Seeing manlove's thread reminded i should clean this machine up, so i set about the usual rounds with the various system tools that have always served me well. However, this time there appears to be feck all difference in performance, if anything a couple of programs appear to be having more issues.
It also failed to fix my issues with logging into things like my internet banking, ebay and paypal, which is rapidly becoming a massive pita.
So, i've decided it's high time for a NEW computer, and one at a decent spec this time. I used to be pretty up on what components were best, but i haven't really paid attention to any of that for the last five or so years so i'm horribly out of date and need advice. Last time i was speccing up dual-core processors were still top-notch stuff lol. I've never been impressed by Intel so would prefer an AMD-based package, but i'm open to influence on that.
I don't need anything particularly special - i don't do gaming and only really use it for media and browsing at the moment. In future it'd need to be able to run some more complex stuff like CAD-based programs, mapping software and simulators, but nothing too demanding. I would rather buy individual components and build it myself, unless someone knows of something to suit my requirements that's easily upgradeable in future.
My budget is theoretically unlimited, but i want to keep the cost as low as possible, for the time-being at least. I know my processing requirements won't be high yet, so can skimp a bit there in exchange for spending more on the ram for instance, then upgrade the processor when necessary.
All advice, suggestions and pontifications welcomed! Thanks in advance.

So, i've decided it's high time for a NEW computer, and one at a decent spec this time. I used to be pretty up on what components were best, but i haven't really paid attention to any of that for the last five or so years so i'm horribly out of date and need advice. Last time i was speccing up dual-core processors were still top-notch stuff lol. I've never been impressed by Intel so would prefer an AMD-based package, but i'm open to influence on that.
I don't need anything particularly special - i don't do gaming and only really use it for media and browsing at the moment. In future it'd need to be able to run some more complex stuff like CAD-based programs, mapping software and simulators, but nothing too demanding. I would rather buy individual components and build it myself, unless someone knows of something to suit my requirements that's easily upgradeable in future.
My budget is theoretically unlimited, but i want to keep the cost as low as possible, for the time-being at least. I know my processing requirements won't be high yet, so can skimp a bit there in exchange for spending more on the ram for instance, then upgrade the processor when necessary.
All advice, suggestions and pontifications welcomed! Thanks in advance.
