Motherboards in PC World computers
Discussion
Any chance that the motherboards and other components they don;t exactly fill you in about in PC World, Currys and Dixons are any good?
Basically, a mate has been given £300 to spend at one of those three places, and wants a good computer for gaming (GT Legends etc) but is there anything good, reliable that you can get for that money, and are the motherboards (and other bits they don't tell you the specs of) they use shockingly bad?
If I were to ask them in the shop what mobo it had, would they even have a clue?
Dave.
Basically, a mate has been given £300 to spend at one of those three places, and wants a good computer for gaming (GT Legends etc) but is there anything good, reliable that you can get for that money, and are the motherboards (and other bits they don't tell you the specs of) they use shockingly bad?
If I were to ask them in the shop what mobo it had, would they even have a clue?
Dave.
A lot of them use basic boards from common manufacturers, e.g. MSI. Sometimes just with their own BIOS and logo flashed on it. And for £300, no particular aspect of the whole PC is going to set the world on fire apart from the price You can sometimes tell if it's got an AGP/PCIx slot though by where the monitor connection is on the back, if its with the serial, keyboard, sound etc. all together then it *might* not have one whereas if its seperate in one of the expansion slots then it probably has. As long as its got one you can allways upgrade the graphics, and stick some more RAM in.
You can sometimes tell if it's got an AGP/PCIx slot though by where the monitor connection is on the back, if its with the serial, keyboard, sound etc. all together then it *might* not have one whereas if its seperate in one of the expansion slots then it probably has. As long as its got one you can allways upgrade the graphics, and stick some more RAM in.Definately..
PC World =
Processor to impress people without the knowledge of motherboards and other components
Motherboard, PSU, Graphics all cheap tat but as long as the CPU sounds good the price will go sky high.
It's a shame, but the comp does have to be from one of those 3 shops, otherwise he has nothing.
Thinking about advising the Packard Bell iMedia 1428.. I will format it for him and take down the partition first, as they come with all kind of BS installed. It's PCI-E so upgradeable, and does come with 128MB Graphics card standard.. however an extra £60, but don't think he'll mind.
Dave.
PC World =
Processor to impress people without the knowledge of motherboards and other components
Motherboard, PSU, Graphics all cheap tat but as long as the CPU sounds good the price will go sky high.
It's a shame, but the comp does have to be from one of those 3 shops, otherwise he has nothing. Thinking about advising the Packard Bell iMedia 1428.. I will format it for him and take down the partition first, as they come with all kind of BS installed. It's PCI-E so upgradeable, and does come with 128MB Graphics card standard.. however an extra £60, but don't think he'll mind.
Dave.
yeah i'd agree that components in pc world can be a minefield. The common theme is though they sell known names but the specs of the components have been sacrificed somewhere.
If you know exactly what you are after, and know exactly what you are getting (as pc world like to sell bits in non-descript brown boxes) then you can grab some reasonable deals every now and then. On the whole though expect not much bang for your buck.
I'd be inclined to buy/build a system and save this cash for peripherals and media, where they tend to be slightly better price-wise
>> Edited by lockstock2sb on Monday 13th February 17:00
If you know exactly what you are after, and know exactly what you are getting (as pc world like to sell bits in non-descript brown boxes) then you can grab some reasonable deals every now and then. On the whole though expect not much bang for your buck.
I'd be inclined to buy/build a system and save this cash for peripherals and media, where they tend to be slightly better price-wise
>> Edited by lockstock2sb on Monday 13th February 17:00
lockstock2sb said:
I'd be inclined to buy/build a system and save this cash for peripherals and media, where they tend to be slightly better price-wise
Aye but unfortunately as much as I would like it to be possible, it can't be done.
He is getting it replaced under insurance so they are sending vouchers round to him.
As for cheap components, wonder if that is why Time went bust?
what about if you go for a system that offers the best upgrade path as opposed the best spec initially ? i.e. system with sli potential, and socket 939 etc....
That way he can borrow/thieve parts and at least that way he's got a way upwards without trashing the whole system in 2 years ?
>> Edited by lockstock2sb on Monday 13th February 17:13
That way he can borrow/thieve parts and at least that way he's got a way upwards without trashing the whole system in 2 years ?
>> Edited by lockstock2sb on Monday 13th February 17:13
For £300, you'll be lucky to get an entry level machine from a commercial outlet.
And a lot of what they do sell for that money is tat.
You'd probably get a reasonable one if you used the money for parts and built it yourself, but not really future proof (i.e. 12-18months) gaming machine.
You need a good £500 for a reasonable gaming machine, building it yourself.
And a lot of what they do sell for that money is tat.
You'd probably get a reasonable one if you used the money for parts and built it yourself, but not really future proof (i.e. 12-18months) gaming machine.
You need a good £500 for a reasonable gaming machine, building it yourself.
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