£400 PC from a local shop

[fenurch]

So I sent an e-mail to the company that is providing me with this grant and they said that I CANNOT buy a PC by parts (so I have to buy a pre-assembled tower). So now it's just a pure race to find whatever is the best bang for the buck for the humble £400 I have.

Had a little revelation too, went to the PCWorld website just for the sake of going there to have a wee browse through their PC's and was pleasantly surprised by what they pack in for quite small amounts of money. Also came across this - LINK which is actually a pretty good pre-assembled PC for the price (just because of the processor, amount of ram, HDD and that it has licensed Win 7). Really didn't expect to see something like this on the possibly most commercial PC shop in UK. Now, the only real let down is the VGA but I'm sure I could still use it with pretty alright results for about 3 months I'll have to live with it. So this specific PC is something I'm definitely thinking about as buying a PC by parts isn't an option anymore. So, what's your opinions?

Also, what's a better CPU - X4 9650 or Q8300?

 

[brandonwh64]

The only thing that worries me is the Motherboard and VGA.
Motherboard for the reasons that it's a cheap Gigabyte one that can't be upgraded (e.g. it only has 2 PCI slots and VGA will probably block one of them anyway) and the VGA (isn't the 9800GT really old and well, crap? )

So I've made up a little system myself to see what you think and would this be an improvment over yours or a downgrade especially CPU/MOTHERBOARD/VGA-wise.

http://i48.tinypic.com/33yg6d4.jpg




The CD Drive really doesn't matter since I've had my current PC for about 3 years and I've used a CD on it for about 3-4 times.


Or how about this - 2 Different i3 Systems (530 & 540)
http://i49.tinypic.com/ao9e6w.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/aeb97s.jpg

Great builds but all of them are missing memory

 

[El_Mayo]

Also, what's a better CPU - X4 9650 or Q8300?

X4 9650
definately
Shouldn't make a major difference when gaming so get what's cheaper

Great builds but all of them are missing memory

 

[pantherx12]

So I sent an e-mail to the company that is providing me with this grant and they said that I CANNOT buy a PC by parts (so I have to buy a pre-assembled tower). So now it's just a pure race to find whatever is the best bang for the buck for the humble £400 I have.

Had a little revelation too, went to the PCWorld website just for the sake of going there to have a wee browse through their PC's and was pleasantly surprised by what they pack in for quite small amounts of money. Also came across this - LINK which is actually a pretty good pre-assembled PC for the price (just because of the processor, amount of ram, HDD and that it has licensed Win 7). Really didn't expect to see something like this on the possibly most commercial PC shop in UK. Now, the only real let down is the VGA but I'm sure I could still use it with pretty alright results for about 3 months I'll have to live with it. So this specific PC is something I'm definitely thinking about as buying a PC by parts isn't an option anymore. So, what's your opinions?

Also, what's a better CPU - X4 9650 or Q8300?

Fuck it man, go to ebay!

just get in contact with seller ( they have to be an actual shop not a user obviously)

You'll get an invoice and receipt : ]

You can get quad cores for like 399 quid only problem is psus that come with them are OEM sort of deals so you'd want to be changing that when you can using your own cash.

Also before you purchase a rig be sure to get in contact with seller and ask if the motherboard bios supports overclocking

sorted.

 

[fenurch]

Fuck it man, go to ebay!

just get in contact with seller ( they have to be an actual shop not a user obviously)

You'll get an invoice and receipt : ]

You can get quad cores for like 399 quid only problem is psus that come with them are OEM sort of deals so you'd want to be changing that when you can using your own cash.

Also before you purchase a rig be sure to get in contact with seller and ask if the motherboard bios supports overclocking

sorted.

Now that raises yet another problem (See it's very complicated)
There's no chance my mother will use fleebay, I've talked to her about this before and yeah, I just got rejected ^^ So yeah

 

[pantherx12]

Now that raises yet another problem (See it's very complicated)
There's no chance my mother will use fleebay, I've talked to her about this before and yeah, I just got rejected ^^ So yeah

Really?

But ebay shops are the same as any other shop, only they don't have to pay for hosting etc.

Also if the item is "buy it now" your protected by long distance selling regulations so can return the product ( after applying for RMA) for no freaken reason at all, even if just don't like the look of the thing

Also if they state the item has a warranty on the page then they're legally required to back that warranty up too.

I would have another talk with your mum, seems she doesn't understand how ebay works




Oh if balls go to the walls check out arbico.co.uk ( think that's right URL) they have pretty cheap rigs.

Again same deal with subpar psus unless you buy their fancy ones.


Infact

http://www.arbico.co.uk/Arbico-Performance-Pentium-D-Custom-Built-Computer-p-17353.html

this is alreet, click customise and change gpu to HD4850 and your set, will come to 395 : ]

 

[fenurch]

Really?

But ebay shops are the same as any other shop, only they don't have to pay for hosting etc.

Also if the item is "buy it now" your protected by long distance selling regulations so can return the product ( after applying for RMA) for no freaken reason at all, even if just don't like the look of the thing

Also if they state the item has a warranty on the page then they're legally required to back that warranty up too.

I would have another talk with your mum, seems she doesn't understand how ebay works




Oh if balls go to the walls check out arbico.co.uk ( think that's right URL) they have pretty cheap rigs.

Again same deal with subpar psus unless you buy their fancy ones.


Infact

http://www.arbico.co.uk/Arbico-Performance-Pentium-D-Custom-Built-Computer-p-17353.html

this is alreet, click customise and change gpu to HD4850 and your set, will come to 395 : ]

Meh, she really doesn't but she must be one of the most stubborn people alive. Really
Also thanks for the arbico link, I'll definetely keep that in mind ^^

 

[qubit]

ATZ, you might want to check out the following online retailers and see if they sell a useable PC at your price point:

www.scan.co.uk
www.microdirect.co.uk
www.ebuyer.com
www.dabs.com

 

[pantherx12]

ATZ, you might want to check out the following online retailers and see if they sell a useable PC at your price point:

www.scan.co.uk
www.microdirect.co.uk
www.ebuyer.com
www.dabs.com

I've never seen any prebuilt systems on any of those sites.

 

[InnocentCriminal]

:|

Trying to build a decent enough specification on that site is pretty difficult ATZ - it looks as if you're going to have to make some compromising now for the greater good. For example, don't purchase an ODD just yet as you can use your current one, same goes for the 7300GT.

Your current Mainboard has integrated GFX, so recycle the 7300GT until you can afford the GFX card you want, this also means you can afford to get better components. I'll try to make a specification that will give you some decent components for the budget you've provided.

This gives you room to chop and change things as well.

 

[qubit]

I've never seen any prebuilt systems on any of those sites.

Take a look, they do them.

I forgot www.overclockers.co.uk BTW.

 

[InnocentCriminal]

OcUK - YUK!

So I sent an e-mail to the company that is providing me with this grant and they said that I CANNOT buy a PC by parts (so I have to buy a pre-assembled tower). So now it's just a pure race to find whatever is the best bang for the buck for the humble £400 I have.

ARGH! Pre-assemble, weak! I completely missed that.

 

[qubit]

OcUK - YUK!

I know where you're coming from! That's probably why I forgot to mention them the first time.

 

[pantherx12]

Take a look, they do them.

I forgot www.overclockers.co.uk BTW.

I stand corrected, guess I'm to in the habit of building systems myself



I'd go for this one from ebuyer by the way

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/195260

 

[InnocentCriminal]

As much as it pains me to suggest anything from OcUK, these two rig are within your budget ATZ....

OcUK - Primo Flare

Novatech - Isys EX

I can't recommend OcUK from my own personal experiences with them being full on fuckin' nob gobblin' dildo lickers!

>.<

Novatech on the other hand, I've only ever had awesome service from them.

EDIT: That ex-display unit Panther has linked to is your best bet.

 

[qubit]

As much as it pains me to suggest anything from OcUK, these two rig are within your budget ATZ....

OcUK - Primo Flare

Novatech - Isys EX

I can't recommend OcUK from my own personal experiences with them being full on fuckin' nob gobblin' dildo lickers!

>.<

Novatech on the other hand, I've only ever had awesome service from them.

EDIT: That ex-display unit Panther has linked to is your best bet.

Ah crap, I forgot Novatech too - and I go there all the time!

 

[fenurch]

Hmm.. thanks for everyone's contribution, it was of great help.
Now I have around two weeks to find a PC for the £400.
Currently I'm leaning towards one Panther suggested from ebuyer + an acer 22" monitor with it for around £500 or so quid.

But nonetheless, big thanks for everyone's contribution.

 

[InnocentCriminal]

Never a problem, is the rig for yourself?

 

[fenurch]

Never a problem, is the rig for yourself?

Indeed, but if you read through the whole thread, you would understand how complicated and fucked up this whole thing has been But I'm actually really happy with getting the pre-built PC from ebuyer as it also has potential to be upgraded in the future.

 

[InnocentCriminal]

Indeed, but if you read through the whole thread, you would understand how complicated and fucked up this whole thing has been But I'm actually really happy with getting the pre-built PC from ebuyer as it also has potential to be upgraded in the future.

I must admit I did skim through as I'm at work.

Still, I'm glad you're happy. I'll be interested to see how it turns out.

 

[kurosagi01]

I stand corrected, guess I'm to in the habit of building systems myself



I'd go for this one from ebuyer by the way

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/195260

I would go for that comp.

 

[fenurch]

Now, out of thin air I have two options since mother isn't happy with a PC with no operating system and is willing to pay £70 for that (wtf!).

So these are two options (including the ebuyer PC, someone kindly suggested).

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/176496

or

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/189241

Simple as, which one for gaming? Don't look at the price difference. Give it a thought GFX + CPU wise since I do want the best for what little money I have .

 

[kurosagi01]

I would go for the 2nd one which is £400 because it has latest gadgets.

 

[AlienIsGOD]

Id go for the one with the 5750.

 

[fenurch]

Thanks to everyone's contribution, guess I'm gonna go for the second link one. Will post some pics once I get it and probably my thoughts etc whatever.