Upgrade Kit or new Aldi PC

dolphinius

Ok, guys can you run your eyes over these queries for me.

1) Upgrade my current PC.

This upgrade kit consists of the following components:
576801 Intel Core™ i5 Dual Processor i5-650Dual Core, 3.2Ghz, Socket 1156, 4MB, 73W, Boxed w/fan
576879 Gigabyte GA-H55-UD2H, H55, Socket-11564xDDR3, m-ATX, GbLAN, VGA, HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort, PCI-Ex(2.0)x16
518205 Crucial DDR3 BallistiX 1333MHz 4GB CL7Kit w/2x 2GB BallistiX modules, CL7-7-7-24, 1.65V

https://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=580553

They recommend a 450W power supply.
Mine is 300W.

https://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=338686

Upgrade kit - 364.50
450W PSU - 60.75

Total 425.25 Euro

2) Would I have been better off going to Aldi for their latest PC offer ?

http://www.aldi.ie/ie/html/offers/2827_11844.htm?WT.mc_id=2010-02-01-17-54

Price 450 Euro

The chip is an i3-530 instead of the i5-650 and has 1GB less ram.
But I get a 1T hard drive, a DVD writer, Windows 7, 3 years warranty etc.

Which would you go for ? and Why ?
Is the i5 far superior than the i3 ?

Which is the best value ?
Could I get something better for the 400-500 I'm thinking of spending ?

I'm stuck.
Thanks for reading.

cherryghost

Upgrading your current pc would be better, hands down

dolphinius

Fair enough, thanks
What's your thinking on that, mate ?
I am humming and hawing over getting the Aldi and networking with my old PC.
Still in two minds, here.

cherryghost

the aldi pc wouldnt be very upgradeable for the future, and the i5 650 is more powerful also.

massy086

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=492762
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=576879
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=502745
your much better off with these only a tenner more and u get quad core rather than dual make,s all the difference

ScumLord

Upgrade!

I wouldn't like your chances or actually getting one of those Aldi PCs, most shops only get one or two and anyone that's actually went through the process of trying to buy one has found out it's simply an advertising ploy to get people into the shop you have little or no chance of actually owning one.

Upgrade, get good parts and you'll be more set for the future.

Jonny7

Indeed the Aldi PC's are quite hard to get. However assuming you can get one..

Then what do you need the PC for? if its for everyday use, internet browsing and maybe a little light gaming, then yes I would suggest the Aldi, its fine, has a warranty, and when you get it you literally press the on switch.

However..

If you want a quality PC for gaming, a very good machine, then I would suggest building.. and go for the i5 750 quadcore..

The aldi PC works like this, they buy a good Intel chip, like the 650, then they just surround it with cheap components, however since they bulk buy they can do the whole thing quite cheap.

A good experiment is to go to www.hardwareversand.de, choose English, go to the PC configurator and then choose your chip (the 650) and then choose all the cheapest possible components similar to the Aldi and then compare prices. I get the feeling the Aldi will still be cheaper.

The Aldi will work fine for everyday use and will last quite a few years (not for gaming unless you perhaps buy a new PSU with it and a decent graphics card for decent gaming).

If however you want more performance, more ability to tinker and overclock, the security of much longer lasting components (but no offense builders, I've had a Dell now for 15 years than is still running fine).. etc, etc.. then go for building/upgrading yourself..

If you are new to building, don't rush in, take it slow, read up and savour it a bit, nothing better than getting very shiny parts and putting them together and having a super slick performance machine.

Jonny7

Nope the Aldi PC can't be beat on value, the cheapest counterpart with equal components comes out over 100 euros more expensive when you include building and delivery.

If you do decide to upgrade though, that upgrade kit you chose isn't the best value

Solitaire

On the other hand both mobo and PSU look dubious on the Medion. Mobo looks like a cut-down OEM P55 jobbie, very sparse backplate! Not much cooling from the looks of it either. Its not such a good deal if you have to replace the case, PSU and possibly mobo straight off the bat!