If you are going to be doing some upgrades

to your desktop computer be sure to ground yourself before you begin working on your computer. A simple jolt of static electricity can be more than enough to fry your motherboard. If you do not ground yourself, you will be putting your whole system at risk.

Carefully look at any add-ons

that come with the desktop computer that you want to buy. Many computer stores offer extra accessories with the purchase. Only purchase that which is necessary. In addition, be aware that you can get a lot of add-ons elsewhere at a lower price. Normally, add-ons purchased from computer manufacturers cost more.

Take an audit of your uses for a desktop computer before buying one.

This is important so that you can really understand how much power you really need. More power means more money. If super powerful desktop won’t be of any real use to you, why shell out the additional funds?

Measure the area in which you plan to place your computer.

Depending on brand or model, they will require different amounts of space. Some are small, but others take up much more space. Know exactly what will fit into the space you want to put it.

Always get a warranty with a new computer.

This is especially important if there are any software issues or if anything else would fail making the computer unusable. Depending on the warranty that comes with it, you may be able to simply return it and get a replacement in hours.

Which processor you need

depends on what you want to do with your computer. If you aren’t sure, then you are likely better off with something cheaper and less powerful, such as an i3 or i5. If you are playing video games, go for something bigger like an i7 instead.

Does the computer have adequate memory?

When it comes to desktop computers, memory is key. You will want to store as much data as possible on your computer. Do you enjoy taking plenty of photographs? These questions are important when you have a computer and are looking to get exactly what you want.

Though you may be intimidated by the prospect, it really does pay to verify that you have actually received the equipment for which you bargained. It is not uncommon for unscrupulous sellers to fudge the statistics on a computer’s processor or memory. Therefore, it is important to perform a real inspection yourself.

If you’re a gamer

looking for a new desktop computer, check computer requirements on the games you want to play. That way, you’ll be sure to have the right computer for the games you are going to play. You can also check with gaming sites and forums to see which computers stand up best with regards to games.

Do not miss out on your dream computer

because you’re waiting for the price to drop. Many people watch deals when they get into the desktop computer buying market. However, they don’t do anything, as they think they can get a good deal soon. In most instances, the difference will be small, so once you find the right machine, jump on it.

If you are buying used,

make sure to check the computer first. Plug it in, turn it on and see if you can go online. Test the speed of the computer and make sure everything is working properly. Unless you have the patience and time to send the computer back and wait for a refund, do not buy used online.

Find out what kind of support you get with the desktop computer you wish to purchase. You need to know this in case you encounter an issue with your purchase. Find out what their hours are and what days they are closed. You also need to know if they are available by phone, email, chat, etc.

Will you want to create CDs or DVDs? When you want a permanent backup of your computer files, backing up to DVDs is a great choice. If you don’t mind having a more fallible backup system, you can always just use an external hard drive instead. This will determine if you need a DVD burner or not.

Consider buying a refurbished computer. Refurbished computers can preform as well as new computers. They can also save you quite a bit of money. If you choose to purchase a refurbished computer, make sure you are buying it from a reputable vendor. Make sure it has a return policy in case it isn’t in the promised condition.

If you do not have a lot of money to invest in a new desktop computer, you should think about purchasing one that has been refurbished. Many times these computers have all of the things you would get in a new computer. The only difference is that it may be an older version.

Ports on your computer can be very confusing, so it may help to label them as soon as you successfully set it up. Use small pieces of tape to identify “printer” and other ports, so that you don’t have to play guessing games from then on. Many ports look the same, but serve different purposes so labeling them can avoid confusion.

If your plan is to buy a computer for a young student, don’t waste your money on the fastest, most powerful machine. Instead, buy something simple and affordable as they’ll likely do little more with it than watch online videos, surf the web and complete their homework, so you can save money.

With so much great information available to you, you shouldn’t struggle with the purchase of a new desktop computer ever again. Just take your time as you peruse your options to ensure you get the best computer available. In the end, the more time you dedicate to your search, the better the results.