Caviar Black as your secondary drive and all will be good in the world. The rest of your spec will be fine for your needs and you'll really tell the difference in performance.

 

[Boozad]

First off, have you added any photos or music or videos onto your machine yet? If not I wouldn't move any of the default folders, leave them where they are. What you want to do is start setting up folders on your I: drive, leave your C: drive as empty as you can. It doesn't matter where you place files as Windows will access them no matter, and you can install programs to your I: drive too (create a folder called Programs).
On my SSD I have Windows, my AV suite, Photoshop, Office and a couple of other small programs but I leave it at that. Empty space on an SSD is always a good thing.

Glad you're happy with your machine, I put an SSD into my kids' rig last Saturday (my backup rig) and it now boots in 14 seconds. Great stuff.

EDIT: Any programs that are already installed on the SSD I'd leave there, you can't just drag and drop programs from one destination to another, they have to be uninstalled from the original location and reinstalled in the new location. Feel free to do that if you wish of course. If you need any more help make sure to ask.

 

[rebben]

Thank you so much Boozad. I have already put photos, music and videos into the default folders on my new desktop but I have another two identical desktops to set up for my sisters so will follow your advice w.r.t those and do as you suggest with mine.

Yes, I can't believe the speed at which it shuts down and restarts again. Blink and you almost miss it/wonder if it actually did shut down!

BTW, what does AV suite stand for in your post? I Googled it and it brought up links about some malware which I don't think can be what you mean.

 

[Boozad]

Thank you so much Boozad. I have already put photos, music and videos into the default folders on my new desktop but I have another two identical desktops to set up for my sisters so will follow your advice w.r.t those and do as you suggest with mine.

Right, you can move the files (music, photos and videos) out of the folders as you're taking up space on your SSD, but leave the folders themselves where they are. First off, open you I: drive in Windows Explorer and create three new folders for Music, Photos and Videos.



Then (leaving your I: open in its own window) open Computer > Windows (C: ) > Users > Your Name and you will see your library folders. Go into each each library folder one at a time and select all of the files, then right click on them and drag them to the relevant folder on your I: drive and choose the 'Move here' option. That will move your files to your I: drive which is best used for storage and leave more space free on your SSD, whilst leaving your library folders where they belong. You can add your newly created folders where your files now sit to the library if you want to, it's pretty easy to do.



If you need any more assistance don't hesitate to ask.

Yes, I can't believe the speed at which it shuts down and restarts again. Blink and you almost miss it/wonder if it actually did shut down!

Oh, the speed! It's great isn't it!

BTW, what does AV suite stand for in your post? I Googled it and it brought up links about some malware which I don't think can be what you mean.

Anti Virus program, I'm using F-Secure which is supplied by my internet service provider. You do have an anti virus program installed don't you?

 

[rebben]

Wow, that is really clear and helpful. Thank you so much once again. I will do exactly that. Cheers!

I've downloaded Microsoft Security Essentials and using that as my antivirus.

I have run into a conundrum. When I go to drag the files across to the window on the right hand side showing the I: drive, the icon starts to show, "copy to" but not "move to". When I right click on a file on the left hand window, the only "move to" option in the list is "Move to Dropbox" which I have already downloaded into My Documents. I'm wondering if I uninstall Dropbox, whether another "move to" option will appear.

Could I simply copy everything to the I: drive and delete off the C: drive or will it still take up space on the C: drive? Many, thanks again in advance.

Another query which has come to mind is about downloading programs in future and how to get them into my new Program folder on my I drive. I just downloaded f.lux by saving the download (rather than choosing the 'run') option. Then I dragged it from the download folder to the new program folder and then opened it/ran it. That seems to have worked but I'm wondering if this is the best way to go about future downloads e.g. for Adobe items. Any further advice, very gratefully received.

 

[Boozad]

You'll be good with MSE, a lot of Microsoft Valued Professionals recommend it. If you need any more help be sure to ask, we're here to help!

 

[rebben]

That's reassuring about MSE, thank you. I have run into a conundrum. When I go to drag the files across to the window on the right hand side showing the I: drive, the icon starts to show, "copy to" but not "move to". When I right click on a file on the left hand window, the only "move to" option in the list is "Move to Dropbox" which I have already downloaded into My Documents. I'm wondering if I should uninstall Dropbox and if so whether another "move to" option will appear. Or is there a way to switch it from defaulting to 'copy to' into 'move to'?

Could I simply copy everything to the I: drive and delete off the C: drive or will it still take up space on the C: drive? Many, thanks again in advance.

Another query which has come to mind is about downloading programs in future and how to get them into my new Program folder on my I: drive. I just downloaded f.lux by saving the download (rather than choosing the 'run') option. Then I dragged it from the download folder to the new Program folder and then opened it/ran it. That seems to have worked but I'm wondering if this is the best way to go about future downloads e.g. for Adobe items. Any further advice, very gratefully received.

 

[Boozad]

That's reassuring about MSE, thank you. I have run into a conundrum. When I go to drag the files across to the window on the right hand side showing the I: drive, the icon starts to show, "copy to" but not "move to". When I right click on a file on the left hand window, the only "move to" option in the list is "Move to Dropbox" which I have already downloaded into My Documents. I'm wondering if I should uninstall Dropbox and if so whether another "move to" option will appear. Or is there a way to switch it from defaulting to 'copy to' into 'move to'?

If you right click on the files when you drag and drop instead of left clicking the 'Move here' option should be there then (when you hover over the destination folder). Left clicking and dragging and dropping is 'Copy here' by default, you have to right click and drag and drop. The 'Move to Dropbox' message you're getting I presume is appearing in the context menu that pops up when you quickly right click.

Could I simply copy everything to the I: drive and delete off the C: drive or will it still take up space on the C: drive? Many, thanks again in advance.

You can copy them to the I: drive and then delete them from the C: drive as that will erase them from the C: drive and free up that space, but try the above method first as it's much quicker.

Another query which has come to mind is about downloading programs in future and how to get them into my new Program folder on my I: drive. I just downloaded f.lux by saving the download (rather than choosing the 'run') option. Then I dragged it from the download folder to the new Program folder and then opened it/ran it. That seems to have worked but I'm wondering if this is the best way to go about future downloads e.g. for Adobe items. Any further advice, very gratefully received.

When you install a program the installer should give you the option for which destination the program will be installed. Some programs will give you 'Express install' and 'Advanced/Custom install' radio buttons, the Express install will default install to the C: Programs folder, and will possibly install a load of crapware or PUPs (potentially unwanted programs) that you don't want or need. Always choose Advanced/Custom install, that way you can check what's being installed and guide the install to your I: Programs folder.

 

[rebben]

Ah yes, right clicking works! I hadn't picked up on the distinction between left clicking and right clicking. I must have been left clicking or not releasing the right hand button and noticing the 'Move to' option appearing. This is great, I've moved lots of files over.

I've learnt such a lot from you over the past two days. Thank you very much once again for all your help. I'm really impressed.

 

[Boozad]

You're more than welcome. And if course, if you need any more help or have any more questions feel free to drop by and ask.