Ask CHIP

ASK CHIP !!

Send your questions to drchip@chip.in.

Do mention your machine configuration, operating system and other details like Internet bandwidth.

[Q] Hello Dr CHIP, I upgraded my computer last year to an Intel Q6600 2.4 GHz processor, an Intel DG35 motherboard, 2 GB RAM, a 160 GB hard disk, Windows XP 2002 SP3 (completely updated) and I am using McAfee Antivirus v13.0. But my computer is still very slow and it takes a lot of time to open programs. Please tell me how I can increase my computer's speed. Also tell me if my configuration is not good enough, if I should overclock my CPU and if there is any harm in doing it.

– Eshan Sharma

[A] Hi Eshan. The configuration of your machine is good enough and it shouldn't be slow unless you have lots of programs that are launched during startup and keep running in the background. Go to 'Start | Run...', type 'msconfig' and press [Enter]. Try removing unnecessary items from the 'Startup' section. Also go to the 'Services' tab, check the 'Hide All Microsoft Services', and disable the ones that you don't need running in the background. Make sure that you don't disable any item required by the antivirus software. This should solve your problem.

Overclocking the CPU is possible, but not advisable unless you can measure minute improvements such as in games. Applications will not benefit from the processor being overclocked.

[Q] Sir, I want to upgrade my system (AMD or Intel CPU + motherboard + HDD). My budget is up to Rs 5,500.  Please guide me.                       

– Shreedhar

[A] Hi Shreedhar, for a tight budget of Rs 5,500 for a motherboard, processor and hard drive we recommend the following entry-level components:

Asus P5KPL-VM/CM (Intel G31 chipset)

Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2180

160 GB SATA hard drive (Seagate/Hitachi/Western Digital)

[Q] Hello, I am planning to purchase a non-IGP AMD motherboard, and my budget is around Rs 5,000 to Rs 5,500. I am also planning to buy an AMD CPU and my budget for that is around Rs 4,000. Which would be the best in this range? I like the AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+. What would you say about Athlon 64 CPUs? Also, would a Sony or LG DVD writer be better?

–Abid Rahim

[A] Hi Abid, apart from AMD 790X and 790 FX chipset based motherboards, there are no other chipsets that are purely non-IGP. With a budget of Rs 5,000 to Rs 5,500, a motherboard based on the 780G or GeForce 8200 chipsets would be the best option. The AMD Athlon 64 X2 range of processors is good value for money, but we suggest you wait for some time and go for the Phenom II triple-core processor.

The LG GSA-H55N DVD writer is a good buy.

[Q] Hello CHIP. I need a good gaming computer (to play games like Bioshock, Call of Duty, Top Spin and so on). Please suggest the best configuration. My budget is Rs 45,000 to 50,000.

- Nikhil Natu

[A] Hello Nikhil. A configuration you can opt for is as follows: AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ CPU (2.90 GHz), Abit AN-78HD motherboard, 2x 1 GB Zion DDR2-800 MHz RAM, Western Digital Caviar Blue  320 GB SATA hard drive, Sparkle 9600 GSO - 384 MB graphics card, LG GSA-H55N DVD writer, ViewSonic VA1716w 17-inch TFT monitor, Microsoft Desktop 500 keyboard and mouse combo, Logitech X-240 2.1 stereo speakers, Cooler Master Elite 340 cabinet and Cooler Master Extreme Power 460W power supply unit. The total cost would be around Rs 35,000.

Or, you could go for an Intel Core 2 Duo E7300 (2.53 GHz) CPU, Gigabyte EP43-DS3L motherboad, 2x 2 GB Kingston DDR2-800 MHz RAM, Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500 GB SATA hard drive, Zotac 9600 GT Amp 512 MB graphics card, LG GSA-H55N DVD writer, Dell 1909W 19-inch TFT monitor, Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 keyboard, Logitech MX518 mouse, Logitech X-540 5.1 speakers, NZXT Alpha Black x3Px32   cabinet and Cooler Master Extreme Power 500W power supply for a total of around Rs 52,000.

Note: The prices above are approximate and will differ from city to city. Check with the dealer in your area for availability and the latest prices. You can find recommended PC configurations for different machines in CHIP, updated every month. You can also refer to the Market Watch section and create your own configuration.