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| Thread ID: 74788 | 2006-12-05 06:52:00 | Buying new PC | beeswax34 (63) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 504383 | 2006-12-05 06:52:00 | Hello all I'm planning on buying a new PC within this month. I need advice on exactly what to buy and where to buy it from. My constraints are: My budget is $1850. I would like the shop to be within Auckland so that I can pick it up. I would really prefer an Intel based system. I wil primarily use this for games, Internet and word-processing. I would also like a TV tuner. I am completely clueless to what I should get and the spec's I need so I turn to the tech-god's of Pressf1 to see what I should do. Thanks |
beeswax34 (63) | ||
| 504384 | 2006-12-05 07:31:00 | Hi there. Do you want to make your PC from scratch or do you prefer a ready-made one? If you want the former, then I suggest you browse through PriceSpy (http://www.pricespy.co.nz) for the prices on each of the computer components - that is, once you know what you want. Are you a hardcore gamer? I am sure with less than 1500 can get you a pretty beefed-up computer. Cheers :) |
Renmoo (66) | ||
| 504385 | 2006-12-05 07:58:00 | Hi, this is my suggestion, based on what you have told me. I'm assuming that with a $1850 budget you are not very stingy, so you want reasonable quality components not cheap hacks. Shop to buy from: I would be going for Extreme PC (http://www.extremepc.co.nz/) for this one, but I will be going with other reputable stores when they are more than $25ish cheaper for the desired item. CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.13GHz - here at Extreme PC (www.extremepc.co.nz) - $379 Memory: 2GB (2x CMS 1GB DDR2-667 Ram w/Lifetime warranty) - here at Extreme PC (www.extremepc.co.nz) - $166x2 = $332 Hard drive: Seagate 250GB SATA drive (5yr warranty) - here at NFC Technology (www.nfc.co.nz) - $121.50 + $8 shipping. Why 250GB? Because it's about $20 more than a 120GB and you're spending $1850 ... Graphics: (Not my area but: ) Asus Nvidia 7600GS 512MB - here at Extreme PC (www.extremepc.co.nz) - $235 Motherboard: Asus P5B - here at PC Online (pconlineshop.co.nz) - $219 + $8 shipping Monitor: CMV 5ms Wide screen 19" LCD - here at Extreme PC (www.extremepc.co.nz) - $354 DVD-RW: Asus 1608P3S 16x Dual Layer - here at Extreme PC (www.extremepc.co.nz) - $59 Case: Choose one you like Power supply: Acbel 500W intelligent - here at Extreme PC (/www.extremepc.co.nz/product_info.php?cPath=158&products_id=1775) - $156 Total cost: $1871.50 plus a case, but there is room to shave some off to get it under. Edit: I shouldn't assume you want to build it. Extreme PC will probably make that system for you if you ask. And if you want extremely good support, spend the extra money and go to Ascent. |
george12 (7) | ||
| 504386 | 2006-12-05 08:08:00 | What sort of games are you wishing to play? There is a big difference between what sort of system is required to run some of the latest grunt-hungry games and more mid-range specification games. This will give people an idea of what sort of hardware you will require. Are you also requiring a new monitor to be included? |
Jen (38) | ||
| 504387 | 2006-12-05 08:43:00 | sorry everyone. I don't need a monitor or a keyboard or a mouse. I would like the computer to be assembled for me. As for games, they will be very un-high end. Things like Battlefield Vietnam or 1942 or AOE or AOM. | beeswax34 (63) | ||
| 504388 | 2006-12-05 14:16:00 | Things like Battlefield Vietnam or 1942 or AOE or AOM. well i was going to say not to bother with the 7600GS but it won't matter too much lol.... personally i would still get a plain 7600 rather than the GS, and having the 512Mb of memory is (arguably) pointless; a 256mb 6600gt would do just as well (if not better):) same for the 2GB of RAM - unnessesary:rolleyes: half if unless you want to run BF2 or BF2142, which can still be done on 1 gb - but just barely mind you otherwise that system looks good - 250GB hard disk is currently the best value, and is 'enough' storage space for what you want, and the whole thing is reasonably 'future proof', but i wouldn't count on intel continuing that cpu socket for too much longer if you're on a tight budget (which it doesn't seem you are), i'd suggest looking at an AMD option also, just to find the best deal:) PS:don't forget to add the price of windows if you don't already have a windows cd /ridiculously long, confusing post |
motorbyclist (188) | ||
| 504389 | 2006-12-05 14:23:00 | oh, and if you look for other shops to buy from that are cheaper, don't go for 'super cheap pc' unless you're sure the components won't break - it's too much hassle to return goods and takes 3 reminders plus one threat to get a refund they said they'd give you after you paid online for an item which, contrary to the website, was out of stock, and contrary to the people at the store, was never ordered - preventing it from arriving, which means they had a 3 week headstart with my money:mad: i should've asked for interest on the $200 loan i effectively gave them for two months - seeing as they were earning it and i was being charged it:angry sure 99.99% of the time you'll leave happy, but it's that other 0.01% that you really dont wanna be in (coincidentally the percentage of faulty hardware they stock and refuse to replace under warranty/consumer rights act) /rant extreme pc, madkiwi, c1shopping mall, jaycar electronics, qmb and yes, even dse i can say from experience are very good stores for service/returns |
motorbyclist (188) | ||
| 504390 | 2006-12-05 19:06:00 | Hi, this is my suggestion, based on what you have told me. I'm assuming that with a $1850 budget you are not very stingy, so you want reasonable quality components not cheap hacks. Shop to buy from: I would be going for Extreme PC (http://www.extremepc.co.nz/) for this one, but I will be going with other reputable stores when they are more than $25ish cheaper for the desired item. CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.13GHz - here at Extreme PC (www.extremepc.co.nz) - $379 Memory: 2GB (2x CMS 1GB DDR2-667 Ram w/Lifetime warranty) - here at Extreme PC (www.extremepc.co.nz) - $166x2 = $332 Hard drive: Seagate 250GB SATA drive (5yr warranty) - here at NFC Technology (www.nfc.co.nz) - $121.50 + $8 shipping. Why 250GB? Because it's about $20 more than a 120GB and you're spending $1850 ... Graphics: (Not my area but: ) Asus Nvidia 7600GS 512MB - here at Extreme PC (www.extremepc.co.nz) - $235 Motherboard: Asus P5B - here at PC Online (pconlineshop.co.nz) - $219 + $8 shipping Monitor: CMV 5ms Wide screen 19" LCD - here at Extreme PC (www.extremepc.co.nz) - $354 DVD-RW: Asus 1608P3S 16x Dual Layer - here at Extreme PC (www.extremepc.co.nz) - $59 Case: Choose one you like Power supply: Acbel 500W intelligent - here at Extreme PC (/www.extremepc.co.nz/product_info.php?cPath=158&products_id=1775) - $156 Total cost: $1871.50 plus a case, but there is room to shave some off to get it under. Edit: I shouldn't assume you want to build it. Extreme PC will probably make that system for you if you ask. And if you want extremely good support, spend the extra money and go to Ascent. I nearly agree with this (parts, not where to get). As no monitor is needed stated after this post I would definitely go for a 7900GS preferable a x1900xt or 7950GT. I love 2 gig, but if things get tight I personally would rather have a faster video card and 1 gig than a pig of a card and 2 gig. You "could" also drop down to the e6300 1.8gig and save $80, that processor at stock speeds will still kick the old P4's ass that run well over 3 gig for reference. |
Master_Frost (9951) | ||
| 504391 | 2006-12-05 19:19:00 | If you can affort it, I would recommend a 7600GT rather than a 7600GS (See www23.tomshardware.com for benchmarks) Lowest price for 7600GT on pricespy is $230 |
mejobloggs (264) | ||
| 504392 | 2006-12-05 21:33:00 | oh, and if you look for other shops to buy from that are cheaper, don't go for 'super cheap pc' unless you're sure the components won't break - it's too much hassle to return goods and takes 3 reminders plus one threat to get a refund they said they'd give you after you paid online for an item which, contrary to the website, was out of stock, and contrary to the people at the store, was never ordered - preventing it from arriving, which means they had a 3 week headstart with my money:mad: i should've asked for interest on the $200 loan i effectively gave them for two months - seeing as they were earning it and i was being charged it:angry sure 99.99% of the time you'll leave happy, but it's that other 0.01% that you really dont wanna be in (coincidentally the percentage of faulty hardware they stock and refuse to replace under warranty/consumer rights act) /rant extreme pc, madkiwi, c1shopping mall, jaycar electronics, qmb and yes, even dse i can say from experience are very good stores for service/returns It took about 30 threats and I still didn't get so much as a reply off them (edit: that's SuperCheap PC I'm talking about), apart from "we are ssoory but as per our terms we cannot refunded except of residual value of your moterboard of $8.62 as it is 1 month of 12 month warranty, and it is not made now so we cannot replace". But they knew it wasn't worth my time to take them to Disputes :(. So I told about 100 people over the course of the year to stay away from them and spread the word. That's why I recommended Extreme PC who are almost as cheap but give me great service. Two-day shipping every time, I get overnight sometimes when paying by direct credit! Which means they're sending it before they see my money I think... And they're good with warranties. To fix up my system, ditch the LCD screen, ditch one of the 1GB ram sticks, add Windows XP home, change the motherboard to Extreme PC (About $25 more IIRC for that one) and ask them to build it for you, for free if possible. And ignore, completely, what I said about the graphics card. Listen to people who know what they're talking about in that regard. Being an almost complete non-gamer, it's just not my area. |
george12 (7) | ||
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