Opinions on Computer selection.

shoutman

Hey

I came across this http://www.ankermann-pc.com/en/cpu_configa26.php?artikelnr=10711

via the bargain alerts forum and it looks like a good deal.
Having already asked about Ram and Hard Drive, I've decided I'll go with the 3gb ram and the standard hard drive.
Also as I wont be using the DVD burner too often but still would like one I'm going with the samsung DVD RW.

With regards to the casing I have no clue about these things. Can anyone reccommend one? I'm not interested in it looking fancy at all, as this is the case will the standard case be grand or would a different one be better for cooling purposes etc.

cheers for the advice.

armour87

I wouldn't be 100%. but I doubt cooling is a major issue.

Anything else casing offers seems purely cosmetic...but i ain't an expert

TerrorFirmer

No, better cases can provide better ventilation but it's not going to make or break your system, would be more of an issue for much higher end hardware, overclocking, etc.

What do you plan using the machine for? Would be an ok media PC, good for multi-tasking as well. But not very good for games. Board is terrible (reliable but extremely sparse on features), and is there any way of finding out what the power supply is?

Not bad value for money though, if you're using it for day to day tasks and encoding, ripping etc it's very good value. But just be aware that some of those parts are extremely basic, and the machine would need further upgrading if gaming is a necessity... And don't forget it doesn't come with any OS...

Archytas

Your case is hugely important in cooling your whole system. Any case that gives you ability to manage your cables effectively and also gives good airflow throughout the entire system, is worth a lot in terms of cooling etc. You've got to look at things like fans, build metal(aluminium for example is light but also helps cool a case better than plastic), size, ease of access, and so on.

Just to reiterate... your case choice is quite important in terms of cooling...

shoutman

Cheers for the replies so far, mostly I'd be using it for playing poker, college stuff and maybe the likes of Football manager (not hugely graphic intensive). So as multi tasking goes thats ideal yes?

Havok it says 600Watt PFC Switching Power Supply.

As cases go I think its a choice of these http://www.ankermann-pc.com/en/index.html

Also yes I realise it doesnt come with an os but you can get them installed through the site http://www.ankermann-pc.com/en/betriebsys.php, I was thinking just windows, but someone said on the bargain alerts thread that Suse linux 10 installed for free is a pretty good deal.

TerrorFirmer

Yeah I see that, what I was wondering is, what the actual brand the power supply is. Those cases look pretty generic but while Archytas has a valid point, you'll get by fine with any cheap case. A lot of it is personal taste to be honest, and how much heat you are comfortable with (notwithstanding the hardwares actual limits obviously). Some people always want the lowest temps possible. People like me don't give a crap as long as it's within operable conditions and won't pose any problems. You can always add some fans and a system exhaust to it yourself if it's a concern anyway.

All in all I'd say it is good value for a certain use. Certainly from a hardware alone point it definitely is. But not really for a gamer - bad board, no features, would have to add a better card, power supply is probably questionable...you get where I'm going, you'd have to pump alot more money into it to turn it into a killer games machine and it'd end up being uneconomical. It's good value relative to who wants it for what. I think in your case it's an excellent deal. The graphics card isn't great but that said it's still OK and will play any game from 2006 downwards at high settings no problem, I was thinking of the latest games when I commented on it. Football manager.....I reckon a 5 year old machine would tear through that!

As for Linux....personally wouldn't recommend to dive straight into it with no previous experience as your main desktop for all purposes! Best to install it on a older machine to mess around with first and test it out before committing to it on your main machine. It's great though, don't get me wrong, but I'm not sure I'd use it as my main desktop without having used it before.

shoutman

Cheers for the advice Havok.

much appreciated.