New PC needed

[Eggman]

Yeah so now is the time to replace my dying PC with a brand new system.

I want this new one to last a few years so dont mind spending extra to get the latest processor, with plenty of RAM and Hard drive space.

Been looking at sites such as Eclipse Computers and Overclockers UK to build my own.

Anybody know of any other decent sites that hey have used for your new systems. Any tips on what to look out for.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Jahooli]

My mate recommends this place.

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/

I can't help you much though...I bought the stuff, he built the computer.

Might be worth a look.

 

[clippedgull]

other notable component sites are

Scan Computers UK: Computer Hardware - All
and Cheap Laptops, Hard Drives, LCD Monitors, TVs and more at Ebuyer

 

[bhaexpress]

There's quite a few different places but you'll find it's cheaper (and simpler) to buy a built PC. Dell would be a good start. Be careful though. most new PCs come with Vista and you'll need to check what of your current hard and software will work with it.

I recently built a new PC to run Vista 64 and frankly the only parts I was able to migrate were the keyboard, mouse and Wi Fi card ! Most of the components were sourced from Ebay but this needs some care. PM me if you think I can help.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Can I recommend Apple.

 

[Marshy]

Is it really worth building your own these days ?
I dont think so. But hey if you enjoy it and stuff go for it.

 

[Badger]

I tend to use eBuyer or Microdirect, had very few problems with them over the years and both have pretty good customer service if things go wrong.

 

[SNOOBS]

Unless you are gaming you won't need top of the range or custom really

 

[jcdenton08]

Can I strongly recommend this; I got a desktop replacement 'gaming' laptop from ebay, - came from the states but worked out fantastic value;

GATEWAY P-6860FX
Intel C2D - Intel Core 2 Duo T5550 @1.86GHz 800MHz FSB (easily upgradeable)
17.1" WXGA+ Display (1440x900)
4096MB DDR2 Sodimm @667MHz
320GB SATA Hard Drive @5400RPM
16x DVD+/-RW Drive

Most importantly;

NVIDIA® GeForce® 8800M GTS Graphics (512MB Dedicated Memory) (VERY high end)

You're getting a mid-high end GAMING desktop machine, for around £6-700 delivered in a laptop box. Can run Crysis at 55-60 FPS for hours with no lag - high settings on everything.

Advice, upgrade the processor and you have a machine worth 3-5 years of future-proofiness.

The problem? Have to buy from the States, and no 'official' vendor will ship to the UK, hence E-bay is a necessity, that's where I got mine and it's a winner! I can put you on to the guy who sold me mine, he undervalues the 'goods' cost too, which is good for you!

 

[jcdenton08]

Also, just to give an idea, PC World/Dixons/All the same company really are selling a Hewlett Packard machine with identical spec (plus a blu-ray drive which you'd never use) for £1,499,99..

 

[TWOCHOICEStom]

Can I recommend Apple.

 

[jcdenton08]

But don't all Apple products.. Macs, iPods.. look like childrens toys? and aren't all macs trying to be PCs anyway?

 

[Kaiser_Soze]

You can recommend Apple all you like but not for hardcore gaming

 

[Marc]

My mate recommends this place.

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/

I can't help you much though...I bought the stuff, he built the computer.

Might be worth a look.

thats where I get abit of my stuff from, recently bought a 28" widescreen monitor from them for £275 and its WELL smart!

 

[jcdenton08]

You can recommend Apple all you like but not for hardcore gaming

A friend of mine was interviewed by Spacey for a job at the Old Vic!!
Have you ever noticed in the interrogation that Verbal says
"I did it, I killed Keaton" whilst Kujan is yelling at him?

 

[clippedgull]

Can I strongly recommend this; I got a desktop replacement 'gaming' laptop from ebay, - came from the states but worked out fantastic value;

GATEWAY P-6860FX
Intel C2D - Intel Core 2 Duo T5550 @1.86GHz 800MHz FSB (easily upgradeable)
17.1" WXGA+ Display (1440x900)
4096MB DDR2 Sodimm @667MHz
320GB SATA Hard Drive @5400RPM
16x DVD+/-RW Drive

Most importantly;

NVIDIA® GeForce® 8800M GTS Graphics (512MB Dedicated Memory) (VERY high end)

You're getting a mid-high end GAMING desktop machine, for around £6-700 delivered in a laptop box. Can run Crysis at 55-60 FPS for hours with no lag - high settings on everything.

Advice, upgrade the processor and you have a machine worth 3-5 years of future-proofiness.

The problem? Have to buy from the States, and no 'official' vendor will ship to the UK, hence E-bay is a necessity, that's where I got mine and it's a winner! I can put you on to the guy who sold me mine, he undervalues the 'goods' cost too, which is good for you!

How can you upgrade the processor in a mid range laptop?

 

[jcdenton08]

Very, very easily with this particular model. Remove 8 screws, whip out the heatsink paste, clean with bottle of air, replace heatsink, screw in new processor and voila - a 10 minute job! I upgrade mine to C2D 2.55ghz but there's room for a quadcore... the reason I didn't go for a quadcore is simply heat. Even with a Zalman NC2000 cooler and cool ambient temps, a quadcore on this machine would idle at 60c...

See this thread in it's full 23 page glory - including photographic walkthrough;

Gateway P-6860/6831 CPU Upgrade - Notebook Forums and Laptop Discussion

Worked a treat!!!

 

[clippedgull]

Very, very easily with this particular model. Remove 8 screws, whip out the heatsink paste, clean with bottle of air, replace heatsink, screw in new processor and voila - a 10 minute job! I upgrade mine to C2D 2.55ghz but there's room for a quadcore... the reason I didn't go for a quadcore is simply heat. Even with a Zalman NC2000 cooler and cool ambient temps, a quadcore on this machine would idle at 60c...

See this thread in it's full 23 page glory - including photographic walkthrough;

Gateway P-6860/6831 CPU Upgrade - Notebook Forums and Laptop Discussion

Worked a treat!!!

Blimey! Not for the faint hearted though!!

 

[adrian29uk]

There's quite a few different places but you'll find it's cheaper (and simpler) to buy a built PC. Dell would be a good start. Be careful though. most new PCs come with Vista and you'll need to check what of your current hard and software will work with it.

I recently built a new PC to run Vista 64 and frankly the only parts I was able to migrate were the keyboard, mouse and Wi Fi card ! Most of the components were sourced from Ebay but this needs some care. PM me if you think I can help.

I can vouch for you on this one. All the time you will spend messing around building the darn thing, you can buy a complete PC for cheaper.

6 years ago you could build your own cheaper.

 

[jcdenton08]

Blimey! Not for the faint hearted though!!

Pay a shop to do it for you.. shouldn't be more than £20, £30 quid for a few minutes work!