Building my pc

BillScarab

Got to agree with the Gypsy, don't buy PC parts at Maplin. Much cheaper online.

scheming_gypsy

i think even PC World are cheaper as well.

Gordon861

I use http://www.dabs.com/ for most of my online purchases and 3% cashback via quidco.

almillar

I second the https://www.tomsharware.com recommendation. There are a few different platforms to choose from (AMD/Intel with a few different memory specs and different chipsets) which will lead you down seperate paths. Buy a decent, upgradable motherboard (ie can take more RAM and a faster CPU than you buy now, as well as a good expansion slot for the graphics card) and you can just add those bits later. Then the painful bit is moving to a new platform (mobo, cpu, ram) all at the same time ££££!
Pick a few parts and get back to us!

[Deleted User]

If you're not wanting to build a bleeding edge machine then with the price of DDR2 RAM and Dual Core Processors, you'll be able to build a speedy machine for a reasonable amount.

Of course, depending what uses you have for it will have an impact on the price you pay, but please, don't skimp at all on the PSU, allocate £50-£70 alone for that. It's one component that will damage the majority of your components if it fails.

DatabaseError

much as upgradability is often touted as important...in reality adding ram is a possibility (maybe 8 gig one day?)\ and changing to a better GPU, though by the time I want to upgrade a PC I usually have to start again, as new busses/sockets will have arrived. An obvious, current, example is the socket 775 core2 duo/quads are being superceded by the i7, with different socket and memory configurations. It may take a few years, but todays PC will soon be obsolete and not worth upgrading

piggeh

Yeah that's my experience as well, you can upgrade but normally the performance boost you can get from making the small upgrades are generally not what people are after. You will experience a bottleneck somewhere if you upgrade one part but not others in line with it.

It is good fun though, I prefer building my own PC as I know what every component is and can match to my requirements and budget.

http://www.hexus.net forum is pretty good for advice
http://www.ebuyer.com are generally the cheapest on prices in my experience, although I quite like http://www.scan.co.uk as well.

vigesimal

Thanks everyone. You have been very helpful.

sheana_2

hi have just been ripped off by maplin store.bought a memory card for camera for £49.99. i later discovered that comet were selling the same card for £22.99.customer services were totally disinterested and refused to let me return item.could you please warn others.i am new to this and not sure how to do this.

gaming_guy

sheana wrote: »

hi have just been ripped off by maplin store.bought a memory card for camera for £49.99. i later discovered that comet were selling the same card for £22.99.customer services were totally disinterested and refused to let me return item.could you please warn others.i am new to this and not sure how to do this.

its your fault for not shopping around before you bought it