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Best place to buy a base unit for a desktop?

back_on_track
back_on_track Posts: 80 Forumite
edited 4 May 2009 am31 10:46AM in Techie Stuff
can anyone advise where I can get the main base unit as cheap as posss. Its just for a home computer used for internet and gaming and i dont really understand the whole details, and specs!. I have about £150- £170, is that even possible to get one at this price?

I have a monitor and keyboard already. The make of monitor is Sharp, so is there a specific processor I would need, or will any make/model do?

(can u tell im not a computer wizz lol)

Any help/advice be fantastic
Thanks

Comments

  • hotkee
    hotkee Posts: 505 Forumite
    ebay is ur best option for that price - second hand desktop (might get lucky and get a monitor with it) - Got a sharp monitor myself (nice thing).

    But if you want anything that will last - you will have to save up so more, roughly in the region of £300 to get a basic to good desktop.

    Place like microdirect (google it) has some decent desktops.

    If you go to Dell - you can get a pc from around £279 - and possibly cheaper if you go through dell outlet.
  • £$&*"($£&(
    £$&*"($£&( Posts: 4,538 Forumite
    Its just for a home computer used for internet and gaming and i dont really understand the whole details, and specs!. I have about £150- £170, is that even possible to get one at this price?

    I have a monitor and keyboard already. The make of monitor is Sharp, so is there a specific processor I would need, or will any make/model do?

    You can get base units for that price but they will be basic and as you mention gaming this could be the main problem. Depends what sort of gaming your planning on doing - this might need a proper graphics card and faster processor and more RAM than you'll get at the cheap end. Any make will work with the monitor.
  • BillTrac
    BillTrac Posts: 1,869 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    You could look at the Novatech site. I seem to recall them doing barebone units from £120 and up
  • DatabaseError
    DatabaseError Posts: 4,161 Forumite
    Gaming PC for £150?? I suppose if the games you want to play are minesweeper and solitaire then you should manage ok :)

    Only suggestion (if you want to play other games) is 2nd hand...maybe ebay...cheap dual core (not celeron!) PC and look for a 2nd hand GPU....the 8800GT cards are still very capable..and quite cheap nowadays (or they were at xmas when I built 2 machines around them) :)
    ...maybe look to overclock the CPU to get the most out if it...
    Utinam logica falsa tuam philosophiam totam suffodiant.
  • chunter
    chunter Posts: 2,008 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    If you're buying from Ebay, make sure you get a pc with a COA. It'll save you a lot of hassle later.
    Vista I'd guess is out, but hey, there's bound to be a bargain in there somewhere.

    If you're unsure, don't put the ebay code up here. You might get the odd character who may think it's a bargain too.
  • mrian_2
    mrian_2 Posts: 72 Forumite
    What about pcworld or currys refurbished desktops without monitor. They start about £150 and for £170 you can get a dual core. I have never bought one but if I needed one I would consider it. At least you get the warranty unlike ebay.
  • spud17
    spud17 Posts: 4,424 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Or try this page, others on here have used them,

    http://www.bigpockets.co.uk/cat.php?search=PCs&nav=227
    Move along, nothing to see.
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