Full System purchase

[QBlank]

Ok, you lot seem to be very well educated in pc systems so whats the best site to buy a full system (inc monitor) for around £900-£1000 from? Ive googled and found 1000's but i dont know who to trust whos good value etc so i need some help!

Thanks! :kiss:

[shadow03]

pcspecialist.co.uk

very very cheap site:)

[WhiteKnight]

If you go for a brand name, go dell.

Otherwise shop around, and see where google takes you.

[Neon]

www.meshcomputers.co.uk

Build one yourself, far better :)

[Dementia]

I'm personally of the opinion that if someone isn't able to build and set up a complete computer themselves they shouldn't own one in the first place :P

Plus you get lots of advantages building one yourself as you know exactly what is in it and can be sure of the quality of the components, plus you get all the individual hardware warrenties without being ripped off for some dumb warrenty package from a brand name. (And then having to convince them that it wasn't user error).

If you do buy a complete system don't buy it from some dirt cheap supplier no-ones ever heard of as you will be in for trouble.

Someone mentioned Dell however they don't do AMD CPUs and the Athlon 64 is by far the best choice at the moment unless you really are on a minimam budget.

[Mingtea]

Yeah and nobody should buy a car if they can't build one.

Get a life, not everybody in the universe is a geek.

Anywho, from experience all I can say is dell seem to be ok, what I will say though is that I always recomend formatting the computer as soon as you purchase it because dell do install a load of crap.

For laptops i'm still sold on sony.






....... of course the best pre-built personal computers are apple ;)

[Losty]

http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/

They are based in Coventry, and I've found these guys to be very good.

[Dementia]

Mingtea: Firstly I think you missed the :P and took me a bit too seriously.

Secondly computers and cars are rather different. For a start the average user doesn't 'customise' cars very much and on the off chance that something does go wrong you take it to a garage to get it repaired.

On the other hand we are changing computers everytime we use them, installing software or changing settings for example, there is a lot more to go wrong. In addition they need upgrading a lot more often than cars. Following on from that the actual task of setting up a computer is very simple compared to something like a car and with a small bit of research it doesn't take very long to learn the fundamentals and saves you a lot of hassel when something does go wrong. Once you know how to build a computer, troubleshoot for dodgy hardware, install an operating system and back stuff up you are pretty much sorted for any problems that may show up, even if they could be fixed in a more simple way required more knowledge.

My neighbours for example are consistently breaking their computers (that they probably brought cheap from a company thats gone bankrupt) and despite having had computers for 10 years with many problems they still haven't tried to learn ANYTHING about them and instead just drop everything and run to me everytime something goes wrong.

You can make operating systems as fluffy as you like but the truth is you still really need the users to have some level of clue to stop things going wrong and sort them out if they do. There's a good reason people aren't allowed to drive on the roads without a license, yet anyone can buy and use a computer (if they have the money).

[Mingtea]

Again with the everybody is a geek assumption.

Average user X will not want to upgrade the PC, will not want to replace the motherboard because the Nforce 7 is so much better than there totally dated Nforce 6.9.8.7.1.

Average user X will buy a machine, have it for as long as it is useful, which belive me, for somebody simply crunching numbers, surfing the web, and maybe looking at photos is a VERY LONG TIME, what happens when Average User X's machine, breaks/becomes too slow/not pretty enough they sell it and buy a new one.

In my experience of people that's how it works, maybe you know a few more geeks than I do.

Of course there are no helping your friends that get the dodgy computer shop down the road to build a machine, they should always be pointed in the way of reputable computer manufacturers, these are usually the multi billion dollar companies and not Tiny. But then there are people who just buy cheap, and there is no excusing them. (cheap in quality not in FG sale)

However I do agree that some sort of compulsary training would be a very good idea, but it's a growing market so you know, maybe one day when owning a computer is more essential than a car for instance.

If my mum was to buy a PC but get stopped at the door for not knowing how to install PCI expansion cards or trade out the motherboard then she'd not bother, that'd be another AMD Athlon not sold and the tradeoff would be longer to wait for your AMD UBER ATHLON 3,400,000+++++++.

[QBlank]

Thanks for the help. I do know how to build a system, at the minute though i dont have any spare time at all but some spare cash floating around so why not let someone else build it for me?

Anyhoo went to dell:
P4 531 3ghz 800fsb 1mb cache (HT)
1024 pc4200 dual channel DDR2 533mhz
160gb HD
48x DVD/CDRW drive
17" Ultrasharp TM Flat panel
256mb Radeon X850 XT PE
soundblaster live 24bit sound card
Loads of bits and bobs (mouse, keyboard, speakers, sh*t software)

all that for £891 Inc Vat and delivery.
Thats gotta be good right?

[TimmyNoShoes]

Yeh sounds good, depends on the manufacturers of some of the hardware though, as stuff like memory and HD you dont say.

[Swyft]

do not use pcspecialist

I did, regretted ever since. Totaly incompetent staff unfortunately.

[Dementia]

Mingtea: Agree mostly with what you said. I'm not saying someone has to build it themselves and am considering it more akin to knowing how to fill up the windscreen washer/check the oil on a car, something that really is generally expected.

Most of building a computer can be got from reading the manuals that come with it anyway and they really are very helpful these days. (Assuming you aren't buying oem kit).

[Dementia]

Someone mentioned ecclipse, I live in coventry and have been in there a couple of times with friends and have been somewhat... shall we say, 'concerned' with the knowledge, or rather lack of, shown by their staff.

Alot of the prices were very dodgy too. That said I don't know anyone that has actually brought complete computer systems from them.

[Swyft]

I don't trust myself with cpu's and mobos.

I'd say thats more than basic knowledge, how to do it right.

[Zenith]

I was going to suggest a "known" name like Dell, Mesh or Elite. At least you have technical support on the end of the line and the comfort of a warranty.

Following on from what Mingtea said about some sort of computer training for Joe Public. Basic maintenance for your car is part of the driving test now, isn't it? It isn't unreasonable to make the same assumption that people should know basic maintenance with their PC.

With a car, you make sure the fluid levels are topped up and the tyres are at the right pressure. Once in a while you give the car a good valeting.
With a PC, you make sure the updates and your antivirus are up to date. Once in a while you give it a cleanout with something like Antispyware.

[DaeMord]

Originally posted by Dementia
Mingtea: Firstly I think you missed the :P and took me a bit too seriously.

Secondly computers and cars are rather different. For a start the average user doesn't 'customise' cars very much and on the off chance that something does go wrong you take it to a garage to get it repaired.

On the other hand we are changing computers everytime we use them, installing software or changing settings for example, there is a lot more to go wrong. In addition they need upgrading a lot more often than cars. Following on from that the actual task of setting up a computer is very simple compared to something like a car and with a small bit of research it doesn't take very long to learn the fundamentals and saves you a lot of hassel when something does go wrong. Once you know how to build a computer, troubleshoot for dodgy hardware, install an operating system and back stuff up you are pretty much sorted for any problems that may show up, even if they could be fixed in a more simple way required more knowledge.

My neighbours for example are consistently breaking their computers (that they probably brought cheap from a company thats gone bankrupt) and despite having had computers for 10 years with many problems they still haven't tried to learn ANYTHING about them and instead just drop everything and run to me everytime something goes wrong.

You can make operating systems as fluffy as you like but the truth is you still really need the users to have some level of clue to stop things going wrong and sort them out if they do. There's a good reason people aren't allowed to drive on the roads without a license, yet anyone can buy and use a computer (if they have the money).

I could happily point you in the direction of somebody who would totally dissagree with that because he does to cars what obviously you and i do to PC's take them apart and put them back together again, knows them inside and out, it would be easy for him to turn around and say the same thing about cars, however i once got a phone call from him (honest) asking me how he turned his shiney new PC on.


However i would say that custom built is better than purchased, so if you know a geek, get them to build it, if not then shop around, google is your friend and see what you can find.

[Er00]

I'd say dell, they're very reliable, I still use a dell from *thinks* about 12 years ago running 98 for some stuff and it's going fine, never had any problems with it. But as someone said, make sure you format because they, like most other big companies install a world of crap.

[QBlank]

Cheers for the replies think ill go with Dell as they have some good offers on at the min, i could build one myself but for the sake of running around and waiting for seperate bits to come at different times id rather just get it all at once. Considering ive still got a p3550 i think it will last me a while :D.

[/|/|umm-R@]

Let me build ya one ;)

[fritna]

before you buy a custom PC or a Cheap PC make sure you visit the Site comparison Top 5 PC shops site...
whatpcshop.co.uk

[zhardoum]

Can I just say I build and sell pcs, from my shop..

I am not dirt cheap, but I do build the pcs exactly to spec, i sit down with all my clients, ask precise questiosn what they are planning on using it for, for how long they intend to use it and what thought they have given to an upgrade path for the future.

From there I price up usually 3 or 4 quotes, and then wave the customer goodbye.. they are free then to look at other companies offers in their own time, no pressure from me..

often they are back within a couple of days, I then take a 20% deposit and order the parts, when the parts arrive I invite them to watch me build it, and if they so wish, ill help them build it themselves.

once the pc is done, I hook it up to my network and let the client play with it for as long as they wish, if they have games they want on it, ill install it for them and patch them as well (legal copies only, same as OS).

When all thats done, and they are 100% satisfied with the pc, including having tested it for as long as they wish, I get paid, and not until.

In four years I have sold hmm, somewhere around 80 odd pcs, I dont make a huge markup on building pcs but i do get very satisfied clients. In those 4 years I had one pc back, the psu blew up during a storm, I swapped it and replaced it myself and sent the old psu back under warranty and even paid the postage on the return out of my own pocket.

Not all small system builders are rip off merchants, but finding a good one is like finding a needle in a haystack and this I appreciate, I dont advertise other than by word of mouth.. and i am steadily gaining ground.

The big companies are very good at grabbing your cash and running, smaller companies like myself if they are good, should take the time to talk to you, and lead you by the hand part by part, piece by piece and build you a system you need, not one they want you to have.

Don't dismiss smaller builders like myself out of hand, my prices are at worst 10% dearer than dell, but the difference is, I use good components every step of the way and take personal interest in every pc I have sold and built.

[bright_]

wtf this threads over a year old!

[BiGfella]

I'm personally of the opinion that if someone isn't able to build and set up a complete computer themselves they shouldn't own one in the first place :P


How would you ever learn if you never owned one?

Best way to learn is the break and fix technique.

[Amobe]

Fix? What's fix??

:p

[Zenith]

How would you ever learn if you never owned one?

Best way to learn is the break and fix technique.I'd never owned a PC before my first one, and I built it myself. I was supervised by my mate, but it was otherwise all my own work. He was there to make sure I didn't do anything that might fry anything.