Well, as Baltic Trader created the occasion by opening the thread...
Monitor / Screen:
For all users, this is the *most* important piece of all equipments while using our computers. In reality, we don't work on computers, as computers work by themselves; but we simply look all the times to the monitor. Unique intellectual user interface with the comp. If you are especially a "visual type", most care and money to be invested on. More longevity too between other components, a quality monitor choice bring comfort, eliminate some eventual --strains against eyes etc. troubles. ... In monitor domain "Bigger is Better". CRT (Cathod Ray Tube) monitors approaching the end of their lives, so a min. 19" LCD from a respectable label must occupy the first line of a future command list.
Printer:
Todays, all known companies of Printer domain are lowering the prices in a such degree that thay begun to make them gift after a buy of a new computer. Really, buying an HP 1510 All-in-One to 90$ is just a cookie; but one begin to understand the hint, when the time arrive for replacing the cartridges. As for Sony's PSP, selling the equipment with a calculated loss to earn from consumption goodies thereafter... So if you deal with more B/W as printed matter, it will be wise to invest to a monochrome laser. If afforded for color work too... The prices of color laser printers are not only for corporations, these days.
Hard Disk/s:
Still the weakest link of the chain, most fragile of all the elements too. The days of these HD's with rotating platters, are numbered however. In 2 or 3 years we will see some static HD's as today's Memory Sticks, with *much* more storage room. Already, Gigabyte is working / improving on some interesting solutions, as cards for PCI slots that use RAM modules as storage devices.... Horizontal or vertical disposition of actual HD's does not matter; simply protect them from impacts (especially while running), and keep them *always* cool. Bigger is not better --if not needed--, but SCSI is better; if afforded.
http://www.storagereview.com/
RAM Modules:
An actual home gaming and multimedia machine must have 1 GB of RAM... This is today's standard. With Microsoft Vista and the requirements of next years' programs, 2 GB will become the next standard. While checking their "delicate" compatibility with different label / models of processors and mainboards=> Faster is Better, there. My preference order is Corsair-> Kingston->Twinmos. OCZ and Gail too, are respectable labels.
Edit: UPS:
Nearly forgotten the mandatory accompaniment of an Uninterrupted Power Supply. Not only a life-saver while a power failure occurs, but with its voltage regulation circuitries (some models), it contributes to the well-being of the whole system. The choice option is also quasi-mandatory: APC.
If you stay for hours in front of your monitor, a good-designed ergonomic chair and table, must be considered. Please take special care to place your monitor-keyboard-mice trio *on the same level* to contain risks of carpal-tunnel-syndrome etc.
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For our everyday usage... Never fill your machine with a "discload" of programs, especially those so-called optimizers, cleaners, accelerators etc... Please don't forget, every program in your computer is an element to slow down your routines. Don't believe to the miracles or "arranged" reviews somewhere in internet or PC Magazines. Some magazines are confirmed to recommend many moderate equipment as best product (those Editor's Choices...bah!) after receiving some donations(!)..... Make your program(s) trial(s) just prior to formatting your machine, because even you uninstall the programs, numerous remnants continues to reside in the registry etc. that causes to you to lose many MHz of your CPU for nothing. I saw many times those Registry optimizers have slowed down more, booting times; ---or some defragmenters are aggravating HD activity etc.
Computer in general:
http://anandtech.com/
http://www.hothardware.com/
http://www.xbitlabs.com/
http://techreport.com/
Favourite Forums:
http://www.ocforums.com/
http://hardforum.com/
http://episteme.arstechnica.com/
For Hardware Fans:
http://www.mvktech.net/
For us, nocturnal people:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/
http://www.endpcnoise.com/
Mayor of Smyrna, Izmir-Türkei