Advice on replacement desktop plz

Deedee73

Hello everyone, in the next few days I'll be able to go into Pc World and take advantage of thier "If we cant fix it in 6 weeks, you can get a new pc to the equivalent spec" policy on the coverplan/pc performance I had.

Now I have a task for anyone who wants to help me pick something.

This was the spec on the one they couldn't fix

CPUIntel Pentium 4 560 (3.6 GHz)MotherboardTriGem PTGD1-LAMemory1024 MB DDR RAM - (2x 512 MB - PC3200)Hard Drive250GB Western Digital WD2500JD
250GB Western Digital WD2500JDCD DriveLite-On SOHD-167T DVD driveMC ReaderIntegrated 7 in 1 card readerVideo CardATi X600 XT 256MB PCI-Express x16TV CardAverMedia TV-tunerSound CardRealtek High Definition Audio (Azalia)SpeakersAdvent SP-120NModemC-Com 5619PSV-RNetwork CardRealtek 8139 / 810x (Onboard)
MSI wireless LAN adapterCaseJupiterKeyboardAdvent wireless keyboard (8190URF)MouseAdvent wireless mouse (8190URF)

What sort of machine should I look to be replacing it with?
I dont mind paying a bit extra than the credit note I will have. (I dont know how much I'll be getting rough guestimate £750.


Your help would be really appreciated!

Dee

Deedee73

bump .

GoofyGAT

You probably haven't received a reply yet due to the fact that it's PCW & you didn't mention the kind of spec you're looking for, &/or what you're hoping to be doing on the new PC.....

E.g. do you need a base unit or a complete one with monitor, keyboard, speakers, etc? Are you going to be playing the latest games / doing video-editing / watching TV - or all them? G

P.S. One of the problems with PCW is this - they call a PC with a 8500GT graphics card a 'Gaming PC': an example (found in their 'PCs for Gaming' section btw). I also find their systems overpriced or underpowered (depending on how one sees it) compared to other sites.

Deedee73

TY Goofy, the reason I posted on here was I know that someone might be able to make sure I dont get ripped off by them.

I do everything on the PC, Gaming, work, downloading, tv watching, dowloading, everything.

I am just worried that PC world are gonna try and palm me off with a "Tower" that aint a fantastic spec. The replacement should just be a tower, in the words of the policy, "We will replace to equivilant spec or higher."

Now as you can tell from the spec of the original (3 yrs ago) I need to know what people would class as "Equivalent spec" or "higher"

I dont want to get ripped off.

hendersonb

What was the problem with the original machine? You'll probably find you'll get ripped off anyway taking a machine to PCW - they have as much knowledge about computers as I have about nuclear physics (thats not a lot by the way).

Deedee73

ahh, long story hendersonb, basically, hard drive went in May, then secondary hard drive as soon as I had it back, then 6weeks ago, power went, when they fixed that, the motherboard went before I had it back, they have been awaiting parts for 4 weeks of the 6 week period they have had it. I'm just glad I manged to get a 5 yr cover on it when I purchased, I didn't pay a penny for the cover!

GoofyGAT

99% their desktop systems (except 'Clearance' ones) seem to come with a monitor as standard. Are you allowed to get one of these if it's within your credit note amount or willing to pay extra (if required)? If no, you're stuck unless they're willing to knock the monitor off with a relevant discount to go with it.

Either way, have a look at all their systems about the £700-900 mark & post their links here. We'll have a look & tell you which one is the best for the money & your needs. Remember, if you don't need the monitor (i.e. if they're not willing to take it off) you can always sell it or keep it as a standby. Most(?) systems won't come with a TV tuner, but that's OK too - you can always sell the monitor & buy one with the money if required. G

Alfie_E

You could get away with the slightly cheaper product code 355383, which would at least match your old machine in all respects. If you’re going get a credit note that covers GoofyGAT’s suggestion, I’ll second that suggestion. PC World might not offer the best value for money, but that computer will sufficiently better than what you had that I’m sure you’ll be very happy with it.

GoofyGAT

Alfie_E wrote: »

You could get away with the slightly cheaper product code 355383, which would at least match your old machine in all respects...

If Deedee goes for this she'll be losing out on £250 worth of PC (if his/her guestimate of £750 is correct).

Also, the graphics will be useless for most games (except older & less graphically intensive ones), there's no TV tuner & 1Gb with Vista Premium may struggle. G

Alfie_E

GoofyGAT wrote: »

…there's no TV tuner…

To be fair, your suggestion doesn’t have one either.

GoofyGAT wrote: »

If Deedee goes for this she'll be losing out on £250 worth of PC (if his/her guestimate of £750 is correct)

As we’ve said, it really depends on what Deedee eventually gets offered. I’m surprised at PC World offering a credit note. Usually, in situations like this, the company offers a specific replacement product.

If we look at those that come packaged with a TV tuner, maybe Deedee should insist she is given a Philips MT6000 or a Sony XL301. The Sony’s in a non-standard case, so that may be an issue. The even cheaper Advent T9409 with TV tuner has a graphics card that would be a backwards step, so can be discounted. I guess that’s the sort of advice Deedee is looking for. It also depends on what sort of games are to be played. There’s a big difference in the demands made on the hardware between, say, a game like BioShock and and one like Tomb Raider Anniversary.