Buying new desktop computer.

twig

Been looking for a high speed computer recently and best i could find for the money is

http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/6030545/art/intel/desktop-pc-usb-3-0-intel.html#
and
http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/5718683/art/intel/usb-3-0-pc-system-intel.html

Anyone have any suggestions or other options..

The computer will be used for streaming my playstation gameplay, as well as coding and Football Manager . I want it to be really fast tho with loads of power and room for movies and music etc.

Thanks

ArtyM

I hope you noticed that there is no OS listed with either of those machines.
Also no mention of usb3, eSATA, or firewire connectivity.
No graphics card listed on first machine.
Are you planning on installing Linux - if not you will need to add the price of Win7 to your costs.
I think you can do better, I will try and post back some links soon.

twig

ArtyM wrote: »

I hope you noticed that there is no OS listed with either of those machines.
Also no mention of usb3, eSATA, or firewire connectivity.
No graphics card listed on first machine.
Are you planning on installing Linux - if not you will need to add the price of Win7 to your costs.
I think you can do better, I will try and post back some links soon.

Feel like an idiot now.. No i didnt notice these things.. I've had another look at that website and dunno really what kinda spec i should be looking for.. I was told 500gb/1tb 4/6/8gb ram and one of the i3/i5 processors? Had a look on dabs and found http://www.dabs.ie/products/acer-aspire-x3950---core-i3-540---500gb-hdd---4gb-ram---dvd-rw---win7-home-p-64bit-midi-tower-desktop-pc-7D7W.html ! I have a 22inch full HD monitor so will need hdmi cable to the monitor if possible?

Thanks

ArtyM

Hey,
No need to feel like an idiot - its a natural assumption that a pc has an os, some sellers take advantage of that.
As for specs...
The most difficult and expensive components to replace are the mboard, cpu, and graphics cards - so get those right from the get go.
Ram and hd space are easy to upgrade and costs will always drop later.
I mentioned usb3, eSata, and firewire connectivity as it is good to have a fast way to backup files to external.
A 1tb/2tb drive is only useful if you have a huge need for storage, 1tb is a whole lot of space. 500gb may do you fine.
You are making progress with your latest find, its better than the last ones.
It has expandability to 8gb Ram and a 64bit Os that can use it. Would prefer a non midi tower as this sometimes limits psu strength but I wouldnt discount it for that.
Am not a regular buyer of pcs so am maybe not the best person to recommend suppliers/sites/latest deals so hopefully someone else can chip in and help you. Till then hope the few pointers above help.
Best of luck, hope you get sorted.

GarIT

I got this PC and this Monitor they're fairly decent for the money. An i3 is a modern processor but you cant call it fast, or powerful, if your looking for something fast an i5 might just about cut it or an i7. The processor in the desktop I mentioned is fairly powerful. I'd say the processor is the most important part as everything else can be upgraded later. I play football manager 2011 and it rates it as a 5 star computer.

twig

GarIT wrote: »

I got this PC and this Monitor they're fairly decent for the money. An i3 is a modern processor but you cant call it fast, or powerful, if your looking for something fast an i5 might just about cut it or an i7. The processor in the desktop I mentioned is fairly powerful. I'd say the processor is the most important part as everything else can be upgraded later. I play football manager 2011 and it rates it as a 5 star computer.

Yeh looking for maybe i5.. That machine is nice tho.. Thanks..

Anyone anything to say about http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/pc/range/iflamepro.html or any other machines out there.. I'm having trouble finding one

GarIT

twig wrote: »

Yeh looking for maybe i5.. That machine is nice tho.. Thanks..

Anyone anything to say about http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/pc/range/iflamepro.html or any other machines out there.. I'm having trouble finding one

The PC I mentioned is more powerful than any i5 I think as well as the older i7s.

The PC you have there has no graphics card, everything else is good, but you'd need to factor in the price of adding a graphics card.

marco_polo

GarIT wrote: »

The PC I mentioned is more powerful than any i5 I think as well as the older i7s.

The PC you have there has no graphics card, everything else is good, but you'd need to factor in the price of adding a graphics card.

It is a good CPU but sandybrige i5s have AMD X6s well beaten most on most benchmarks.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/the-sandy-bridge-review-intel-core-i7-2600k-i5-2500k-core-i3-2100-tested

Trevor451

You should defently build a computer yourself or get someone to build the PC for you. I have read that Ankermann PC do not have the best Customer service if anything goes wrong.

Have a look at this forum. You will save yourself a lot of money.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=842

twig

GarIT wrote: »

The PC I mentioned is more powerful than any i5 I think as well as the older i7s.

The PC you have there has no graphics card, everything else is good, but you'd need to factor in the price of adding a graphics card.

How much would a half decent Graphics card set me back these days? I have a ful hd monitor..

Trevor451 wrote: »

You should defently build a computer yourself or get someone to build the PC for you. I have read that Ankermann PC do not have the best Customer service if anything goes wrong.

Have a look at this forum. You will save yourself a lot of money.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=842

I dunno will i have the time.. I've thought about it but i could really do with new pc within a week or so.. Can't really find anything around tho..

IrishMetalhead

would you consider getting a custom pc built for you?
it's alot cheaper and you get a hell of more quality and perfomance.
theres loads of us one boards.ie who are willing to help you out with one and to even build it for you

Caveman1

I recommend this one

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3649853/Special-K-fastest-computer-ever.html

GarIT

twig wrote: »

How much would a half decent Graphics card set me back these days? I have a ful hd monitor..

I haven't been looking in a while so I'm not fully sure, but if you look in the right places you could get a decent one for €70-€100 + shipping, you'd get a good one for around €150 + shipping

IrishMetalhead

how much would your budget be on the whole thing btw?

twig

IrishMetalhead wrote: »

how much would your budget be on the whole thing btw?

Sorry was away for last ten days.. erm dunno really under 1000 (Absolute max) id say. Would prefer to just get a good one already made but they seem hard to come across

Read on the building forum that "hardwareversand - very good rep, and they'll build it for you for 20 euros " thats not a bad option?

IrishMetalhead

the best possible option as you get more for your money having it custom made for you.
so if you want i can spec you up something on hardwareversand for lets say between 700 to 800 beings that your not really using it for heavy gaming.

IrishMetalhead

Just specced something for just under €800 which is well capable of HD video editing\rendering and of course abit of gaming:

CPU: Intel Core i5 2400 - €150.42
http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=41226&agid=1617

Motherboard: MSI P67A-GD53 B3 Rev. - €110.71
http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=44931&agid=1601

RAM: 8GB Kingston HyperX Blu 1333MHz - €53.97
http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=44143&agid=1192

Graphics Card: 1GB XFX Radeon HD6870 - €141.72
http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=39467&agid=1004

HDD: 1TB Western Digital Caviar Blue 6Gb/s - €48.86
http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=39658&agid=1342

Disc Drive: Sony NEC Optiarc AD-7260S DVD+RW - €17.84
http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=36860&agid=699

Case: CoolerMaster 690 II Advanced - €91.79
http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=38383&agid=631
(or choose your own case)

PSU: SuperFlower Amazon 550W - €52.45
http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=30069&agid=1628

OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit - €74.51
http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=28239&agid=185
(Gonna have to download the English version and just use the CD-Key or just get Windows 7 somewhere else)

Assembly Service - €20
http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=746&agid=829

Shipping - €30

Total - €792.27

What you think?

twig

IrishMetalhead wrote: »

Just specced something for just under €800 which is well capable of HD video editing\rendering and of course abit of gaming:

CPU: Intel Core i5 2400 - €150.42
http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=41226&agid=1617

Motherboard: MSI P67A-GD53 B3 Rev. - €110.71
http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=44931&agid=1601

RAM: 8GB Kingston HyperX Blu 1333MHz - €53.97
http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=44143&agid=1192

Graphics Card: 1GB XFX Radeon HD6870 - €141.72
http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=39467&agid=1004

HDD: 1TB Western Digital Caviar Blue 6Gb/s - €48.86
http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=39658&agid=1342

Disc Drive: Sony NEC Optiarc AD-7260S DVD+RW - €17.84
http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=36860&agid=699

Case: CoolerMaster 690 II Advanced - €91.79
http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=38383&agid=631
(or choose your own case)

PSU: SuperFlower Amazon 550W - €52.45
http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=30069&agid=1628

OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit - €74.51
http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=28239&agid=185
(Gonna have to download the English version and just use the CD-Key or just get Windows 7 somewhere else)

Assembly Service - €20
http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=746&agid=829

Shipping - €30

Total - €792.27

What you think?

Thanks

Sounds nice that.. ill get windows 7 somewhere else because i need the 32bit..

Just now a keyboard and mouse (http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=20773&agid=752 ) that ok? or better?

Thanks very much! Imma buy it today i think!

IrishMetalhead

you need to run 64bit to run more than 3.5gb of ram so 32bit os's are completely usless on high end systems as there very limiting on performance

edit: also don't buy a keyboard from germany as it will be in german layout where as you need one in uk\irish

twig

IrishMetalhead wrote: »

you need to run 64bit to run more than 3.5gb of ram so 32bit os's are completely usless on high end systems as there very limiting on performance

edit: also don't buy a keyboard from germany as it will be in german layout where as you need one in uk\irish

hmmm crap.. I'll need to do a bit of googling to find the drivers..

kk so keyboard mouse ill get locally..

Whats deal with windows 64 bit so.. If i buy off them its in german? I've searched to download but do i download the english version illegally then enter the purchased key?

Thanks:)

IrishMetalhead

technaclly downloading the software isn't illegal if your using it with a ligit key, it's the dodgey copys that are pre cracked or with cracks that are illegal, so make sure you get a untouched ligit copy of it.

also what drivers do you need to get?
windows 7 will more than likely have the drivers for it pre-loaded or will automaticly install it when your connected to the net

twig

IrishMetalhead wrote: »

technaclly downloading the software isn't illegal if your using it with a ligit key, it's the dodgey copys that are pre cracked or with cracks that are illegal, so make sure you get a untouched ligit copy of it.

also what drivers do you need to get?
windows 7 will more than likely have the drivers for it pre-loaded or will automaticly install it when your connected to the net

kk any recommendations where to download? Saw one download from tpp but thats blocked on eircom..

There for my Easycap..

Fluffy88

You can get 64-bit Windows 7 Home Premium here
http://msft-dnl.digitalrivercontent.net/msvista/pub/X15-65733/X15-65733.iso

twig

Ok so i ordered.. Whats the deal with paying?
I see this


That ok or have i f**ked up? :cool:


Oh wait i got email.. do i bank transfer the full amount yes?

IrishMetalhead

yes you do.
most german retailers are very paranoid about credit card theft so as a result most of them don't accept them

twig

IrishMetalhead wrote: »

yes you do.
most german retailers are very paranoid about credit card theft so as a result most of them don't accept them

Thanks for all your help!

I did the bank transfer this morning and got the fast one so they should have the money tomorrow.. I presume they will send confirmation email?

Thanks again

twig

Alright lads so the rig came and it looks amazing.. Everythings hooked up but the monitor i have isn't picking up the computer.. It keeps displaying "no video input".. I'm using a DVI to HDMI is that ok? or should i go get a DVI to DV.. Its a Philips 22inch monitor " Philips 22 inch Full-HD LCD monitor"

Prob a stupid question but its killing me

I think i'm plugging it into the wrong area.. I'll go buy a DVI to DVI and see if that works.

IrishMetalhead

could be something as simple as a break in the vable somewhere, what way do you have the cable in? is the hdmi in the monitor or the graphics card?

twig

IrishMetalhead wrote: »

could be something as simple as a break in the vable somewhere, what way do you have the cable in? is the hdmi in the monitor or the graphics card?

THE HDMI is in the graphics card.. Bought a dvi to dvi and that didnt work either.. Like the screen is picking up that the cables are in both places but isnt getting any "video input". Im baffled


dont.. restarted the computer and it picked up the cables..

Now on screen it says

"reboot and select proper boot device
or insert boot media in selected boot device and press a key"


Done again.. windows is loading files now..

Never put batteries in the keyboard.. I never fail to amaze myself



Thanks very much to everyone who helped me get this kit together it's amazing.. Thanks especially to IrishMetalHead you've been a true gent A Pleasure

IrishMetalhead

not a bother man just doing what i love.
how about posting pics of this new machine?
always love to see how new builds turn out

twig

IrishMetalhead wrote: »

not a bother man just doing what i love.
how about posting pics of this new machine?
always love to see how new builds turn out

Give me few days i must move around room and crap first.. It's getting its own special corner next to my new tv and xbox..

Any ideas on a good big full hd but cheap tv? Or a place for cheap new xbox 360's ?

IrishMetalhead

hwat size tv will you be looking for?

Fluffy88

That pc should outperform an xbox 360 in most games. Why bother getting one

IrishMetalhead

most? surely you mean all =P
that pc you have now is way more powerful then any console out there, shame your not a pc gamer tho

Jonny7

Grab a game like Battlefield bad company 2 (I think its like 15 euros on steam at the moment) .. crank the graphics up to the last.. coming from an xbox the results should be interesting

If you are cashstrapped.. there should be demos you can download and try out

Fluffy88

IrishMetalhead wrote: »

most? surely you mean all =P

Yeah I'm not a gamer and wasn't fully sure so I didn't want to shoot myself in the foot

FPS's were made to play on PC you should defo look into trying one out. You can get Bad Company 2 here for cheap. https://g2keys.com/product/1/battlefield-bad-company-2.html

twig

IrishMetalhead wrote: »

hwat size tv will you be looking for?

Erm dunno really maybe a 37inch.

Fluffy88 wrote: »

That pc should outperform an xbox 360 in most games. Why bother getting one

I'm not really a pc gamer tbh. Football manager is as far as it goes . I enjoy my consoles on big tvs

twig

My 100th comment

But does anyone know how i can turn down the fan speed? I know theres loads of them but there making a fair bit of noise..

Thanks