New Computer

[HRC99]

Following on from my upgrade on my laptop, my PC at home has finally given up the ghost after many years' decent service so it's time for a new one.

I'm really just after the box itself as we've got the screen, keyboard, mouse etc and I was after some ideas as to where to look for a cheap replacement box.

It is only really used from browsing, itunes and a bit of spreadsheet work so it doesn't have to be anything flash at all. Anyone got any recommendations as to how much I'd need to spend and where to get one?

 

[Basher]

Have a squint on here mate. Not a million miles from you either.
Laptops Direct

By the way, they don't just do laptops!!!

 

[stevie_r]

I reckon avoid the big high street chains, find a small independent repair and parts shop, they generally build systems to suit your requirement. Bit more sensible than buying latest top-spec in PC World and only using a fraction of it's capabilities

 

[brendy]

Check out dell, I have been buying dual core vostro 230T's for 179 plus vat and del and includes windows 7 pro.

 

[ScienceBoy]

What are your requirements?

You can go to a few sites like scan.co.uk, dabs and overclockers to build a basic tower with just the bits you need. (I recommend scan)

If its just for net browsing and basic programs like office and some picture editing a new i3 is good, try and avoid the older series.

If you want to do a little gaming and some more powerful program stuff try an i5, but avoid anything but the 2XXX ones, the 6XX etc series have pretty bad reviews.

If you want an all out gaming power machine the newer i7s are good, nothing much wrong with the older ones either.

Any other questions we are all here to help.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

As a PC Engineer and System Builder, I can tell you straight that your local pc shop will be more expensive than the likes of Dell.

Also its pointless saying that as you only use it for internet and spreadsheets that it doesnt have to be very powerful.

Any machine is going to eventually get overtaken by growing software requirements.(like Internet Security, updates etc) The only thing you can do is to put this off by buying a decent PC to start with.

Basic requirements are an Intel I3 CPU (Second Generation if poss)

4 Gb RAM
500Gb Hard drive
CD/DVD Reader/Writer
Windows 7

See Here http://www.dell.com/uk/p/inspiron-620/fs

The £399 one has all of that plus 15 months of McAfee
It also has its own dedicated graphics card, which means that the PC doesnt need to use any of the system RAM to put the display on the screen. Price includes VAT & delivery

You get what you pay for in this game, and if you go too cheap, then you will either have to upgrade the whole box earlier or pay for extra RAM etc prematurely.

You can go further up the food chain if you wish, but from what you say, this would be a good base unit for you .

PM me if you need any more pointers

Fragger PC Hero to The Gentry

 

[RGDave]

Do yourself a favour and buy a "box" from ebuyer.

I bought an extra value (zoostorm) desktop, an OEM copy of windows 7, and a PCi-E graphics card.

It's an impressive unit, dual core pentium 3.2, 4gb RAM, 940(?)gb HDD. I added an Nvidia card to run HDMI and dual monitor capability.

If you want to know more, send me a PM and I'll give you a full run-down. I "expected" to use the XP mode within Windows 7 pro, but actually all my software works OK.
If I was doing it again, I might be tempted to buy a solid state drive and load windows and my software onto that, intending to store all my "old" documents on the Hard Drive.

Only downside is I couldn't install ubuntu (linux) as a dual boot.

 

[Ethan]

Have you considered a Mac Mini? Basically a box with the HD, OS and chips etc, and you connect your screen, mouse, keyboard and you are away. Great for internet and media and iTunes works much better on Mac. It will also last longer than a PC and be usable for years to come. You can make it a media server when you upgrade.

 

[RGDave]

It will also last longer than a PC and be usable for years to come.

Does a PC have a limited life?

I have a mac mini and a new budget PC, both are exceptionally good. Next to my PC is a 8-9 year old PC running on a single core AMD and 1gb RAM. It has XP and ubuntu, nowt wrong with that either.

I fired up a 12 year old laptop t'other day. OK, windows 95 was slow, but it still worked.

 

[HRC99]

Thanks for all the replies

I take the point about you get what you pay but it honestly only gets used 2 or 3 times a week so I'm not too concerned about the spec.

Plus I'd rather spend the cash on golf gear than a PC!

Looking around a basic PC would cost around £250. Does that seem about right for a basic one?

 

[PhilTheFragger]

post a link to one you are considering and i'll tell you what I think

Cheers

Fragger

 

[HRC99]

Bit of an off the wall idea, but what would it cost to build my own?

I've got the box, leads, power supply, DVD writer and two perfectly serviceable hard drives (well, at least one!).

What else would I need and might it be more cost-effective (as well as a bit of fun).

 

[bobmac]

Bit of an off the wall idea, but what would it cost to build my own?

I've got the box, leads, power supply, DVD writer and two perfectly serviceable hard drives (well, at least one!).

What else would I need and might it be more cost-effective (as well as a bit of fun).

I dunno. Gearbox, exhaust, suspension, alternator etc etc.
Too advanced for the likes of me

 

[HRC99]

Bit of an off the wall idea, but what would it cost to build my own?

I've got the box, leads, power supply, DVD writer and two perfectly serviceable hard drives (well, at least one!).

What else would I need and might it be more cost-effective (as well as a bit of fun).

I dunno. Gearbox, exhaust, suspension, alternator etc etc.
Too advanced for the likes of me

Thanks, Bob. Doesn't every computer need a V Easy too these days? :;

 

[RGDave]

Bit of an off the wall idea, but what would it cost to build my own?

I've got the box, leads, power supply, DVD writer and two perfectly serviceable hard drives (well, at least one!).

What else would I need and might it be more cost-effective (as well as a bit of fun).

Ah, now this is my way of thinking.

I created a "new" monster using remains from Dr Frankenburgers experiments.

Don't ask me about power supplies, but you could conceivably do this as a project. new motherboard with CPU, and ram etc. but what sort of interfaces do you have? PATA SATA SATAII, IDE, e-sata, it's a jungle.

Potentially, yes, why not. I replaced all but the motherboard (CPU) and power supply on my recent "salvage project" but it wasn't exactly plain sailing. For example, the first replacement HD I tried didn't work and then when I popped in the newest version by Maxtor (the old had been Maxtor) hey, presto, it worked. It also didn't like a DVD writer until I messed around with jumpers and audio connectors.

Easy...no (not unless you are a pro)
Possible...definitely.

Remember, Windows (the copies I use anyway) is tied to the motherboard until death do they part. The IT chaps at work said if I replaced *too many* parts, somehow Windows would not successfully activate. It was fine.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

If you look here http://www.dabs.com/products/asus-intel-...mory--7J0Z.html

You can buy a "Bundle" That is, Motherboard, CPU and RAM all together, tested and compatible Cost £189, good CPU , 6 Gb RAM , excellent base to build your own system

All you have to do now is make sure that your hard drive and DVD are SATA not IDE and that your power supply has the normal 20 pin plug PLUS the newer 4 pin as well.

If not, you are looking at £40 for the hard drive, £15 for the DVD RW and about £30 for the power supply unit.

Add on the fact that you need to spend £80 on Windows and that gives you a total of £354

What about the case, will the motherboard fit. Allow £40 at least for a new case.

Oh look we are at £400 which is where i suggested we should look for a dell machine with the same spec.

What are the chances you will cock it up, do you give yourself a warranty.or should you look at Dells

This is why I stopped building all but the most bespoke systems, quite simply, the big boys can do it better, cheaper and with a warranty

Fragger

 

[RGDave]

Oh look we are at £400 which is where i suggested we should look for a dell machine with the same spec.

Yep. It's impossible to build from scratch from a financial perspective. I didn't bother with my latest PC.

I guess the "real" questions with an existing desktop is to ask what you have invested in it. If elements of it are useable and you have a licensed copy of windows "attached" to the motherboard, then ok.

I had a corrupted HD on my old desktop and decided to save the whole machine, as a project, if you like. I needed a hard drive and a dvd/cd combo, which cost me £0. I would have been prepared to spend a little on bits and bobs, but it's amazing what you can achieve with friends who can help. I added a old pro soundcard and ancient 256gb graphics card.
Re-installed windows XP (free, as I owned it) bought a wi-fi dongle for £20 and generally accessorised the whole thing.
It has 100% free apps on it, and then I added ubuntu linux for good measure. It runs very well, and my family use it instead of my Windows 7 pro machine, which has £1,000 worth of software "moved over" from the old machine.