i7 complete desktop machine for £400 - what's wrong with it!

Kate.W_3

I'm still looking for a new desktop. Have seen this on eBay (built new):

.ebay.co.uk/itm/Intel-i7-3770-Quad-Core-3-4Ghz-8GB-1TB-HD4000-Gaming-PC-Desktop-Computer-/200987180944?pt=UK_Computing_DesktopPCs&hash=item2ecbc4ff90

Main specs are

Intel i7 3770 Quad Core 3.4Ghz Processor
8GB DDR3 1333Mhz RAM
Intel HD 4000 Graphics
1TB SATA Hard Drive
DVD-RW Dual Layer Optical Disc Drive

I don't need an OS or monitor/keyboard/mouse etc.

I know the graphics isn't great but I'm not really going to be doing any gaming (although it is being sold as a gaming machine).

This just seems very cheap to me. What's wrong with it?

emptybox

I don't think it's especially cheap.
The i7 is the previous generation, and no operating system knocks the price down a fair bit.

My nephew bought a system from the same seller, and is pleased with it, so you should be OK.

Here's the link BTW.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Intel-i7-3770-Quad-Core-3-4Ghz-8GB-1TB-HD4000-Gaming-PC-Desktop-Computer-/200987180944?pt=UK_Computing_DesktopPCs&hash=item2%20ecbc4ff90

Kate.W_3

Thanks for the fast reply! I'm not sure I understand the different generations stuff though. I thought the previous generation would be i5?

Most i7 machines I've seen start from £600 though.

james123

Hi,


the previous generation relates to the first number of the model so its an i7 3770 this is the third generation on i7's. the newest start 4***. I am running a second generation i7 2600 and its a great processor still.

Kate.W_3

Ahh thanks James. Is there much performance difference.

Would a current generation i5 machine be better than a last generation i7?

james123

Intel Core i7-3770 @ 3.40GHz 9,407


Intel Core i5-4670K @ 3.40GHz 7,806


These are the scores on cpubenchmark, the i5 shown is the best one I can see, although I may have missed another, the scores suggest the i7 would be the greater processor.

emptybox

Kate.W wrote: »

Thanks for the fast reply! I'm not sure I understand the different generations stuff though. I thought the previous generation would be i5?

Most i7 machines I've seen start from £600 though.

Most i7s are likely to have 16GB RAM, 2TB HDD and a powerful discrete graphics card.

The fourth generation Intel Core CPUs are more energy efficient than their predecessors, but not necessarily more powerful.

An i5 would be fine for you, I would think, but the machine you pointed to would be fine as well.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

Kate.W wrote: »

I'm still looking for a new desktop. Have seen this on eBay (built new):

.ebay.co.uk/itm/Intel-i7-3770-Quad-Core-3-4Ghz-8GB-1TB-HD4000-Gaming-PC-Desktop-Computer-/200987180944?pt=UK_Computing_DesktopPCs&hash=item2ecbc4ff90

Main specs are

Intel i7 3770 Quad Core 3.4Ghz Processor
8GB DDR3 1333Mhz RAM
Intel HD 4000 Graphics
1TB SATA Hard Drive
DVD-RW Dual Layer Optical Disc Drive

I don't need an OS or monitor/keyboard/mouse etc.

I know the graphics isn't great but I'm not really going to be doing any gaming (although it is being sold as a gaming machine).

This just seems very cheap to me. What's wrong with it?

what do you need in a system?


anyone else using the PC a casual gamer single or multiplayer or no preference?


lots of multitasks or just a casual media and internet browser type person?


looks of a system internally and size of tower any preference?


work space size limited?


could you give building a system a go, its not that hard, would you give it a go if you had instruction? like a online video guide.


any system advertised as a gaming machine that don't have a separate branded decent graphics card is not a gaming machine just billed as one to bump price.


aggh I see you have another thread, I replied to that but there was no update. perhaps mod could merge? https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/65127065#Comment_65127065


The way I see it an I7 would be overkill for you, you would not utilize the full potential of it and to me would not make sense to pay the higher premium just have it as a spec.


you used to play games, probably because your system now fell below min spec or you just lost interest.


I would go with an 4th gen i5 machine and build it myself to save out on costs.

Kate.W_3

Apologies Atrix, I thought I had replied to everyone in the last thread. I started this one new as it was about a specific machine (and I thought other forum users may be interested if it was a good deal).

I lost interest in gaming really, plus our family grew and now I don't have time even if I wanted to. I'm not sure I want to rule it out though.

I do a lot of image processing though. I'm a designer so frequently will be running all Adobe Creative Suite programmes at once, plus processing multiple HDR images at once. I do a bit of hobbiest video editing too. A lot of reviews I've read for home PCs mention suitability for Internet of Microsoft Office but I am more demanding on my machine than just that.

I've built before and it was a horrible experience. I wouldn't discount doing it again but the thought brings me out in a cold sweat.

Kate.W_3

Oh and external look not an issue and neither is space.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

Kate.W wrote: »

Apologies Atrix, I thought I had replied to everyone in the last thread. I started this one new as it was about a specific machine (and I thought other forum users may be interested if it was a good deal).

I lost interest in gaming really, plus our family grew and now I don't have time even if I wanted to. I'm not sure I want to rule it out though.

I do a lot of image processing though. I'm a designer so frequently will be running all Adobe Creative Suite programmes at once, plus processing multiple HDR images at once. I do a bit of hobbiest video editing too. A lot of reviews I've read for home PCs mention suitability for Internet of Microsoft Office but I am more demanding on my machine than just that.

I've built before and it was a horrible experience. I wouldn't discount doing it again but the thought brings me out in a cold sweat.

so suitably then, you could do with a graphics card that has cuda and PhysX enabled with large onboard memory.like a asus GT630 4GB edition.
you would also need large DDR3 memory, not essentially the fastest but above 8gb like kingston hyperx fury blue dual channel 2 8GB packs.
core i5 (i7 is just overkill for you) quadcore like a i5 4670 3.4ghz. and a haswell approved mobo, like a z87 chipset asrock extreme3 atx form factor.
to power them a like a EVGA 500w 80plus power supply.
by a cheap atx case like an aerocool vs-9 advance or recycle your one.
I reckon the above would come out over budget with delivery but it will do what you want it to do and more.