Caught between a rock and a hard place...

Craig B

As a few of you know I have posted a thread on a 900 PC build. Turns out, I'm not allowed buy from abroad.
I have to buy from an Irish store so I get piece of mind. I have gotten two quotes and I know there not the best value.
I will post the quotes, 1 from Max Burns and 1 from a guy called leinster PC.

I am posting this thread to ask for help sorta. Can anyone recommend somewhere to buy somewhere else so that I can get piece of mind nearby the Dublin/Kildare area.
I cannot buy second hand and I need at least 1 year warranty. If someone here would buy all the parts and build one for me I would probably buy it with the permission but you would have to offer warranty :L

Thanks.

Quote 1 (Max Burns)
Windows 7 Trial (I have a copy at home)
i5 3570k
ASRock Z77 Pro 3
ASUS Radeon HD 7850 DirectCU II
Seagate 1TB Barracuda Green
G.Skill 8GB (2x4GB) Dual Channel Kit Ripjaws Red
Sony dvd-rw
Zalman Z9 Black Midi Tower Case (ATX/M-ATX)
Antec 520W ATX 12v v2.3 Power Supply

Total: 940


Quote 2 leinster PC
Intel Core i5-3570K Box, LGA1155
DVD/RW
Samsung SSD 830 64GB SATA 6GB's
Antec High Current Gamer HCG-520
Seagate Barracuda 7200 2000GB, SATA 6Gb/s
Sharkoon T9 Value Red Edition
Crucial 8GB 1600MHz
ASRock Fatal1ty Z77 Performance
2GB MSI R7850 Power Edition 2GD5/OC
Arctic Cooling Freezer i30 CPU Cooler
Tp-Link 150Mbps
Also it has
Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit with the latest Microsoft updates and hardware drivers installed
Keyboard & Mouse
Bitdefender 2011 Pro Antivirus
And 1 programme and 1 game of my choice.

I'm a bit wary of leinster PC as I wonder how does he get all that software.
Like, that amount of software has to cost loads.

Anyways, total: 1360!! (Overbudget much?) but I'll have to fork it together, maybe borrow a few quid of someone.

Eboggles

Is dabs ok? You'd get a better build from there.

Craig B

No I cant buy online, only in store.

Tea_Bag

I can guarantee you'll get better piece of mind with the Germans.

and how is leinster PC still going? wasn't he reported for giving out cracked windows and Photoshop etc? what happens if you need to format the drive in 6 months time?

for the lols, ask him if you get a licence with that windows, and if you can play the game online.

deceit

How come your not allowed buy online or abroad?
for piece of mind I would trust any of the bigger online retailers over any shop thats in ireland at the moment?

Craig B

ok, will do
I was wary of that, I will ask him when I feel bothered. Also what I mean by piece of mind is that I can walk in to a shop, leave it there under warranty and pick it up a few days later.

Craig B

I'm not allowed buy abroad cause my dad doesnt like the idea of spending hundreds of euro online and if something goes wrong having to ship it to germany

Eboggles

Komplett?

Craig B

The only loophole I can think of is if one of you guys built one for me but I would have to talk to my dad first.

Craig B

Ill try but do they assemble it?

Eboggles

Nope, but I'm positive someone would like to chip in to build it. What's your budget and do you need peripherals?

Craig B

Budget would be up to 1000 with keyboard and mouse.
No monitor needed.

Craig B

I'll put one together now

Eboggles

Craig B wrote: »

I'll put one together now

So will I

Craig B

Eboggles wrote: »

So will I

you win, nearly all my components are OOS

devnull

You really need to buy online if you can. Generally most of the decent parts are impossible to get in retail stores, and even if they are possible, which is doubtful, they are very over-priced to say the least.

I built a machine from a mix of online retailers nearly five years ago now, and I figured I saved at least 200-250 euro by doing it that way and got exactly what I want and the parts I wanted from the brands I wanted. The result has been what I must say is my proudest build.

I've had this machine now for almost 5 years and it's still going strong, not a single hardware failure, two blue screens in five years, both of which were caused by Windows Update continually updating a driver to the incorrect one, and performance that has not deteriorated at all.

I really should build something new in the next year or two, but then again this machine is quite nice apart from the graphics card still to this day, but I'm short of cash so it'll have to wait.

Tea_Bag

what about komplett.ie?

your dad will think he's buying in bricks if you pick it up from the pickup point in Blanchards town. actually, in a way it is a bricks and mortar.

Craig B

Tea_Bag wrote: »

what about komplett.ie?

your dad will think he's buying in bricks if you pick it up from the pickup point in Blanchards town. actually, in a way it is a bricks and mortar.

What?

Eboggles

Hard to keep under budget, as the cheaper items were OOS, so you'll have to make do with a 7870

Item|Price
Intel Core i3 2120 3.3GHz 3MB S1155|€119.95
ASRock Z77 Pro4 - Socket 1155 - ATX|€121.95
Corsair XMS3 - 8 GB - 1333MHz -PC3-10600|€54.95
MSI Radeon R7870 Twin Frozr 2GD5/OC - 2GB - PCI-E|€349.00
A-Data HM-650 - 650 Watt - ATX|€79.99
Power Adapter from Schuko to UK adapter|€0.00
Seagate 500GB SATA-600 7200rpm 16MB|€79.95
Thermaltake Commander MS-I - Mid tower - no PSU|€52.95
Logitech G400 Gaming Mouse - Optical|€39.95
Razer Arctosa -Gaming Keyboard -Wired|€54.95
Shipping|FREE
Total|€953.64

There's no disc drive in there, and I didn't know if you needed Windows.

Craig B

Eboggles wrote: »

Hard to keep under budget, as the cheaper items were OOS, so you'll have to make do with a 7870

Item|Price
Intel Core i3 2120 3.3GHz 3MB S1155|€119.95
ASRock Z77 Pro4 - Socket 1155 - ATX|€121.95
Corsair XMS3 - 8 GB - 1333MHz -PC3-10600|€54.95
MSI Radeon R7870 Twin Frozr 2GD5/OC - 2GB - PCI-E|€349.00
A-Data HM-650 - 650 Watt - ATX|€79.99
Power Adapter from Schuko to UK adapter|€0.00
Seagate 500GB SATA-600 7200rpm 16MB|€79.95
Thermaltake Commander MS-I - Mid tower - no PSU|€52.95
Logitech G400 Gaming Mouse - Optical|€39.95
Razer Arctosa -Gaming Keyboard -Wired|€54.95
Shipping|FREE
Total|€953.64

There's no disc drive in there, and I didn't know if you needed Windows.

i3 :O will that not be a bottleneck? Also I will cut back on the keyboard, a basic one will do me.

Eboggles

Nope, it's a crazy processor for the price. Have a look at some reviews.

Craig B

Eboggles wrote: »

Nope, it's a crazy processor for the price. Have a look at some reviews.

Ok, will do. I'll get that, save a bit and sell it on for like 80 when I get a 3570k.

Eboggles

That's the idea .

Craig B

Eboggles wrote: »

That's the idea .

Or I can get the 3570k now and it will only be 1050, probably cheaper that way...
And I can probably say its for business and get a VAT back..........

Eboggles

Yeah, if you can stretch for it I can't see why not, maybe go for an i5 2500k instead? Arguably the same, and overclocks better than the 3570k, not to mention it's cheaper.

Craig B

Eboggles wrote: »

Yeah, if you can stretch for it I can't see why not, maybe go for an i5 2500k instead? Arguably the same, and overclocks better than the 3570k, not to mention it's cheaper.

Well I read the 3570k is better in performance from 2500k, like a 4.0 ghz 3570k was about a 4.3 ghz 2500k.

Eboggles

Craig B wrote: »

Well I read the 3570k is better in performance from 2500k, like a 4.0 ghz 3570k was about a 4.3 ghz 2500k.

But it's easier to get a 2500k to 4.3ghz than a 3570k to 4.0ghz, as the temperatures are lower on the 2500k. That said, those clocks are fairly low, but if you try a 2500k at 4.6-4.7 ghz, and do likewise with the 3570k, you'll see how hot IB is.

They're both great chips though.

Craig B

Eboggles wrote: »

But it's easier to get a 2500k to 4.3ghz than a 3570k to 4.0ghz, as the temperatures are lower on the 2500k. That said, those clocks are fairly low, but if you try a 2500k at 4.6-4.7 ghz, and do likewise with the 3570k, you'll see how hot IB is.

They're both great chips though.

I think I'll get a 3570k and then save up for a H100

FlyingIrishMan

I've seen some of that Leinster PC guy's stuff on Adverts.
It is rediculous how much he overcharges, over 400euro more than it would cost to buy it off the likes of HWVS.
Plus the fact that he is telling people he is giving away thousands worth of software for free which is no way legal.

Craig B

I have finally made a crack I'm aloud get a gaming laptop So how are these two 1 2 personally I'm going for 1, but what do you guys think.

Eboggles

Gaming laptop? Bit of an oxymoron if you ask me.

If I were you (I'm not though, so don't take this too seriously) I'd get down on my knees and beg your dad to change his mind over the desktop, It'd really be worth your while .

Craig B

Well I've tried that, but this pretty much the exception...

Procrastastudy

Order from Komplett and don't pay for the stuff. You can then go into the outlet in Blanch (if you can find it! ) and pay by card in the 'shop'.

You will pay 50 - 100% more buying from a shop and won't get current gen components. You'll be lucky to find Sandybridge in most stores.

Don't by a laptop unless you're made of money and can afford to buy a new one in two years time.

Also go for the i5-3570K imo - the chip doesn't clock to the same frequency but is clock for clock faster. So if you're going at 4.5Ghz on the 3570K it's like 4.7/4.8 on a 2500K. You also get PCIe 3.0 (useful for the future) and the ability to use the HD4000 GPU on the processor to boost your framerates a bit in some games.

runawaybishop

Eboggles wrote: »

Nope, but I'm positive someone would like to chip in to build it. What's your budget and do you need peripherals?

Komplett used to assemble for free - do they not even have an assembly offer any more?

Craig B wrote: »

I have finally made a crack I'm aloud get a gaming laptop

A desktop will be a bajillion times better Euro for Euro than any gaming laptop. They are also far easier to upgrade in a couple of years and so will last you a lot better.

Craig B

I know desktops are better etc. but I cant buy one, I have to buy the laptop and buy a desktop down the line (like 2 years) trust me, I've had enough of them points/facts to give to my dad but he said that laptop now, desktop down the line :O

runawaybishop

Craig B wrote: »

I know desktops are better etc. but I cant buy one, I have to buy the laptop and buy a desktop down the line (like 2 years) trust me, I've had enough of them points/facts to give to my dad but he said that laptop now, desktop down the line :O

Fair enough,never look a gift horse in the mouth and all that. Is it just me or did you link the same laptop twice?

Craig B

runawaybishop wrote: »

Fair enough,never look a gift horse in the mouth and all that. Is it just me or did you link the same laptop twice?

Woops, the other one is probably not worth mentioning, last gen stuff so I'll stick with the MSI.

Procrastastudy

That seems to mention a 128GB SSD and then doesn't include it in the spec - I'd check that.

Craig B

GCDLawstudent wrote: »

That seems to mention a 128GB SSD and then doesn't include it in the spec - I'd check that.

Ye that had me wondering, I'll still try my luck one last time with the desktop.

Procrastastudy

LOL - I wouldnt push it!

That is one nice Lappy if it comes with a 128GB SSD - I think they've just messed up the title though

Still not a bad machine - load times will be a bit crap though.

They'll also give you that stpuid clip on adaptor thinggy rather than a UK plug

Fluffy88

Dell have an Inspiron 17 SE atm that's got the same spec as the MSI for the same price or with 6GB of RAM for €50 less or scale back the CPU to a dual core i5 for €970.
http://www.dell.com/ie/p/inspiron-17r-se-7720/fs
I'm trying to find one of Dells 10% off codes that they usually run all the time but I think their latest set ran out yesterday so it might be a few days before new codes come online. I generally use this site to get the codes, http://promotionalcodes.ie/dell-promotional-codes/

They are all 17.1" laptops though, not sure if that puts you off.
I currently use a Dell XPS L702x which is a 17.1" and has a GT 555M and I LOVE it!! Plays all new games at high to Ultra settings at 1080p, I don't find the size too big in-fact I find 15.6" laptops feel like little toys now :P

The one thing I would say about the MSI is 1080p at 15.6" would make writing on websites and the like extremely small. If you can, it might be best to get your hands on a 1080p 15.6" display to see if you would like it.

Another option is this, http://www.deviltech.de/deviltech.php/sid/8bc9cd21b35dc95e560a395189ad1332/cl/alist/cnid/8a142c3e4143562a5.46426637
Add €90 to the price of each of the laptops for Windows 7 HP 64bit.
The first one will give you a GTX 670M + i5-3210M for €1080 that's a pretty insane price

Craig B

Fluffy88 wrote: »

Dell have an Inspiron 17 SE atm that's got the same spec as the MSI for the same price or with 6GB of RAM for €50 less or scale back the CPU to a dual core i5 for €970.
http://www.dell.com/ie/p/inspiron-17r-se-7720/fs
I'm trying to find one of Dells 10% off codes that they usually run all the time but I think their latest set ran out yesterday so it might be a few days before new codes come online. I generally use this site to get the codes, http://promotionalcodes.ie/dell-promotional-codes/

They are all 17.1" laptops though, not sure if that puts you off.
I currently use a Dell XPS L702x which is a 17.1" and has a GT 555M and I LOVE it!! Plays all new games at high to Ultra settings at 1080p, I don't find the size too big in-fact I find 15.6" laptops feel like little toys now :P

The one thing I would say about the MSI is 1080p at 15.6" would make writing on websites and the like extremely small. If you can, it might be best to get your hands on a 1080p 15.6" display to see if you would like it.

Another option is this, http://www.deviltech.de/deviltech.php/sid/8bc9cd21b35dc95e560a395189ad1332/cl/alist/cnid/8a142c3e4143562a5.46426637
Add €90 to the price of each of the laptops for Windows 7 HP 64bit.
The first one will give you a GTX 670M + i5-3210M for €1080 that's a pretty insane price

I've read that dells (alienware) switch to intergrated graphics when unplugged, do other models (XPS etc) do this?

Fluffy88

It's called Optimus and it's a feature of the nVidia GPU so they should all have it.
Not sure what the story is with an AMD CPU in terms of Optimus but I doubt you will even be considering anything other than Sandy/Ivy Bridge in that price range.

Craig B

I'm now aloud get a PC . But I have to wait till August, ah well, small sacrifice :P.

Even with new tech I'm more than likely going to get the following build but with some small changes (CPU GPU etc.) depending on whats out at that time.

Item|Price
Cooler Master Sniper AMD - Midi Tower - noPSU|€127.95
Asus DVD Burner - 24B5ST|€29.95
Corsair XMS3 DIMM- 8GB 1600MHz PC3-12800|€54.95
MSI Radeon R7870 Twin Frozr 2GD5/OC - 2GB - PCI-E|€349.00
Seagate 1TB 3.5" SATA-600 7200rpm 32MB|€99.00
A-Data HM-650 - 650 Watt - ATX|€79.99
Power Adapter from Schuko to UK adapter|€0.00
Logitech G400 Gaming Mouse - Optical|€39.95
Microsoft Comfort Curve 3000 - Keyboard|€24.95
ASRock Z77 Extreme4 - Socket 1155 - ATX|€139.95
Intel core i5 3570K 3.2GHz 6MB S1155|€224.95
Shipping|FREE
Total|€1,170.64

Procrastastudy

Go for a 7950 for €30 more and you need an SSD in there somewhere. Given your tender years I'm assuming you can get Windows though the education thinggy.

Procrastastudy

My first time doing this so be gentle :P

Item|Price
Thermaltake Commander MS-I - Mid tower - no PSU|€52.95
Intel core i5 3570K 3.2GHz 6MB S1155|€224.95
ASRock Z77 Extreme4 - Socket 1155 - ATX|€139.95
Microsoft Comfort Curve 3000 - Keyboard|€24.95
Logitech G400 Gaming Mouse - Optical|€39.95
Corsair - Builder CX600 V2 - 600 Watt|€67.95
Seagate 1TB 3.5" SATA-600 7200rpm 32MB|€99.00
MSI Radeon R7950-2PMD3GD5/OC - 3GB - PCI-E|€379.00
Asus DVD Burner - 24B5ST|€29.95
Corsair Hydro Series H60 - 120mm|€69.95
Corsair XMS3 DIMM- 8GB 1600MHz PC3-12800|€54.95


TOTAL 1183.55

Check with the lads on here ref the case - but the one you were going for looked very expensive. Water cooler as I know its half way decent and didn't know about the air coolers listed. Also check the PSU - Komplett seems a bit expensive so just toned it down a bit - not 100% sure about that PSU. Cooler on the 7950 isn't as good at the 7870 but the performace will be better do so no need to over clock as much.

Item|Price
Thermaltake Commander MS-I - Mid tower - no PSU|€52.95
Intel core i5 3570K 3.2GHz 6MB S1155|€224.95
ASRock Z77 Extreme4 - Socket 1155 - ATX|€139.95
Microsoft Comfort Curve 3000 - Keyboard|€24.95
Logitech G400 Gaming Mouse - Optical|€39.95
Corsair - Builder CX600 V2 - 600 Watt|€67.95
Seagate 1TB 3.5" SATA-600 7200rpm 32MB|€99.00
MSI Radeon R7950-2PMD3GD5/OC - 3GB - PCI-E|€379.00
Asus DVD Burner - 24B5ST|€29.95
Corsair Hydro Series H60 - 120mm|€69.95
Corsair XMS3 DIMM- 8GB 1600MHz PC3-12800|€54.95
Crucial M4 SSD 128GB 2.5" SATA-600|€126.95
Total|1310.50


With SSD. You only had the stock cooler in your build btw so you could take out the H60 water cooler.

You could go for a 7850 and OC it if you need to save money for the SSD.

This is fun

Okay last one

Item|Price
Thermaltake Commander MS-I - Mid tower - no PSU|€52.95
Intel core i5 3570K 3.2GHz 6MB S1155|€224.95
ASRock Z77 Extreme4 - Socket 1155 - ATX|€139.95
Microsoft Comfort Curve 3000 - Keyboard|€24.95
Logitech G400 Gaming Mouse - Optical|€39.95
Corsair - Builder CX600 V2 - 600 Watt|€67.95
Seagate 1TB 3.5" SATA-600 7200rpm 32MB|€99.00
Asus DVD Burner - 24B5ST|€29.95
Corsair XMS3 DIMM- 8GB 1600MHz PC3-12800|€54.95
Crucial M4 SSD 128GB 2.5" SATA-600|€126.95
Sapphire Radeon HD7850 - 2GB - PCI-E|€249.00
TOTAL|1110.55


Stock cooler and a 7850 so the SSD come in on budget and leaves you some money for an OS. I take it you don't need a monitor?

Craig B

No monitor or OS needed, I have win 7 hp 64 bit on a disc that i got from PC world, nice builds!
Also I cant buy till August and I like the big flashy case i linked. And the PSU I linked was 80+ so it is decent enough and was modular.
Now, the waiting begins