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[TheBoy]

As Kevin eluded to, make sure any modern PC has the ports you need. Many come without serial and parallel ports now. PCI slots are decreasing in number as well.

[Marks DTM Calib]

I need it to last 6-7 years idealy, which is how long the last one has lasted (it could actualy be longer and hence why I aim higher up the spec ladder on first purchase).

I need a single PCI port and my newly aquired  prom programmer is USB 

[TheBoy]

I need it to last 6-7 years idealy, which is how long the last one has lasted (it could actualy be longer and hence why I aim higher up the spec ladder on first purchase).

I need a single PCI port and my newly aquired  prom programmer is USB 

In 6-7yrs time, even the fatest Extremes available now will be virtually unusable. I use a 6/7yr old desktop for my electronics work (due to right ports, not available on most modern PCs). Its a fast-ish P4 (3Ghz, Intel D865PERL board, 1G RAM, Win98 and XP dual boot). Its unusably slow imho.  Hence why I normally would suggest going more modest (cheaper) spec, and replace earlier - the overall cost will work out the same, or cheaper, but over the entire life of the 2 systems, it will always be fast enough (for general use), whereas the more expensive one will start to become tedious at the end of the same timespan.

Additionally, it means you aren't tied into a system should a new piece of killer/must have processor technology come along - previous examples have been 64bit, VT and HT etc

If that makes sense?





However, if you want the faster one now, to be honest, most of the i7 chips (though check the specific one on Intel's site, as under the new naming standard, all i7's (and i5s and i3s) have different features enabled. Its really confusing, and you can't just think that a faster i& is better than a slower i7 (the processor number gives a clue to perfromance though).

Additionally, some have dual channel memory controllers (the memory controller is on the CPU, rather than in the MCH now), some are tri channel. Make sure you bear that in mind, as its better to run in dual (or tri, depnding on CPU) mode than single channel.

Lastly, its entirely feasible, in 5/6/7yrs time that 4Gb will not be enough. Ensure the system can take a decent amount.  I would suggest that up to 8Gb should be more than enough, unless you are planning on using tools such as VMWare or Virtual PC etc.

[TheBoy]

I need it to last 6-7 years idealy, which is how long the last one has lasted (it could actualy be longer and hence why I aim higher up the spec ladder on first purchase).

I need a single PCI port and my newly aquired  prom programmer is USB 

As an aside, have you ever managed to get certain programmers to work under XP?

[Kevin Wood]

Having enough grunt to run virtual machines I find very handy for the few Windows applications I need to run, especially when they insist on taking over the whole machine, and especially if they need Win 2K. I keep meaning to try opening up the parallel port to a VM to see if my EPROM programmer still works through it - in case the old laptop I currently use dies.

Not sure how long my last machine lasted. It was a hand-me-down box of discarded bits from my brother (games addict  ). I think it had an Athlon XP 1900+ in.

Kevin

[TheBoy]

Having enough grunt to run virtual machines I find very handy for the few Windows applications I need to run, especially when they insist on taking over the whole machine, and especially if they need Win 2K. I keep meaning to try opening up the parallel port to a VM to see if my EPROM programmer still works through it - in case the old laptop I currently use dies.

Not sure how long my last machine lasted. It was a hand-me-down box of discarded bits from my brother (games addict  ). I think it had an Athlon XP 1900+ in.

Kevin

Generally, if the device (in lpt or com port) is intelligent, and the PC talks to it in a 'normal' way, it will virtualise.  Generally, if the app controls the port lines directly to control a dumber device, you're up a narrow, smelly inlet, in search of an oar...

[cem_devecioglu]

a chain is as strong as its weakest part..

dont ignore ssd disks..

[Marks DTM Calib]

I need it to last 6-7 years idealy, which is how long the last one has lasted (it could actualy be longer and hence why I aim higher up the spec ladder on first purchase).

I need a single PCI port and my newly aquired  prom programmer is USB 

In 6-7yrs time, even the fatest Extremes available now will be virtually unusable. I use a 6/7yr old desktop for my electronics work (due to right ports, not available on most modern PCs). Its a fast-ish P4 (3Ghz, Intel D865PERL board, 1G RAM, Win98 and XP dual boot). Its unusably slow imho.  Hence why I normally would suggest going more modest (cheaper) spec, and replace earlier - the overall cost will work out the same, or cheaper, but over the entire life of the 2 systems, it will always be fast enough (for general use), whereas the more expensive one will start to become tedious at the end of the same timespan.

Additionally, it means you aren't tied into a system should a new piece of killer/must have processor technology come along - previous examples have been 64bit, VT and HT etc

If that makes sense?





However, if you want the faster one now, to be honest, most of the i7 chips (though check the specific one on Intel's site, as under the new naming standard, all i7's (and i5s and i3s) have different features enabled. Its really confusing, and you can't just think that a faster i& is better than a slower i7 (the processor number gives a clue to perfromance though).

Additionally, some have dual channel memory controllers (the memory controller is on the CPU, rather than in the MCH now), some are tri channel. Make sure you bear that in mind, as its better to run in dual (or tri, depnding on CPU) mode than single channel.

Lastly, its entirely feasible, in 5/6/7yrs time that 4Gb will not be enough. Ensure the system can take a decent amount.  I would suggest that up to 8Gb should be more than enough, unless you are planning on using tools such as VMWare or Virtual PC etc.

What you have to consider is that I am only upgrading because its pretty much worn out.

[TheBoy]

On the face of it (forgetting that Windows does tend to self destruct itself with time), an PC bought 7yrs ago should run as well now as it did then, assuming running the same, old software as when bought (it will be a bit slower, as many security patches and certainly all AV and anti malware will need more resources that they did previously).

I would agree, yours (going by age) is at end of its life, but whats worn out about it? If you are happy with it, is it worth perservering with it - I can probably help you out if you need any bits.  I don't think thats the way to go, but is another option...

[Mysteryman]

On the face of it (forgetting that Windows does tend to self destruct itself with time), an PC bought 7yrs ago should run as well now as it did then, assuming running the same, old software as when bought (it will be a bit slower, as many security patches and certainly all AV and anti malware will need more resources that they did previously).

I would agree, yours (going by age) is at end of its life, but whats worn out about it? If you are happy with it, is it worth perservering with it - I can probably help you out if you need any bits.  I don't think thats the way to go, but is another option...

The PC I am on now is at least five years old and is as good as the day I

[size=24]BANG![/size]

[cem_devecioglu]

On the face of it (forgetting that Windows does tend to self destruct itself with time), an PC bought 7yrs ago should run as well now as it did then, assuming running the same, old software as when bought (it will be a bit slower, as many security patches and certainly all AV and anti malware will need more resources that they did previously).

I would agree, yours (going by age) is at end of its life, but whats worn out about it? If you are happy with it, is it worth perservering with it - I can probably help you out if you need any bits.  I don't think thats the way to go, but is another option...

The PC I am on now is at least five years old and is as good as the day I

[size=24]BANG![/size]

 

[Martin_1962]

Well I rebuilt the PC in 2008 with new components icluding a quad core chip - the new MB has

Serial
Parallel
12 USB
6 SATA (I think)
2 IDE - enough for floppy, old hard drive and DVD burner
FIrewire
Ethernet
7 channel sound

and was about £65

I rate Samsung HDDs for home use - very quiet

[Marks DTM Calib]

On the face of it (forgetting that Windows does tend to self destruct itself with time), an PC bought 7yrs ago should run as well now as it did then, assuming running the same, old software as when bought (it will be a bit slower, as many security patches and certainly all AV and anti malware will need more resources that they did previously).

I would agree, yours (going by age) is at end of its life, but whats worn out about it? If you are happy with it, is it worth perservering with it - I can probably help you out if you need any bits.  I don't think thats the way to go, but is another option...

Power switch on the case is goosed
Graphics card is playing up (suspect its the mother board socket)
DVD drive is goosed
Keyboard and mouse getting a bit tempramental

[Kevin Wood]

Another way to look at it - aim for the highest spec you can get without paying a disproportionate premium for being at the "bleeding edge".

Kevin

[TheBoy]

On the face of it (forgetting that Windows does tend to self destruct itself with time), an PC bought 7yrs ago should run as well now as it did then, assuming running the same, old software as when bought (it will be a bit slower, as many security patches and certainly all AV and anti malware will need more resources that they did previously).

I would agree, yours (going by age) is at end of its life, but whats worn out about it? If you are happy with it, is it worth perservering with it - I can probably help you out if you need any bits.  I don't think thats the way to go, but is another option...

Power switch on the case is goosed
Graphics card is playing up (suspect its the mother board socket)
DVD drive is goosed
Keyboard and mouse getting a bit tempramental

LOL, case is one thing I lack spare (else I wouldn't be using a bloody great full tower for my 'electronics' PC)
Could certainly give you a mobo (probably 865 or 875 chipset (depending what I have)) with cpu (p4 > 2.6G) and enough RAM for XP.
Keyboard/Mice, wired ones are 2 a penny, again not sure what I have, but bet the mice are all ball ones.
Same with DVD drives, though if you use a lot, buy new drive.