NEW PC - looking for advice

Gummy Panda

I'm thinking of picking up a prebuilt system from elara because i haven't built a system from scratch since the Pentium 3 days. I wouldn't have a clue how to apply terminal paste.

The system i'm looking as is the HP Pavilion p6319uk - €753.83

The Specs:


General
Type Personal computer
Recommended Use Home use
Product Form Factor Tower
Localisation English / United Kingdom

Processor
Type Intel Core i5 650 / 3.2 GHz
Multi-Core Technology Quad-Core
64-bit Computing Yes
Installed Qty 1
Max Supported Qty 1

Mainboard
Chipset Type Intel H57 Express

RAM
Installed Size 6 GB / 16 GB (max)
Technology DDR3 SDRAM
Memory Speed 1333 MHz
Memory Specification Compliance PC3-10600
Form Factor DIMM 240-pin
Features Dual channel memory architecture

Storage Controller
Type 1 x Serial ATA - integrated

Storage
Hard Drive 1 x 640 GB - standard - Serial ATA-300 - 7200 rpm

Optical Storage
Type DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM - Serial ATA
Read Speed 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD)
Write Speed 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD±R) / 12x (DVD±R DL)
CD / DVD Rewrite Speed 32x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW) / 12x (DVD-RAM)
Disc Labeling Technology LightScribe Technology

Card Reader
Type 15 in 1 card reader
Supported Flash Memory Cards CompactFlash Card type I, CompactFlash Card type II, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Microdrive, MultiMediaCard, SD Memory Card, SmartMedia Card, Memory Stick Duo, xD-Picture Card, Memory Stick PRO Duo, miniSD, RS-MMC, MultiMediaCardmobile, MultiMediaCardplus

Monitor
Monitor Type None.

Graphics Controller
Type PCI Express x16 - plug-in card
Graphics Processor / Vendor NVIDIA GeForce GT 230
Video Memory 1.5 GB
Total Available Graphics Memory 3327 MB
Digital Video Standard Digital Visual Interface (DVI), High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)

Audio Output
Type Sound card
Sound Output Mode 7.1 channel surround
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio

Input Device
Type Mouse, keyboard
Keyboard
Connectivity Wireless
Mouse
Connectivity Wireless

Networking
Networking Network adapter - integrated
Data Link Protocol Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet

Expansion / Connectivity
Expansion Bays Total (Free) 1 ( 1 ) x Pocket Media Drive bay
2 ( 1 ) x front accessible - 5.25"
2 ( 1 ) x internal - 3.5"
Expansion Slots Total (Free) 4 memory - DIMM 240-pin
1 ( 0 ) x processor - LGA1156 Socket
3 ( 3 ) x PCI Express x1
1 ( 0 ) x PCI Express x16
1 ( 1 ) x PCI Express Mini Card
Interfaces 2 x microphone - input - mini-phone 3.5mm ( 1 front, 1 rear )
8 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 PIN USB Type A
1 x headphones - output - mini-phone 3.5mm ( 1 in front )
1 x audio - SPDIF output
1 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire)
1 x network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T - RJ-45
1 x display / video - VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15)
1 x display / video - DVI-Analog/Digital (dual link) - 29 pin combined DVI
3 x audio - output - mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm
1 x audio - line-In - mini-phone 3.5mm
1 x audio - line-out - mini-phone 3.5mm
1 x display / video - HDMI

Power
Device Type Power supply
Power Provided 300 Watt

I just need the PC itself. I already have a samsung syncmaster HDMI monitor.

Would this be a good system to get and upgrade as i need to in the future?

Also I'm not sure about the graphics card, what are your opinions?

Its mainly going to be used for MS office, 720p tv shows, the odd dvd and World of Warcraft. Maybe something like L4D2 on steam.

Solitaire

What resolution is the monitor? Doubt the G230 could push L4D on any modern resolution

And the system is pretty darn expensive; the CPU is expensive but not so hot considering a far superior i5-750 retails for a similar price. On the other hand an i3-530 isn't far inferior and costs a good 40% less. So even though the CPU costs a few bucks you're still not getting your money's worth

I'm tempted to tell you to hunt down a cheap X3-425- or i3-530-based rig on- or off-line for €450-550-odd and stuff a cheap HD5570 or HD5670 in it.

Gummy Panda

Its a SyncMaster 2493 HM. The specs for it are:

Screen Size: 24″
Resolution: 1920 x 1200
Brightness: 400cd/m²
Contrast Ratio: DC 10000:1 (1000:1)

The thing is, I wouldn't have a clue about attaching a CPU to a mobo and making sure its properly cooled.

Komplett use to do bare minimum systems were you got a case, PSU, mobo, cpu and cooling system. You could buy that and add the cards & ram yourself.

Any help pointing me in the right direction in getting a decent system for around €800, would be most appreciated

EDIT: I don't need hard drives. I just realised i had a Seagate 500GB 7200rpm HD in storage.

Pacifico

Overclockers do some decent pre built systems

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=43

Gummy Panda

Pacifico wrote: »

Overclockers do some decent pre built systems

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=43

Thanks mate.

By reading the posts here, the parts used in their builds are much higher quality then the system i showed.

How are they for delivery of a full system to Ireland?

Am i right in thinking they charge 21% at checkout when you select Ireland as your address?

massy086

id say the post might be dear on a full build you really should build your own . honest its easy and there is plenty of us here to help, hell ill build it for you for free if you want lol overclockers do charge 21% vat

Solitaire

But even if you're adamant about avoiding a full build you can always cheese it and get a decent shop build that doesn't charge through the roof simply because they have something better than integrated graphics, then just get a cheap, low-power gaming graphics card seperately and literally just slot it in and you're done

Gummy Panda

massy086 wrote: »

id say the post might be dear on a full build you really should build your own . honest its easy and there is plenty of us here to help, hell ill build it for you for free if you want lol overclockers do charge 21% vat

Haha cheers mate.

It says DHL is £13 which seems a bit cheap. I made sure to check 50kg and basket weight (i added it to basket).

massy086

im not sure iv never bought from them but ye it does sound cheap

Gummy Panda

Update on this!

I ended up buying the OC UK Titan Apache while it was on offer.

System Specification
- Case: Antec 300 Three Hundred Ultimate Gaming Case - Black
- Power Supply: OCZ StealthXStream 600w Ready Power Supply
- CPU: Intel Core i3 530 2.93GHz Clarkdale overclocked to 4.20GHz
- Motherboard: Gigabyte H55M-UDH2 Intel H55 (Socket 1156) PCI-Express DDR3 Motherboard
- Cooler: Akasa AK-967 V2 Nero Direct Contact Heatpipe CPU Cooler
- RAM: Geil Value 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C8 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit
- Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB SATA-II 32MB Cache
- Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 5850 "Modern Warfare 2" 1024MB GDDR5
- Sound: High Definition 7.1 Onboard Sound Card
- Optical Drive: 22x DVD+RW SATA Dual Layer ReWriter

Its in the warehouse queue now to be shipped.

I need to get keyboard and mouse. I was thinking of the Razer Naga or death adder. Anyone any recommendations e.g. Steel Series, Razer, Logitech?

Also i noticed Peats and PC World have stopped stocking Razer products.

Now the worse part begins, dealing with DHL saying my address doesn't exist or no answer (when i am home).

Solitaire

L4D on a HD5850...... :eek:

Heh... heheh... heheheh... heh

witnessmenow

"oym nyom nyom" springs to mind

Gummy Panda

Hehe

But i still have no mouse or keyboard. I need to sort that out. Pixmania seem the cheapest for a naga but i don't know if they'd have it here by the time the system arrives.

They says 24/48 hours with UPS.

Gummy Panda

Right my pc is finally in Ireland and says out with courier. I hope DHL don't screw me over by saying address doesn't exist.

Jonny7

Mouse? personal preference

I think I've tried every mouse on the planet at this stage..

My recommendations

Large Mouse - pick up the logitech mx518

Medium Mouse - microsoft optical 1a (old but incredible)

Small mouse - logitech G3 (since I prefer small mice, my tracking went up 5 to 10 % with this)


I've been through all the new razors etc, but still find myself going back to these older mice

Gummy Panda

My PC arrived

Its so fast yet so quiet. Installing all my stuff onto it now.

Thanks for all the help guys.

massy086

ow how i love new pc day well have fun