Advice on new comp! please
 

Hi,
Just hoping someone can give me some advice, need a comp for the kids looking at these two
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AMD-AM3-QUAD-C...item483cc78778

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

and i'm hoping for some advice, they are selling for around the £190-£220 mark!
the kids just want a fast comp, no real mega game playing, already got os, monitor etc.
Just didn't know if it's best to go for the 4GB ddr3 or the Geforce 8200 with 2 GB ddr2?
thanks

Re: Advice on new comp! please
 

I would go for the DDR3 board out of the two but to be honest I would look for a machine that just took ddr3 rather than a DDR2/3 like in the one listed.

Re: Advice on new comp! please
 

Thanks ZrByte, i was also edging towards DDR3.
When you say just a DDR3 machine i'm guessing they are a more upto date machine also does the price look ok?

Re: Advice on new comp! please
 

They both have onboard graphics so will be rubbish when it comes to playing any games from the last few years at any decent detail level. However both motherboards do have pci-e slots so you could buy a seperate card to give the graphics a boost.

Re: Advice on new comp! please
 

Yeah i noticed that but i don't think the kids will be playing many games, but could put a different graphics card in like you said.
Any thoughts on the AM3 QUAD CORE X4 640?

Re: Advice on new comp! please
 

the cpu is fine, it was released about 5 months ago so is still quite new tech. The rest of the system looks ok as well apart from the previously mentioned graphics.

Re: Advice on new comp! please
 

The CPU is one up from mine, I have the x4 630 and its a beast. Dont think you will be disappointed. Infact if they aren't gaming you could save yourself a bit and just go dual core.

---------- Post added at 12:23 ---------- Previous post was at 12:22 ----------

Not necessarily more upto date but usually faster/more reliable.

Re: Advice on new comp! please
 

Thanks for the heads up! looks like i'll put a bid or two in on the DDR3 machine

Re: Advice on new comp! please
 

Which OS are you using?? Gf8 will run areo but Gf7 won't.. but personally I think the choice to go for ddr3 is the best option as you can always update to a cheap 9600 or ati equiv for peanuts later on

Re: Advice on new comp! please
 

i will be using windows 7 if that works on the system, failing that it's back to good old XP!

Re: Advice on new comp! please
 

It will work but the display won't be compatible with Aero.. Also remember that the built in graphics will take away some of your memory..

A cheap though 9600/ati_equiv is probably under £40 so will make a great upgrade later on down the line just to speed up Win7 itself

Re: Advice on new comp! please
 

Just been looking around and a NVIDIA GeForce 9600 are coming in around £55, so a upgrade at a later date looks good.
When i get the winning bid (so far they range from £190 upwards )on one of the DDR3's i will inquire what price to have a up grade done there and then.

Re: Advice on new comp! please
 

Well didn't win the one today it went for £235, try again

Re: Advice on new comp! please
 

Well got one for £185, they tried the heavy sell on upgrades! But i stuck to no thanks, comp runs really well.
Time to get a graphics card!
Any advice please?
Looking at these two at the moment
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Re: Advice on new comp! please
 

This is my 3rd choice
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NVIDIA-GEFORCE...item3ca18287c4
But not so sure of this one

Re: Advice on new comp! please
 

I would go for the http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...ht_3179wt_1139

Because as well it having (like the other 2) 1GB DDR3 Memory, it has a fast 700MHz GPU clock.

Re: Advice on new comp! please
 

Thanks Chris, that's the one i also chose, it came on Thursday and runs very well