New PC

Timans

I'm getting a new pc on Friday. It will be one from PC World and about 1100€. There are a few Core 2 Duo ones available with 2gigs of RAM etc etc. What I want to know is there any diference between the different brands? Is there any I should really go towards or try to avoid?

Manufacturers of the ones I'm looking at are Packard Bell, Compaq, Advent, HP etc etc.

www.pcworld.ie

Recommend etc.

Thanks,

IgsTer

im no expert..but id say you'd be way better getting parts and building your own..you'll end up with alot better pc..but if yu are gonna buy one in pc world no matter what..id go for hp,packerd bell or compag..from what i can see the ones that are priced nearest to 1100€ are what your looking for but if your into games youd have to upgrade the gfx card..

Anti

Yeah id have to agree, Build it yourself. But if this is not a option, Stay away from pcworld, They are overpriced beyond beliefe. And if you dont take the extended warrenty the staff become very narky and unfriendly. So go for a dell. You will get a much better deal. Or there is ankerman too. You can customise which parts you want with these http://www.ankermann-pc.com/en/

Timans

Yes but then I'd have to buy with Credit Card and online. My parents don't want to do that. I won't be playing high spec games. Just Football Manager and the like.

I thought they very quite reasonably priced as it has Core 2 Duo cpu's, 256/512mb gfx, 2gigs of Ram etc.

Building ain't an option I'm afraid. Too much hassle.

TerrorFirmer

Do not go with PC World. Really bad prices.

It doesn't mean you have to build yourself either. Go with Komplett or Dell, I'm sure your parents can be convinced given the savings you'll make or for the same price, get a much more powerful machine.

coldfeet

If your going for a new Dual 2 Core pc i'd make sure that you have one of the new Intel chips, either the e6400, e6600 or e6800. Also for the money your spending the chips would want to be at least 2Ghz, 1Ghz fsb & 2MB cache.

If your planning on running vista you'll want 2Ghz of RAM and a good video card

Timans

I'm looking at this although, My parents will need Microsoft Word, Excell etc etc.

They're very pricey.. Are they already on it by any chance?

EDIT - Can't get Link to work.

Pc is:

Norman IC, 1 year license Virus Control
PC box
SoftThinks Installation/Recovery
Microsoft Digital Media PRO Keyboard,
Canon Pixma MP160, 22/17ppm,
Western Digital Caviar SE16 320GB SATA2
Logitech B58 Optical Premium Wheel
NorthQ 4775-400, ATX 400W Silent, 140mm
Microsoft Windows XP Home SP2b
Corsair Value S. PC5300 DDR2 2048MB
NEC DVD±recorder AD-5170 IDE Black OEM
Samsung 20" LCD Syncmaster 205BW TCO03,
Logitech X-230 2.1, 2 Satellites and
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ 2.0GHz Socket AM2
Gigabyte Poseidon GZ-XA1CA-STB Black
MSI K9VGM-V, VIA K8M890, Socket-AM2,
XFX GeForce 7300GS 256MB DDR2, HD-ready

Comes to €1400 inc p&p. A bit more expensive but I needed all keyboards/speakers/printers etc etc.

WHat do people think?

There's a Core 2 Duo E6400 one for the same price, although it only has 1 gig of RAM. Would the Processor outway the extra 1 gig of RAM?

Core 2 Duo PC:

Norman IC, 1 year license Virus Control
PC box
SoftThinks Installation/Recovery
Microsoft Digital Media PRO Keyboard,
Canon Pixma MP160, 22/17ppm,
Western Digital Caviar SE16 320GB SATA2
Logitech B58 Optical Premium Wheel
NorthQ 4775-400, ATX 400W Silent, 140mm
Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13GHz Socket
Microsoft Windows XP Home SP2b
Corsair Value S. PC5300 DDR2 1024MB
NEC DVD±recorder AD-5170 IDE Black OEM
Samsung 20" LCD Syncmaster 205BW TCO03,
Creative I-Trigue 3330
Gigabyte Poseidon GZ-XA1CA-STB Black
Gigabyte GA-945P-S3, I945P, Socket-775,
XFX GeForce 7300GS 256MB DDR2, HD-ready

sdanseo

Timans wrote:

I'm looking at this although, My parents will need Microsoft Word, Excell etc etc.

They're very pricey.. Are they already on it by any chance?
EDIT - Can't get Link to work.

Pc is:

Norman IC, 1 year license Virus Control
PC box
SoftThinks Installation/Recovery
Microsoft Digital Media PRO Keyboard,
Canon Pixma MP160, 22/17ppm,
Western Digital Caviar SE16 320GB SATA2
Logitech B58 Optical Premium Wheel
NorthQ 4775-400, ATX 400W Silent, 140mm
Microsoft Windows XP Home SP2b
Corsair Value S. PC5300 DDR2 2048MB
NEC DVD±recorder AD-5170 IDE Black OEM
Samsung 20" LCD Syncmaster 205BW TCO03,
Logitech X-230 2.1, 2 Satellites and
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ 2.0GHz Socket AM2
Gigabyte Poseidon GZ-XA1CA-STB Black
MSI K9VGM-V, VIA K8M890, Socket-AM2,
XFX GeForce 7300GS 256MB DDR2, HD-ready

Comes to €1400 inc p&p. A bit more expensive but I needed all keyboards/speakers/printers etc etc.

WHat do people think?

Lose the Samsung and the 20'' bits of the LCD, go for cheaper make 19''. Then use the spare cash to upgrade the GFX to Nvidia 7600GT. Alternatively use it to upgrade the processor to this

Cases arent that important, you could probably save there.

Speakers - From browsing Komplett, I think this is much better for the money.

MS Office will not be onboard, however the 2007 beta edition is very stable and easy to use and is free until Febuary. Have a look here
(1.50 or so Download fee)

Hope this helps.



EDIT: Use PC World only in a dire emergency...much cheaper to buy online, I don't have much time for ''creditcard-o-phobic'' people

Timans

You linked me back to my pc didn't you?

Hal1

Thats alot of dough for a brand name pc, the spec is alright but you could make a saving of about E400 - 500 if you DIY as suggested. The question you have to ask is, will you put all that power to use?

Timans

Well the chances are, the folks won't upgrade for about 5/6 years like they did with the last one.

I'd say so,

I'm looking at komplett now so if you feel like making a pc there and linking me, be my guest. BUT, it must be built by them.

Anti

I really dont understand your reason for not self building. It will save sooo much money. I'm sure some one on boards could put it together for you for a modest fee. Or you most likely have a friend that can do it for you.

But like i said earlier just buy a dell if its to much trouble. Much better value that way. And id even drop down to a 17" monitor to save money so you can get a god cpu and graphics card

IgsTer

well if you choose to get it built by them i notcied after making a list out for myself with seperate components and making the same pc getting built by them..its only about 40 euro i think more expensive plus i got free os..faster ram and a more expensive case so getting it built by them in there custom made pc part of the site isnt a bad idea..i might do it meself..mainly because of the os that comes with it..its up to you but f i was you id defo go for weither the parts seperatly = cheaper..or gettign the prebuilt pc by them with your own selection = a little more expensive but alot less hassle..

sdanseo

Timans wrote:

You linked me back to my pc didn't you?

No, I linked you to Komplett, and the PC you configured was still in your browser history

Timans

Going to be getting a Compaq from PcWorld. Parents don't want to get it on Komplett.

Intel Core Duo E6400
2gigs of RAM
250GB HDD
19" Monitor
Nvidia 7600SE or something gfx
Windows Media Centre 05

All for 1049. I think that's a great deal. It's better than what I was getting on Komplett, spec wise.

K.O.Kiki

Sell the 7600SE if you can & upgrade it!

I mean, I've never even heard of an "SE" model! :eek:

TerrorFirmer

Timans wrote:

Going to be getting a Compaq from PcWorld. Parents don't want to get it on Komplett.

Intel Core Duo E6400
2gigs of RAM
250GB HDD
19" Monitor
Nvidia 7600SE or something gfx
Windows Media Centre 05

All for 1049. I think that's a great deal. It's better than what I was getting on Komplett, spec wise.

Yeah, it is a great deal, just saw this today. The SE means it's a cut down model - but benchmarks between the 7600SE and the GS are pretty much identical, so just think of it as that. The one I saw advertised with the X1600SE, which I'd imagine is similar to the X1600Pro. I wonder what kind of psus these machines have - would be a great deal if the psu was a decent rating to add your own power card.

Timans

Timans wrote:

I'm getting a new pc on Friday. It will be one from PC World and about 1100€. There are a few Core 2 Duo ones available with 2gigs of RAM etc etc. What I want to know is there any diference between the different brands? Is there any I should really go towards or try to avoid?

Avoid everything in PC World there well overpriced, see a laptop in store today and you could get near the same laptop from Dell for €300 cheaper.