New PC advice please

GT60 · 7 February 2011 at 3:57PM

HI

WE are a family of 6 4 children ages 16 - 4 years the pc will be for school work and playing online games such as; downloads from here [URL="mhtml:{803C4390-46FE-4819-B62C-971C0D31A7AD}mid://00000049/!x-usc:http://www.microsoft.com/games/pc/default.aspx?sort=trail-version"]http://www.microsoft.com/games/pc/default.aspx?sort=trail-version[/URL] and
mechquest.com ,runescape.com, fallingsands .com and some discs games.
Also when doing a scan like norton etc not have the scan slowing the pc down so we can still have some web pages open.
also we will be doing some photo editing, and m/soft works for school and college work plus what ever the future bring for the children.
Our current pc is a 2000 model which was very very slow and kept freezing and has now died.
Our Laptop is a Dell and the spec is AMD Turion 64 X2 TL- 52 1.60 GHz Ram 2.00GB Vista 32- bit home prem. with our xp pro office.
We have looked at this for a new desktop as it looks fast,wont take ages to loadup and start and will last a good few years (fingers crossed)
advice please.
It would cost £700

Included in your system:PROCESSORAMD® Phenom™ II X4 830 (2.8GHz, 6MB Cache)[URL="mhtml:{803C4390-46FE-4819-B62C-971C0D31A7AD}mid://00000049/!x-usc:javascript:to_page_mod(1, 1, _Action);"]edit[/URL]
OPERATING SYSTEMGenuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64bit- English[URL="mhtml:{803C4390-46FE-4819-B62C-971C0D31A7AD}mid://00000049/!x-usc:javascript:to_page_mod(1, 11, _Action);"]edit[/URL]
SYSTEM RECOVERYOS Windows® Recovery Media Not included[URL="mhtml:{803C4390-46FE-4819-B62C-971C0D31A7AD}mid://00000049/!x-usc:javascript:to_page_mod(1, 200013, _Action);"]edit[/URL]
OFFICE SOFTWARENo productivity Software selected[URL="mhtml:{803C4390-46FE-4819-B62C-971C0D31A7AD}mid://00000049/!x-usc:javascript:to_page_mod(1, 1002, _Action);"]edit[/URL]

Dell RecommendsSuccess starts at home with the essential programs families need to complete school and household projects. Upgrade now.

[URL="mhtml:{803C4390-46FE-4819-B62C-971C0D31A7AD}mid://00000049/!x-usc:javascript:upsell_sc('m_1002', '420998');"]

[/URL][URL="mhtml:{803C4390-46FE-4819-B62C-971C0D31A7AD}mid://00000049/!x-usc:javascript:upsell_sc('m_1002', '420998');"]Upgrade to English Microsoft® Office Home and Student 2010 ( Word, Excel, Powerpoint, One Note) [add £69.00 or £4/month1][/URL]
MONITORDisplay Not Included[URL="mhtml:{803C4390-46FE-4819-B62C-971C0D31A7AD}mid://00000049/!x-usc:javascript:to_page_mod(1, 5, _Action);"]edit[/URL]
SERVICES AND SUPPORT3Yr In-Home Hardware Support[URL="mhtml:{803C4390-46FE-4819-B62C-971C0D31A7AD}mid://00000049/!x-usc:javascript:to_page_mod(1, 30, _Action);"]edit[/URL]
DATASAFE ONLINE BACKUPDataSafe Online Backup 2GB - 1 year licence[URL="mhtml:{803C4390-46FE-4819-B62C-971C0D31A7AD}mid://00000049/!x-usc:javascript:to_page_mod(1, 467, _Action);"]edit[/URL]
PROTECT YOUR NEW PCMcAfee® Security Centre - 15 Month Protection - English[URL="mhtml:{803C4390-46FE-4819-B62C-971C0D31A7AD}mid://00000049/!x-usc:javascript:to_page_mod(1, 1014, _Action);"]edit[/URL]
OPTICAL DRIVEDVD +/- RW Drive (read/write CD & DVD) with Roxio Easy CD and DVD Burn software[URL="mhtml:{803C4390-46FE-4819-B62C-971C0D31A7AD}mid://00000049/!x-usc:javascript:to_page_mod(1, 16, _Action);"]edit[/URL]
MEMORY4096MB 1333 MHz Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM [2x2048][URL="mhtml:{803C4390-46FE-4819-B62C-971C0D31A7AD}mid://00000049/!x-usc:javascript:to_page_mod(1, 3, _Action);"]edi[/URL]
tHARD DRIVE500GB (7200rpm) Serial ATA Hard Drive[URL="mhtml:{803C4390-46FE-4819-B62C-971C0D31A7AD}mid://00000049/!x-usc:javascript:to_page_mod(1, 8, _Action);"]edit[/URL]
GRAPHICS CARD1GB ATI® Radeon™ HD 5450 graphics card with Vision Premium label[URL="mhtml:{803C4390-46FE-4819-B62C-971C0D31A7AD}mid://00000049/!x-usc:javascript:to_page_mod(1, 6, _Action);"]edit[/URL]
KEYBOARDDell™ USB Entry Keyboard - UK/Irish (QWERTY)[URL="mhtml:{803C4390-46FE-4819-B62C-971C0D31A7AD}mid://00000049/!x-usc:javascript:to_page_mod(1, 4, _Action);"]edit[/URL]
MOUSEDell Laser Mouse USB (6 buttons scroll) Black[URL="mhtml:{803C4390-46FE-4819-B62C-971C0D31A7AD}mid://00000049/!x-usc:javascript:to_page_mod(1, 12, _Action);"]edit[/URL]
WIRELESS SOLUTIONDell 1525 Wireless PCIe Network Card 802.11n[URL="mhtml:{803C4390-46FE-4819-B62C-971C0D31A7AD}mid://00000049/!x-usc:javascript:to_page_mod(1, 19, _Action);"]edit[/URL]
SOUND SOFTWAREIntegrated HDA 7.1 Dolby Digital Audio[URL="mhtml:{803C4390-46FE-4819-B62C-971C0D31A7AD}mid://00000049/!x-usc:javascript:to_page_mod(1, 17, _Action);"]edit[/URL]
Also included with your systemSpeakersNo Speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system)Dell System Media KitStudio XPS 7100 Resource DVD (Diagnostics and Drivers)Shipping DocumentsEnglish Documentation with UK/IRL Power CordGedis Bundle ReferenceD02SX702Floppy Drives and Additional Storage Devices19 in 1 Media Card ReaderOrder InformationStudio XPS 7100 DT Order - UK

Thank you for your time

gonzo127 · 7 February 2011 at 4:09PM

hmmm i have to admit that seems a little expensive to me

couple of things on there i would be curious about, the online back up 2gb isnt really that much so i would not pay for this, if its free then fine

McAfee is horrible - do not pay for this, free Anti Virus's are better

since you children are students check out software4students microsoft office 2010 is about £40

graphics card is not very powerful

GT60 · 7 February 2011 at 4:16PM

hi i wont be using mcafee or the online back up which is free as for the graphics card i dont understand.
Thanks for the software for students tip
do suppose you or anyone else would want to redesign the spec for me :0
www.dell.co.uk
thanks

JasX · 7 February 2011 at 4:19PM

From the useage you describe, basic 'homework and undemanding games' you only need a basic desktop.

Look to spend £300-£400 tops and buy online/somewhere sensible and you'll get something good value that'll more than meet your needs, you could get towards the lower end of the scale if you can re-use much from your existing PC (monitor? peripherals? etc) and limit yourself to the tower unit only.

For basic needs like yours save the other £300 and perhaps buy another new one in 4-5 years time rather than spend £700 now wait another 10 years for the next one. You'll not only end up with a MUCH better machine for £300 in 4 years than £700 now will get you but you'll then have two machines so hopefully less arguments between the 4 kiddies over whose turn on the PC it is

gonzo127 · 7 February 2011 at 4:25PM

for speccing up a system i always find this is quite a good starting point http://www.dinopc.com/shop/pc/configurePrd.asp?idproduct=1010 - however please note i have never actually used this company so do not know what the customer service is like, however from the few reviews there are about them the main problem people seem to have is an 'optimistic' delivery date

JasX · 7 February 2011 at 4:26PM

GT60 wrote: »

do suppose you or anyone else would want to redesign the spec for me :0
www.dell.co.uk
thanks

Tried Dell outlet? (google it) -much less risky buying a refurb desktop than laptop as in the unlikely event something is wrong with it it'll be much easier (cheaper) to repair.

Currently they have one of their 'higher end' basic Inspirion models for £360 (ex VAT and Delivery)

Inspiron 580

Inspiron Desktop 580 MT
Processor : Intel Core i5 Processor 760(2.80GHz,8MB)
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64 BIT)
1.5TB Serial ATA (7200RPM)
Memory : 8192MB (4x2048) DDR3 Dual Channel
16X DVD+/-RW Drive

or a 560 for £245

Inspiron 560 MT Base
Intel Pentium Dual Core E5700(3.00GHz)
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64 BIT)
1TB SATA Hard Drive 7200 RPM
Memory 4096MB (4x1024) 800MHz Dual Channel ECC
16X DVD +/- RW

GT60 · 7 February 2011 at 4:26PM

All i understand is the pc needs a big Ram and a fast processor the first pc above has a £135 warranty in the price

Ok how about this it is £550 including £100 extended warranty

COLOUR CHOICEPiano Black colouredit
PROCESSORAMD® Athlon™ II X4 635 (2.9GHz, 2MB Cache)edi
tOPERATING SYSTEMGenuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64bit - Englishedit
SYSTEM RECOVERYOS Windows® Recovery Media Not includededit
OFFICE SOFTWARENo productivity Software selectededit
SERVICES AND SUPPORT3Yr In-Home Hardware Supportedit
PROTECT YOUR NEW PCMcAfee® SecurityCenter 15 Month Subscriptionedi
tDATASAFE ONLINE BACKUPDataSafe Online Backup 2GB - 1 year licenceedit
MONITORDisplay Not Includededit
HARD DRIVE1TB (7200rpm) SATA Hard Driveedit
KEYBOARDDell™ USB Entry Keyboard - UK/Irish (QWERTY)edi
tMOUSEDell MS111 USB Optical Mouse (Indigo)edit
Also included with your systemACCIDENTAL DAMAGE PROTECTIONNo Accidental Damage Suppor
MEMORY6144MB Dual Channel DDR3 [2x2048 + 2x1024]
MemoryOPTICAL DRIVEDVD +/- RW Drive (read/write CD & DVD) with DVD Burn software
GRAPHICS CARDNVIDIA ® GeForce G310 512MB graphics card
SOUND SOFTWAREIntegrated 7.1 channel audio
FLOPPY/MEDIA DRIVES19-in-1 Media Card reader
MODEMSNo ModemDell System Media KitInspiron Desktop 570 Resource DVD (Diagnostic & Drivers)Shipping DocumentsEnglish DocumentationGedis Bundle ReferenceD025708Order InformationInspiron Desktop 570 Minitower Order - UKSpeakersNo Speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system)Standard Warranty1 year Collect & Return Hardware Support included with your PCCable2 Meter Power Cord - UK

Thanks again

spakkker · 7 February 2011 at 4:30PM

The cheapest towers today would do for you - £700 is far too much.
A Celeron T3500 laptop cpu or celeron E3400 pc cpu is twice as powerful as your current laptop cpu and they are budget cpu's.
PC's usually slow 'cos of too much rubbish/junk/unnecessary software.
This one needs windows loading ,which you most likely will have to buy,£176 http://www.ebuyer.com/product/253549
The quoted pc has better cpu ,which I doubt you would use , and a £30 graphics card -not a vast lot better than onboard graphics and no good for gaming.
You should read a bit about pc specs but not from advertisements like all that cobblers the above seller is saying.
I'd suggest buying 2 pc's even if one is a £50 ebay tower.

edit ,must type faster! I don't see why you want a quad core cpu ? Do you have a reason ?

GT60 · 7 February 2011 at 4:40PM

JasX wrote: »

Tried Dell outlet? (google it) -much less risky buying a refurb desktop than laptop as in the unlikely event something is wrong with it it'll be much easier (cheaper) to repair.

Currently they have one of their 'higher end' basic Inspirion models for £460 inc vat)

Inspiron 580
Inspiron Desktop 580 MT

Processor : Intel Core i5 Processor 760(2.80GHz,8MB)

Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64 BIT)

1.5TB Serial ATA (7200RPM)

Memory : 8192MB (4x2048) DDR3 Dual Channel

16X DVD+/-RW Drive

or a 560 for £345 inc

Inspiron 560 MT Base

Intel Pentium Dual Core E5700(3.00GHz)

Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64 BIT)

1TB SATA Hard Drive 7200 RPM

Memory 4096MB (4x1024) 800MHz Dual Channel ECC

16X DVD +/- RW

So are they good and do i click buy?

Thanks

GT60 · 7 February 2011 at 4:42PM

I don't see why you want a quad core cpu ? Do you have a reason ?
No i dont even know what it is or does i just know i want it to be faster than what we have.

BackOnTrack · 7 February 2011 at 4:50PM

If your willing to spend 700 quid on a system then something like this would be a good choice. You can go cheaper but remember you get what you pay for. http://www.aria.co.uk/Systems/Gaming+Range/Gladiator/Anarchy+GTX+P67+Gaming+PC+?productId=43228

New PC advice please

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