New computer

[Tom_1569]

Sure Cooler Master cases are excellent and there are other great specialist case makers too. But most custom-built computers are from shopping malls or similar and at the budget level they will likely use cases at the lower end. These will use a large amount of plastic, have difficult to remove covers, poor fitting panels, fewer bays, poor ventilation and no sound proofing.
Another point to note is that a branded off-the-shelf system will have the operating system (Windows Vista) installed and fully set up. A custom job may not include this in the sticker price and if installed for you it may have been done under time contraints with little or no testing. The brand name system will also likely have a restore facility should you have a serious software problem further down the line.

Yeah there are some very poor cases out there, but if hes getting a custom built comp then he should be choosing a decent case. I dont know why people use poor cases, a decent case can be had for 50 bux so no need to waste 30 bux on a **** one.
A decent computer shop should not charge to install windows if they build your PC, I never have, nor would I. The restore utilities are generally rubbish and reinstall a heap of useless preloaded software. One of the reasons its cheaper for an OS with an OEM like HP Acer etc is they make money from 3rd parties by installing trial software etc, which is generally a pain in the ass and a clutter. BUT for a basic home user it is a great utility, but then reinstalling windows from scratch is basic as hell these days anyway.

 

[STEALTHY™]

My custom built one came with Vista.

4gb ram, 500gb HD, half decent videocard etc. And an awesome case (not the one i wanted, but the 2nd best one i could find). Also a 22in monitor

Bargain for 1200

 

[Goon]

HAHAHAHA 4Gs on a PC, thats just wasting money, why not just light it with a match.

The best advice I can give you is to have a look at some of the previous threads on here for some online shops. If you go a desktop to play games then I wouldn't spend any more than about $1800 which will get you a good graphics card, 4GB RAM, 1 terabyte hard drive, decent case/power supply and a nice monitor.

Come back with a budget and we can suggest some stuff from there.

My old boy earns over 100,000gs a year why not? lol :yeah: plus his always owned a pc since he could back in the commodore 64 days its something he likes..and no he doesnt own a sweetride so why waste 4 gs on that??? his a paramedic so i highly doubt it with the crap his seen on the roads...

besideds u wont have a budget until you know who your going to buy one off..

 

[Ozzie]

mine cost me around 5 grand when i built it

now its outdated

The 2 xfire cards cant even handle GTA4 cous there 128bit :supersad:

 

[Goon]

mine cost me around 5 grand when i built it

now its outdated

The 2 xfire cards cant even handle GTA4 cous there 128bit :supersad:

did u run the test the games graphics option has?? something mark? its called.. if not u should try it, if u have well that sucks man

 

[50LTRv8]

U sure he isn't CSP?

O.k. I earn 90K a year and still won't bother spending that much money on a PC.

The rate at which newer versions of hardware are release is getting to the point of crazyness. Your far better off saving your 2K and then buying a newer machine in 1.5 - 2 years down the track, and buying something that will blow your current rig away. My machine is 2 years old and it can still play any new games that come out at 1600 * 1200 at high graphics ratings.

That machine is a Core 2 6600 (mildly overclocked) with a 8800 GT (factory overclocked) with 3GB RAM.

Runs Crysis quite nicely

 

[50LTRv8]

mine cost me around 5 grand when i built it

now its outdated

The 2 xfire cards cant even handle GTA4 cous there 128bit :supersad:

Thats exactly my point, there is a value point in buy a PC where the extra you pay does not = extra performance to the point where you would notice.

It is a little bit like car dynos, numbers are fine for bragging but not all that useful in using a comp day to day.

 

[Tom_1569]

U sure he isn't CSP?

LMAO, I had the same thought

Thats exactly my point, there is a value point in buy a PC where the extra you pay does not = extra performance to the point where you would notice.

Exactly, value for money, bang for buck etc, some people lose this common conception sometimes lol.

 

[mcrow5]

whats your budget? if your gonna use the pc at home, then a desktop would be best. however, if you wanna take it around with you a laptop is for you.

if you want a desktop;
cpu: intel q8200 2.33ghz
ram: 4gb ddr2 800mhz
graphics card: ATI HD4850 512mb
motherboard: gigabyte ud3
screen (if you need it): 22" screen or 24" depends how much money you have
case: coolermaster rc-690
harddrive: 500gb western digital (make sure you get the caviar black version, not the caviar green)
dvd drive: any pioneer one
mouse/keyboard: can use the one from the old pc.
operating system: windows vista 64bit (make sure its 64bit otherwise you wont be able to use the full 4gb of memory)

dont think ive forgotten anything there. thats just a basic system there, if you've got a high budget (2.5k) then i can spec an i7 system for you (better cpu).

 

[smith#29]

ok thanx for all of the reply's fellas, been a bit busy not getting on here so will try and answer the questions i was asked.

STEALTHY: location is in the middle of vic. might be worth looking into, good to save a few $$$.

Tom_1569: budget would be around 1500 - 2000.

vy_storm: the old one was a dell, believe the mother board was what stuffed up and was unable to be repaired. thinking back was around 4-5 yrs old.

It probably wont be used outside of the house, so as sugested will lean towards at desktop, and just use the old laptop for holidays etc.

As for custom build, i would have to listen to you guys there, because ive really got no idea about the inside of a computer lol, so would probably be easier to just buy a brand name computer?

thanx again guys.