Help Building my first PC

[chrisk61]

Hey,

 

I'm just wondering if anyone can help me. I need a new computer but i cant afford to pay it all at once because im paying for a holiday. So i thought that a good idea would be paying monthly, or building my own. I dont really want to pay monthly as you always pay about 3 times more than the PC is actually worth.

 

I need my PC to be reliable. I dont want it to freeze all the time, for instance i have a lot of music on my iTunes and currently it can take a while to open, especially whilst doing another thing.

 

I recently had problems with a computer i bought, i added my own graphics card and had problems, i dont think if theres a problem with the graphics card or theres a hardware clas or something but thats what i want to avoid when building this computer.

 

I have a decent amount of knowledge with computer, Im not a guru or anything but please anyone who sends a response, bare with me with the computer terminology.

 

So yea, i want my computer to be quite quick, doesnt have to be the worlds fastest computer, but i want it to be able to do a few/several things at once. I want a good enough graphics card ot play games like Company of Heroes, C&C, Flight Simulator etc, but it doesnt have to be an ultimate gamers PC. Just want two or three games.

 

So yea, any ideas on which components to purchase? like i said, im afraid of clashes of hardware etc.

I posted on here a while ago and i got a lot of response with links from american sites. Im from the UK and dont really want to be pay for things to be shipped over to me. I dont mind delivery from inside the UK though.

 

These are two websites which i think is good for this project...

 

PC World UK Computer Superstore - Buy cheap computers, laptops, desktop PCs, printers, LCD TVs, sat nav, digital cameras and more..

pryamid.com

 

Thanks for any help

 

Chris

[Dalo Harkin]

Hi,

 

Right - forget those sights that you put down:-

PC World is expensive and do not stock good manufacturers of components.

 

Have a look at:-

Scan.co.uk

Microdirect.co.uk

 

If you have an idea of how much money you have to spend then thats good - also have a look on the PC Build forum as there have been 2 or 3 occasions recently where I have recommended systems :D

[Tootech]

Have a look at these two for a sensible spec, Intel dual core, quick enough, plenty of RAM for normal use.

 

Acer Aspire

 

Zoostorm Advanced Premium PC, Core 2 Duo E7200 2.53GHz, 3GB RAM 320GB HDD, DVDRW, 9400GT 512MB Graphics, Vista Home Premium - Ebuyer

 

You create a 'shopping list' and compare the price to a pre built system.

 

Give or take a few pence I think Ebuyer are the cheapest out there, I use them and Aria depending on what parts I need - happy to recommend them.

Edited November 4, 2008 by Tootech

[Dalo Harkin]

Have a look at these two for a sensible spec, Intel dual core, quick enough, plenty of RAM for normal use.

 

Acer Aspire

 

Zoostorm Advanced Premium PC, Core 2 Duo E7200 2.53GHz, 3GB RAM 320GB HDD, DVDRW, 9400GT 512MB Graphics, Vista Home Premium - Ebuyer

 

You create a 'shopping list' and compare the price to a pre built system.

 

Give or take a few pence I think Ebuyer are the cheapest out there, I use them and Aria depending on what parts I need - happy to recommend them.

 

Clicked on the second link to have a look, and you could knock up better with £250 and they want £350 for that - better off to build custom IMHO

[Tootech]

Dalo, any chance you could knock up a parts list for a current 'decent spec'.

 

I struggle to get anywhere near the price of that Acer I linked to.

[Dalo Harkin]

Dalo, any chance you could knock up a parts list for a current 'decent spec'.

 

I struggle to get anywhere near the price of that Acer I linked to.

 

These are quick - off Google shopping

 

E4600 £73

Foxconn Mobo - £23

250 GB HDD - £31

2GB RAM PC5300 - £20

DVD-RW - £13

Nvidia 8400 - £22

Vista Home Premium OEM - £50 (this is probably the only piece that we cannot compete on against a company like ACER as they but literally thousands and thousands of licences and they will get them VERY cheap)

 

£232

 

I personally wouldnt use most of those parts but hey just as a like for like

and if you want to argue the quality of the PSU and CASE that they use on that ACER then :D

[chrisk61]

i mean

 

Computer Components, Network Accessories, PC Peripherals & Electronic Gadgets Online UK

 

my step dad delivers their and gets money off!

[Tootech]

Don't understand Dalo,

 

Your £232 , is just as good as the Zoostorm £350 ??? And there's no PSU/Case in your list.

 

Are you sure you wern't looking at the Acer at £290

 

I guess the point was that Chris could use them as a starting point for what are considered ok machines.

 

If you add up the part for part cost, then look at a similar spec machine prebuilt, there's little in the price, and for alot of consumers that means pre built is a safer buy.

 

I actually think that some consumer machines are a good deal, they have ok software, burning software, often now software to create recovery media, and are in general quiet and reliable.

 

Might be an interesting point for debate......

 

BUY or BUILD....what's your choice.....:)

[Guest Wolfeymole]

My HP box is the dogs bollocks Scott and I love it.

 

Make a debate on it mate, I'm sure there will be plenty of replies.

[Dalo Harkin]

Not again lol -

 

Scott - NO ONE who knows enough about a PC to build one would EVER buy one 'off the shelf' simple as - and this is a BASE MODEL machine - look at how much a top spec one costs and then we will compare the prices :D

[Tootech]

He he,

 

Isn't that a bit like saying 'no one that could fix their car would take it to a garage'

 

There are so many factors defining a decision to build rather than buy - not just the view that building is better......

 

BTW the pricing I was referring to was correct ......

 

See you over at the other thread Dalo :)

[Dalo Harkin]

He he,

Isn't that a bit like saying 'no one that could fix their car would take it to a garage'

 

lol did you just say that - Ok as I repair cars too -

 

When was the last time you ever stripped a GPU to its components - as in desoldered every transistor and laid it out to find the problem -

YOU DONT you know its dead and you get another -

A car is FAR MORE complex.

But if you want to talk Camshafts and rockers then I will do that too :D

 

YOU CANNOT COMPARE THE TWO

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Ok until Chris gets back to us I'll temporarily close the thread.

 

Chris, PM any moderator or admin when you want it re-opened mate ok.