Upgarading to a new PC, what think?

Ben B · 22-01-2009, 23:03

Hi Guys,

I was wondering if any of you could help me decide on a new computer, only want base unit no monitor etc. for about up to Ã‚Â£200. I was looking at this one http://tinyurl.com/cfumlk but would like to hear your recommendations.

My current PC:
Processor: AMD Athlon XP 2200+ 1.80GHz
Memory: 1GB
Hard Disk: 40GB
OS: Windows XP Pro SP3
Graphics: 128mb Sapphire Radeon PCI

The one on PC World:
Processor: IntelÃ‚Â® CeleronÃ‚Â® Dual-Core E1200 (1.60GHz, 800MHz FSB, 512KB Cache)
OS: Genuine Windows VistaÃ‚Â® Home Premium
Memory: 1GB DDR2 800MHz memory
Hard Disk: 160GB SATA hard drive (7200rpm)
Graphics: IntelÃ‚Â® GMA 3100 graphics

22-01-2009, 23:13

not really impressed. Not enough ram for Vista really but it would be adequate at a push. Not an amazing cpu compared to something a little dearer and onboard gfx

I imagine your tower does most of what you need it to? if not what do you require it to do?

---------- Post added at 22:08 ---------- Previous post was at 22:06 ----------

personally id build a amd x2 system in that budget but if you do not fancy the build?

---------- Post added at 22:10 ---------- Previous post was at 22:08 ----------

http://www.aria.co.uk/Systems/Office...roductId=32078 this is better but no operating system

---------- Post added at 22:13 ---------- Previous post was at 22:10 ----------

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/155470

there is this but its 50 quid more

damien c · 22-01-2009, 23:36

dependent on what you want to do why dont you just add more ram change the cpu, to the next one up or so and increase the storage.

22-01-2009, 23:44

I doubt its customisable. The system I linked to does all that

Ben B · 23-01-2009, 00:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

not really impressed. Not enough ram for Vista really but it would be adequate at a push. Not an amazing cpu compared to something a little dearer and onboard gfx

I would definitely be looking at upgrading the RAM. I'd be using it mostly for web browsing maybe a little gaming but nothing to resource hungry as I play games mostly on consoles. The reason for upgrade is mostly because the one I have freezes for 5 seconds like every minute and it's really annoying and re-installing windows doesn't fix this and it is an old computer so it does need replacing really.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

personally id build a amd x2 system in that budget but if you do not fancy the build?

I was actually looking into building one myself but wasn't sure if it was possible in my budget so I may consider that option

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

http://www.aria.co.uk/Systems/Office+Range/Centurion/Gladiator+Centurion+Business+Partner+PC+?productId =32078

I like the look of that, probably one for the maybe pile as long as I can work out how to get SATA hard disk to work with XP

Quote:

Originally Posted by damien c

dependent on what you want to do why dont you just add more ram change the cpu, to the next one up or so and increase the storage.

The system is knackered and instable and I just don't see the point in spending money on something that isn't really worth spending money on.

23-01-2009, 00:25

my last link is the best one dude

the newer machines will run sata native no need to mess around

nffc · 23-01-2009, 00:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

not really impressed. Not enough ram for Vista really but it would be adequate at a push. Not an amazing cpu compared to something a little dearer and onboard gfx

I wouldn't even go that far to be honest. It's woefully inadequate, the RAM is nowhere near enough (really needs 2), the CPU is underpowered and it has built in gfx (more drain on not enough ram to begin with).

It would probably be slower than the existing machine because of the OS. Vista really needs a good dual core, with 2gig RAM especially if it doesn't have dedicated gfx.

damien c · 23-01-2009, 00:56

id be looking at seeing if you could increase your budget you will be able to get a far better pc if i was you.

Tarantella · 23-01-2009, 02:59

On a low budget I'd recommend waiting for a cheap 790gx micro atx to come out in the next few months. The onboard hd3300 graphics are good enough for WoW and CS etc. Too go with that either an amd 6000(89 watts) cpu or an amd 5050e(45watts), 2gb of ram(~Ã‚Â£35),dvd rewriter (~Ã‚Â£25), sata harddrive (~Ã‚Â£35) and cheap case including psu (~Ã‚Â£30).

~Ã‚Â£300 including the o/s is a more optimistic estimate.

Ben B · 23-01-2009, 19:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

my last link is the best one dude

Yeah, I didn't notice that one last night. I like it, far better than the PC World one I might order it

23-01-2009, 20:02

good luck mate

Ben B · 23-01-2009, 20:06

Though this bundle looks good and is a decent price, i'd just need to get a hard disk, case and psu http://www.planetmicro.co.uk/product...ckcode=M000256

23-01-2009, 20:07

and operating system if you are going legit

Ben B · 23-01-2009, 20:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

and operating system if you are going legit

I have a fully legit copy of Windows XP Professional so I could use that and then get an upgrade Vista disk, but it just seems a lot of hassle and more money. I'll have to keep looking before I can make a final decision.

23-01-2009, 20:14

well if you feel upto the job of building that really expands the options

---------- Post added at 19:14 ---------- Previous post was at 19:13 ----------

have a look at this

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/s...html?MBB-E522K