PC speccing for a numpty

[HiRich]

I've been asked by a friend to spec up a new PC, and having been spoilt for so long by choosing Apple (where decisons are as simple as good, better, best), I need some help, please.

He:
- Needs a Windows machine, not Mac
- Wantrs a desktop machine
- Readily admits he's a numpty
- Main use is medium-level games (he loves his flightsim) and digital snapshots
- Barely uses the internet (but I want to keep ADSL options open in the future)
- Is interested in VOIP for calls to the US
- Wants a machine that will be as futureproof as possible
I've convinced him to budget £1,000 to replace/update everything, including peripherals and software, but would hope to bring the basics (box, screen, keyboard, mouse) for £600.

So on spec, I'm thinking:
- Any processor
- Bump up to 1GB RAM
- Any graphics card. Target 256MB, but 512 if cost is reasonable
- Modem & Etenret built-in
- Can wireless be added later as a USB dongle?
- Min 17" LCD screen. Target 19". Presumably DVI?
- Decent sound, so probably standalone speakers, but no need for a sub-woofer
- 'Normal' spec DVD/CD writer
- Will probably need a full set of new peripherals (mouse, keyboard, scanner, printer)
Have I missed, or over/underestimated anything? Any other advice?

As a numpty, he will probably buy an all-in-one bundle (ie Dell or similar), but I have opened his mind to buying separates. So any easy advice on:
- Other bundle suppliers worth checking.
- Box-only suppliers (Evesham?)
- Screens (I'm happy with my Iiyama, and of course there are Samsung, LG etc.)
- Sound?

I'm happy to do a bit of research on the net for him, but want to be clear what my parameters are, and some basic leads & recommendations. Any help appreciated.

[zaktoo]

I did a medium-spec PC for a friend, and it rocks.

Basically, an AMD Athlon 64, plus 939-chip motherboard (he got an Asus, there are other options though), plus at least 1 GB RAM, plus SATA 2 hard drive, nVidia 6600GT video card. That is all.
It is great for 2 reasons porimarily - the ability to go with a dual core processor in the future when prices are reasonable, and the ability to slot another PCe SLI graphics card in to run in parallel.
HTH

Ciao

Zak

Edit: The "GT" part of the 6600 GT is quite crucial - there is a lower-spec 6600 that is not worth getting, IMHO.

>> Edited by zaktoo on Thursday 8th December 14:21

[Plotloss]

My preferences, as thats all they really are:

CPU - AMD for games/media, Intel for desktop apps
Mobo - Either Asus or Gigabyte
HDD - Hitachi IBM or Seagate
VGA - ATI, cant really quantify this one, they seem less prone to issue than the nVidia cards
Memory - Kingston or Crucial
Sound - M-Audio
Case - Coolermaster

There should be a component available from each of these manufacturers that allows you to hit your £600 target.

If he is a computer numpty though, push him to Dell and let them deal with the 'Help, I've deleted all me porn' phone calls...

[Podie]

Plotloss said:

If he is a computer numpty though, push him to Dell and let them deal with the 'Help, I've deleted all me porn' phone calls...

[neil_cardiff]

HiRich said:

I've been asked by a friend to spec up a new PC, and having been spoilt for so long by choosing Apple (where decisons are as simple as good, better, best), I need some help, please. He: - Needs a Windows machine, not Mac - Wantrs a desktop machine - Readily admits he's a numpty - Main use is medium-level games (he loves his flightsim) and digital snapshots - Barely uses the internet (but I want to keep ADSL options open in the future) - Is interested in VOIP for calls to the US - Wants a machine that will be as futureproof as possible I've convinced him to budget £1,000 to replace/update everything, including peripherals and software, but would hope to bring the basics (box, screen, keyboard, mouse) for £600. So on spec, I'm thinking: - Any processor - Bump up to 1GB RAM - Any graphics card. Target 256MB, but 512 if cost is reasonable - Modem & Etenret built-in - Can wireless be added later as a USB dongle? - Min 17" LCD screen. Target 19". Presumably DVI? - Decent sound, so probably standalone speakers, but no need for a sub-woofer - 'Normal' spec DVD/CD writer - Will probably need a full set of new peripherals (mouse, keyboard, scanner, printer) Have I missed, or over/underestimated anything? Any other advice? As a numpty, he will probably buy an all-in-one bundle (ie Dell or similar), but I have opened his mind to buying separates. So any easy advice on: - Other bundle suppliers worth checking. - Box-only suppliers (Evesham?) - Screens (I'm happy with my Iiyama, and of course there are Samsung, LG etc.) - Sound? I'm happy to do a bit of research on the net for him, but want to be clear what my parameters are, and some basic leads & recommendations. Any help appreciated.

Whats wrong with just pushing him onto a Dell, it'd save you a shite load of time, and him a shite load of cash...

[pdV6]

HiRich said:

As a numpty, he will probably buy an all-in-one bundle (ie Dell or similar), but I have opened his mind to buying separates.

Will probably cost more to go the self-build route.

Have you looked at somewhere like Novatech? Should be something to suit for the budget.

[HiRich]

Sorry, by separates, I meant box/screen/speakers, etc. not component level.

A quick browse of the Dell store was... well, less than helpful, and seemd to come down to "how much do you want to spend?" But I'd like to at least have some justification for choosing one route over another.

[Plotloss]

Justification for who though?

To justify to you, see deleted porn argument

To justify to him, in home tech support, big brand, well respected, good prices etc etc.

I feel you will be creating a bit of a rod for your own back if you build this...

[zaktoo]

I'm from South Africa where things might be a little different, but don't you guys have computer suppliers (to end users, not resellers) where you can walk in and say "I want this, that & that in a box please" and get just that? That's what I assumed the OP meant... :/

Ciao

Zak

[aldi]

zaktoo said:

I'm from South Africa where things might be a little different, but don't you guys have computer suppliers (to end users, not resellers) where you can walk in and say "I want this, that & that in a box please" and get just that? That's what I assumed the OP meant...

Zak: Cool they build it for you there & then? Do they put the OS on?

Rich: Dell's 'base' prices are cheap, but as soon as you spec the machine up to something useable the self-build gets a bit cheaper again. The specs you mentioned sound fine, for 17" LCD or less I wouldn't go too far out of my way for DVI but 19"+ starts to become worth it. Particularly for games I wouldn't just get the cheapest LCD available, get one with a better than average response time and contrast ratio.

[flossythepig]

HiRich said:

A quick browse of the Dell store was... well, less than helpful, and seemd to come down to "how much do you want to spend?" But I'd like to at least have some justification for choosing one route over another.

My daughter has just bought a cheap Dell system as advertised on TV. Spec might not be high bought she upgraded the monitor to 17" and added a couple of simple speakers. £350.

I had to go and set it up. Instructions consisted of about seven pictures showing the sequence of what to plug and where. The last picture was the large ON button the press. Answered a few simple questions to get XP Home up and running and away they went. Had the leave it at that as GC number three was desparate to play Madagascar.

Returned at the weekend to get email and internet working because didn't use the pre-installed software. Cheap USB modem already owned, piece of cake to install and works OK. Hardest part was finding the passwords for ISP connection and email.

Hugh

PS If VOIP is required you really need broadband internet.

[workshy fop]

Mesh are pretty good for the specced up home market.
About £700-800 for what you want, 19'' flat panel etc.
www.meshcomputers.com/
Don't build your own, you'll only spend hours building it and "supporting" your mate.

[bga]

workshy fop said:

Mesh are pretty good for the specced up home market. About £700-800 for what you want, 19'' flat panel etc. www.meshcomputers.com/ Don't build your own, you'll only spend hours building it and "supporting" your mate.

I've just brought a Mesh as I have some stuff which won't run easily on OSX. A few of my mates have had Mesh boxes & they have been very reliable. Not the cheapest but the quality appears to be better than the equivalent Dells. Only problem is having to wait 2 weeks for delivery now.

[wedg1e]

Mmmm... Flight Sim...

[zaktoo]

aldi said:

zaktoo said: I'm from South Africa where things might be a little different, but don't you guys have computer suppliers (to end users, not resellers) where you can walk in and say "I want this, that & that in a box please" and get just that? That's what I assumed the OP meant... Zak: Cool they build it for you there & then? Do they put the OS on?

If you want Microsoft stuff they'd probably put it on for you. I suspect that if you were wanting Linux you'd be better off doing it yourself...


Ciao

Zak

[annodomini2]

workshy fop said:

Mesh are pretty good for the specced up home market. About £700-800 for what you want, 19'' flat panel etc. www.meshcomputers.com/ Don't build your own, you'll only spend hours building it and "supporting" your mate.

Cheaper to self build.

[grumpy rob]

yes it is cheaper to build them yourself.

But for ease of ordering you might what to take a look at

www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/full_systems.html

there are some very well rounded machines there. Please note I'm in no way connected with them apart from having used them in the past and having ordered stuff from them for work.

cheers.

[BCA]

www.eclipse-computers.com > Custom built systems > spec away.

Very very very happy with mine atm though it did take the collective minds of many PH'ers to get everything set up on it... though thats more down to me being an idiot when it comes to computers!

[HiRich]

Thanks for the replies, that's what I needed:
- No point looking far beyond Dell, if he wants the safety of a name brand
- Should consider Mesh, overclockers & Eclipse, if he's willing to think a bit
- My core spec is about right, and Plotloss has highlighted a few points & brands to keep to.


A final question. What's the deal with AMD and Intel? Are there any benefits, issues or risks with going AMD (e.g. needs some core software to work as if it were a Pentium chip?)

[grumpy rob]

HiRich said:

A final question. What's the deal with AMD and Intel? Are there any benefits, issues or risks with going AMD (e.g. needs some core software to work as if it were a Pentium chip?)

No special software needed.

As a personal opinion I've been happier with AMD machines in recent years when compared to the Intel versions. Used to be a lot of cost benefits with AMD not sure if that is the case these days.

www.tomshardware.com has useful articles comparing recent AMD vs Intel products