New desktop computer for around £300-£400

epz_2

that spec is MASSIVE overkill for web surfing,are you sure your current rig doesnt just need more ram or an os wipe.

DatabaseError

^...but it fits into the OPs budget (that price including the OS?) and should see them good for a few years. Start cutting corners and you find yourself saving £50 and having a naff machine (I know, i supplied each of my twins a similar machine for this xmas, but I included a geforce 8800GT GPU in each)

jaydeeuk1

epz wrote: »

that spec is MASSIVE overkill for web surfing,are you sure your current rig doesnt just need more ram or an os wipe.

I admit, the spec is quite high but its about value for money n'est-ce pas? Not sure how it can be 'MASSIVE' overkill, esp if he has to have Vista :rolleyes:. If I can get an E5200 for £7 more than a dual celeron, its worth it. Similarly, £40 for a 500gb HD is only a couple pounds more than a 250gb, or 2gb ram for £8 more than £1gb....

DatabaseError

^ you seem to have missed case and PSU from your list

jaydeeuk1

DatabaseError wrote: »

^ you seem to have missed case and PSU from your list

they're included, just couldn't be bothered to list

I can't believe how much the price of vista OEM has increased over the last 12 months. Used to be able to get premium for £50 now its the wrong side of £70!

DatabaseError

£ vs $ its been discussed elsewhere, the retailers buy in bulk, a few thousand licenses might last a few months, now new stock required
same goes for hardware prices, q6600 was 99+vat a few months ago

ih8stress

Thanks for the replies. I'm back at my local library now.

Jaydee: Thanks for the list, I appreciate it. It will help me when looking round.
Epz: I'm after replacing everything, my computer is really old and not worth reusing anything.
Database: Is the geforce 8800GT GPU a graphics card? I only play very occasional games so don't need a high spec one but would still need one suitable for the odd game.

I've had a quick look at PC World and they seem to mention SATA Hard Drives - is this a type or make?
They also mention dual layer dvd writers. Can you use ordinary dvds and cds with these? My current computer doesn't have a writer (told you it was old!) so this is a whole new territory for me.

I would be looking to store and edit photos etc and then save them onto disk, which I am unable to do at the moment.

Thank you for all your input so far.

DatabaseError

the 8800gt is a graphics card, towards the top end of the mid range, if you know what I mean?!

sanora

Any further thoughts on this? Would Dell be best site to buy from?

Marty_J

sanora wrote: »

Any further thoughts on this? Would Dell be best site to buy from?

Get a Mac.