1. DDz Quorum Friar Posted May 3, 2009 1. DDz Quorum Share Posted May 3, 2009 Yesterday, whilst disscussing the family financial situation and other thinks, I happened to comment to my wife about the age of our system and the problems we have been having (blue screens and freezes, also the printer is starting to die) and that I may have to do a re, ref, (come on friar you can say it, deep breath now......) reformat, there, I said it!, bless her cotten socks she says "could you get a new one?", "oh" says me, "I suppose we could.........." So the point of this rambling post is, do any of the UK guys know of any good packages / can offer a good reccomendations to a machine/package that would give me a new flat screen (of decent size), printer, and good machine for gaming, before I start trawling the net.....oh, and the budget £1000!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blairgowrie Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 I would most definitely have one of the Dogz build it for you. That way you would have control of all the parts that go into it. I seem to recall a fellow from Devon offer to do this for you on TS last night but maybe he was drinking like I was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1. DDz Quorum B16Enk Posted May 3, 2009 1. DDz Quorum Share Posted May 3, 2009 Nice budget Check out scan.co.uk and overclockers.co.uk for bundles and components, the latter is my preferred supplier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1. DDz Quorum B16Enk Posted May 3, 2009 1. DDz Quorum Share Posted May 3, 2009 Gives you some idea of what your budget will get you: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-062-OE&groupid=43&catid=1184&subcat= That is a pre-built system, 500Gb HD 4Gb RAM and adding an ATI 4870 1024 GPU bumps the price up to £514.98 inc VAT Leaves you with a fair bit of flexibility on monitor choice and operating system (plus keyboard and mouse if required). To buy the components listed and assemble yourself would cost: £546.89 And that doesn't include thermal grease, or the one year on site and return to base warranty... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1. DDz Quorum Friar Posted May 3, 2009 Author 1. DDz Quorum Share Posted May 3, 2009 what about choice of OS... stick with xp pro or go the vista route, if so which flavour...home, home prem, 32bit, 64 bit ?.. I can this developing into a confusing thread.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gec Posted May 3, 2009 Share Posted May 3, 2009 i would keep the xp till windows 7 come. hopefully in the second half of 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1. DDz Quorum B16Enk Posted May 3, 2009 1. DDz Quorum Share Posted May 3, 2009 If you want the full 4Gb RAM available then you will want a 64bit OS, so either Vista or Server 2008 (the latter is free for 240 days and should suffice until Windows 7 is released). You could run the Beta, or the soon to be released RC of Windows 7.. Avoid XP64 bit IMHO. Personally I would not buy a Vista license right now, I'm not overly happy with it personally and Windows 7 is a better OS, the 2008 is a valid option but will require some learning (mind you so does Vista) to get the best out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DD_Brando Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 I'm in agreement with Roger's direction of thought here. I've used Overclockers for years now (even have an account with them) and I've been 99% happy with their offerings. I had an RMA quibble once, but a politely-worded complaint coupled with a reminder of my status as a client did the trick. The build that Rog linked to looks good, except that the case looks a tad small to me. I've always been a fan of larger cases as offering better airflow. But this offering may be too good to resist? I took a quick gaze around at the monitors they are selling currently, and this one jumped out at me - a 24" Iiyama I would happily recommend this as being a very good monitor, made by a company with an utterly 1st class reputation. As BG reminded me, I will happily construct you a rig and get it running right. For the moment I would stick with XP pro 32 bit for an OS. Windows 7 will take a while for the bugs to be ironed out. I wouldn't want to get into recommending particular mobos or chipsets, etc. My experience is not currently with the 'bleeding edge' stuff, but I can assemble anything you care to throw at me. B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T_O_A_D Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 I'd do as Roger is saying, and one more thing, dual boot xp and server 2008 that way you can still have the reliable XP you are familiar with and still play with Server 2008 for fun and knew knowledge or if you must dual boot with vista, for the same reasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1. DDz Quorum B16Enk Posted May 4, 2009 1. DDz Quorum Share Posted May 4, 2009 Mmm, Ross you devil you. I have an itch to buy that monitor now.. Good call Toad, dual boot would be a good thing to try so the 3.5Gb cap can be mitigated and as confidence in 2008/Vista grows then a switch over is easy. For what it's worth, 2008 has more in common with Windows 7 than Vista I think, certainly some of the info I have read on Technet indicates that is Microsoft's take. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta7 Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 here is what i have done the last 2 times 1) buy computer buyer mag - it has decent reviews and loads of adverts for sellers, you may find something you like http://www.computerbuyer.co.uk/ e.g. http://www.computerbuyer.co.uk/reviews/242691/pc-specialist-apollo-q8200-gtx.html this will give you a good idea of wha tyou get for should expect for your money 2) make a wish list of components - what motherboard, processor, graphics, memory , monitor I want 3) revise wish list to make it realistic with budget Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zooly Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 Windows 7 gets released on October 23, 5 months to go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2. Administrators Jabo Posted May 4, 2009 2. Administrators Share Posted May 4, 2009 Windows 7 gets released on October 23, 5 months to go LOL, yeah same as BoB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1. DDz Quorum Friar Posted May 8, 2009 Author 1. DDz Quorum Share Posted May 8, 2009 what would you guys say to this.... intel 2 quad core q8200 processor 2.33ghz 4mb cache 1333mhz fsb vista home premium 32bit sp1 4gb 800mhz ddr2 23" widescreen hd monitor 500gb hard drive 256mb ati radeon hd 3650 graphics dvd +/- rw integrated 7.1 channel high def audio your thoughts please...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gec Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 GPU could be better. Ati 4850 HD are quite cheap and much better than 3650. the rest is ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1. DDz Quorum B16Enk Posted May 8, 2009 1. DDz Quorum Share Posted May 8, 2009 What is the purchase price on that Colin? The 38 series cards are weak, the ati 48 I posted is much better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2. Administrators Jabo Posted May 8, 2009 2. Administrators Share Posted May 8, 2009 4850 retails at around the £130 mark, but bear in mind that's with 1GB of gfx memory not 512MB. 3850 which is much less widely available now is around £50 - £100 for a 512MB card. Just for comparisons sake a 1GB 4890 can be had for less than £200 (£199.27 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blairgowrie Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 Use this link to check out your video card Colin. http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=370&card2=25# What is the make and size of PSU? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1. DDz Quorum Friar Posted May 8, 2009 Author 1. DDz Quorum Share Posted May 8, 2009 as a starting point I looked at those supplied by dell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DD_Brando Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 GPU could be better. Ati 4850 HD are quite cheap and much better than 3650. the rest is ok. Agreed. You need at least 512Mb graphics memory - more would be better. B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1. DDz Quorum Friar Posted May 10, 2009 Author 1. DDz Quorum Share Posted May 10, 2009 how about this one I have just tracked down...Your thoughts please gentlemen..... Supplier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1. DDz Quorum Sid Posted May 10, 2009 1. DDz Quorum Share Posted May 10, 2009 I have no problems recommending 'pcspecialist' Friar as that is where I got this one from. They are a little slow in answering queries by email but a phone call is dealt with there and then. I found their price competitive and the components on offer reliable (in the last 18 months anyway). As to the spec that is another persons input..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1. DDz Quorum Friar Posted May 10, 2009 Author 1. DDz Quorum Share Posted May 10, 2009 thanks for that sid, they seem to have good testimonials on the site but you never can tell, a solid recomendation from someone who has used a company is priceless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gec Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 everything is great except the GPU again could you ask them to put another graphic card inside? something like Ati HD4850, HD4870 or Nvidia 9800 or GTS250 how about this one: Processor (CPU) AMD ATHLON™ 64 X2 7750+ (2.7GHz) BLACK EDITION (Socket AM2+) Memory (RAM) 4GB CORSAIR XMS2 800MHz - LIFETIME WARRANTY! (2x2GB) Motherboard ASUS® M4N78: DUAL DDR2, S-ATA II, PCIe x16, 2 x PCIe x1, 3 x PCI Operating System Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium 64 bit Edition + SP1, CD & Licence (£84) USB Options 6 x USB 2.0 PORTS (4 REAR + 2 FRONT) AS STANDARD Memory - 1st Hard Disk 500GB SERIAL ATA 3-Gb/s HARD DRIVE WITH 8MB CACHE (7,200rpm) 2nd Hard Disk NONE RAID (HDD 1 & 2) NONE 1st CD/DVD Drive 22x DUAL LAYER LIGHTSCRIBE DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM 2nd CD/DVD Drive NONE Graphics Card 1GB ATI RADEON™ HD 4870 PCI EXPRESS 2nd Graphics Card NONE Sound Card ONBOARD 8 CHANNEL (7.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD) Modem NONE, I WILL BE USING BROADBAND Network Facilities ONBOARD 10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT Memory Card Reader INTERNAL 52 IN 1 CARD READER (READS XD, MS, CF, SD, etc) Case STYLISH SILVER/BLACK TRIDENT CASE + 2 FRONT USB Power Supply & Case Cooling 600W Quiet Quad Rail PSU + 120mm Case Fan (£58) Processor Cooling STANDARD CPU COOLER Warranty 1 Year Return-to-Base incl 1st Month Free Collect & Return Delivery STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI) Build Time Standard Build - Approximately 7 to 9 working days Quantity 1 £637 inc VAT and Delivery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta7 Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 that looks a nice spec - good motherboard etc. and has intel processor which I prefer to AMD Graphics will easily handle il2. Not the latest card but more than enough for most purposes. by the time bob etc comes out the latest graphics will be half their current price so its an easy upgrade if needed- this is a good article that will give you an idea of what to expect for your money http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-geforce-gtx,2270.html s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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