Why do most people forget the most important part when speccing a new build?

glenimp617

glenimp617

glenimp617

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over 90% of the 'Spec me a PC for £XXX' threads fail to include the most important part

when someone says, spec me a new PC because my five year old one has just died, hardly anyone includes this part

Can you guess what it is?
 
:D at some of the replies...........the permission from the mrs is a good one.

The answer is..................The Operating System (I see more specs missing this out than any other component).

Your new computer won't function without one. It's a vital component and needs adding into the build as much as any other part. Yes they could also miss out the Mouse Mat, or a set of speakers but at the end of the day a system won't work without an OS.

There's always the age old argument that the person asking for a spec has a retail copy, but they're as likely to have RAM or a HDD as they are the OS.

No? Why not

Why do 'speccers' always miss this out? do they automatically assume they have an OS and if so why?

Is it because it's software and therefore deemed not as important? or are people still doing the you know what

If someone asks to spec a complete new system, and nobody asked the OP what they already have (monitor, keyboard, mouse) I would at the very least assume they don't have an OS unless they state that they already do.

There's a saying among the IT workforce, some of you no doubt will have heard it mentioned at the office. Assumption is the mother of all......
 
I forgot to mention that probably the most popular OS at the minute (being Windows 7 OEM Home Premium) is around £80 so not a cheap thing to be leaving out
 
Strawberry said:
The CPU?

........no idea.

Imo spec'ing an OS has nothing to do with spec'ing a PC since the OS is just software not hardware, and we all know where software comes from.

Thermal compound sounds more like it, personally I always have some at hand for whenever I need it. (I've used thermal compound and epoxy for more than just PCs)
Seems like something that the average newcomer might forget though.
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is this the main reason do we think? I did have my doubts when I made the post. No doubt some people look and think "£80 for Windows!!, that's another 4GB of RAM"

I have ALWAYS made sure my system has a legit copy of the OS (at the very least). Don't know if its the same for most, but I can't be doing without the hassle of seeing if my Windows Updates still work
 
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Corasik said:
There are far less choices with the OS than anything else, so most people assume that the person asking either has an OS, or knows what they want anyway.

They either have or want windows... Or already know to download linux or solaris... Really whats the point in "speccing" windows.... the vast majority of people asking for specs are looking for performance/price. I guess they should mention if they need to leave budget for windows :P
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It's the 'assuming' part I don't like. If people are saying spec me a PC for £700 when they actually have £800 to spend (intending to buy windows anyway) then fair enough, so long as I know.....which I don't :D
 
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