Need help buying a...desktop

[Tj]

Hey guys, I was hoping somebody might have some advice regarding desktops, since D managed to get some laptop help 

I want to use it to play online multiplayer games (currently Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory, but I'll buy more if I have a decent graphics card), and just general computer stuff like playing music and web-browsing. I've done hours of research on various websites and I do have a couple of candidates - including one self-build - but the help of someone other than a salesman would be excellent 

I think probably the most important things to me are that I have the best processor I can get for the money I'm looking to spend on the computer, a hard drive in excess of 200GB so I can transfer lots of data from my current computer and have a load of space available for downloading stuff, 1GB of RAM, and the best graphics card I can get too.

That's just my assessment though, and more knowledgable input is welcome!

[Izzy]

Bought a games machine a few months ago

Sadly the UK and North Korea have 2 things in common (one being evil war making leaders) - we cant get the latest US computer tech in a pre made computer

I kid u not

Trawl through Dell US, Voodoo and Alienware

The try and find those types of machines here

U cant - i spent 3 months looking

Dell UK doesn't do games machines so ignore them, and the rest will sell u an average machine at a vast price

...sadly, very sadly, all thats left is MESH. They sell amazingly powerful machines, at distressingly low prices.

My last 4 machines from them arrived broken - badly broken - avoid MESH!!

...but they are your only choice for a really powerful machine unless u build it urself

which i suggest u do - or hire a pro to do

[Genesis]

build it urself

Exactly. The only way u r going to get ur money's worth is if u assemble one from scratch. I'm sure there are plenty of guys who can assemble one for u:

1) Fix a budget. With computer stuff, it's easy to go crazy on the latest hardware, if u're not careful.
2) Write down a configuration ( or get somebody knowledgeable to do it for u).
3) Tweak it till u have the best parts for ur budget.
4) Go to ur local "computer market" (Doesn't every city have one?) and buy the stuff.
5) Assemble or get somebody to do it for u.

With branded PCs, u'll pay a sizable sum for the brand name. If u assemble one, u know that u get what u pay for AND u have lots of head room for upgrading. Branded PCs have custom boards and bays, so that only a particular replacement from the vendor will work. All my PCs are assembled and I've done quite a few for my friends as well. Oh also, the general belief that assembled PCs are somehow inferior to branded ones is bullshit.

[Tj]

My last 4 machines from them arrived broken - badly broken - avoid MESH!!

I thought I'd google the company to see what other reviews I could find (thinking maybe you'd just been unlucky four times in a row)...didn't take me long to find four pages worth of people slagging it off. I'll definitely steer clear of it

Thanks for your advice guys, I really appreciate it. I've got a rough idea of the stuff I'd want to make my machine out of. I might be miles away from getting myself a good deal, but this is it so far. What do ya think? I'm especially clueless on issues such as power supply, but I did read that gamers often need between 500 and 800 watts or something. Compatibility of parts is another thing I don't know how to be sure of really. I also don't have a clue how to put the damn thing together but I'll probably just get a friend to come round and help me when I've got the parts. Sorry about the messy lay-out! It looks fine when I'm writing the message but it doesn't line up when it's posted.



ThermalTake Mambo Case Black No PSU                                                                                               33.96

1.44MB 3.5 Inch Floppy Disk Drive                                                                                                       8.22

Maxtor IDE DiamondMax Plus21 PATA 320Gb 16Mb Cache Hard Disk Drive <9.0ms 7200rpm - OEM         66.97

Samsung 52x CD-ROM Drive BLACK                                                                                                          9.36

400MHz 184Pin 1GB PC3200 DDR RAM DIMM 2.5V 3.2Gb/Sec                                                                 69.33

Hiper Type R Modular Red 12 Device Connect 580Watt                                                                        61.1

Sapphire X1600 Pro 512MB DDR2 AVIVO TV/Out 8X AGP                                                                     99.99

Logitech Media Elite Keyboard USB/PS2                                                                                                  17.8

Trust GM-4200 Corded Gaming Mouse USB                                                                                             15.11

Novatech 2500 Watt 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers                                                                                25.73

Sony Silver AW-G170AS Dual Layer 18X DVD+/-R/RW 12X DVD RAM Burner OEM                                     23.49

Viewsonic 17" TFT 1280x1024 75HZ VA702 12MS                                                                                 123.56

Motherboard Bundles Intel 805 Dual Core 945 Express Heatsink and Fan, 512mb Ram, Motherboard   163.32

Windows XP Home OEM With Service Pack 2                                                                                             63.5


Total: ?781.44

 

[C0ma]

The only thing I'd say about the custom built system is that it will be helpful if you have a slightly better than basic understanding of PC's. If there is an issue with the system it is up to you, or the person you found to build it, to troubleshoot any hardware issues. Also depending on where you buy the parts Warranty swaps can be a hassle.

It is the way to go, but you tend to have no one (in an Indian Call Center) to turn to if there is a problem.

[Tj]

The only thing I'd say about the custom built system is that it will be helpful if you have a slightly better than basic understanding of PC's. If there is an issue with the system it is up to you, or the person you found to build it, to troubleshoot any hardware issues. Also depending on where you buy the parts Warranty swaps can be a hassle.

It is the way to go, but you tend to have no one (in an Indian Call Center) to turn to if there is a problem.

That's a good point; My understanding of PCs is better than, say, the average housewife, but to be fair it's still pretty limited. I've lived with faulty computers for extended periods of time in the past so I do have a certain amount of experience of solving problems, I was kinda hoping building the computer and reading up as I went along would arm me with the know-how to be able to solve hardware problems in the future, should they happen to come. It would definitely all be a learning process for me.

[Sin Cut]

Samsung 52x CD-ROM Drive BLACK                                     why this?

[unoturbo]

I'm not an uber computer man, but I would guess your motherboard will come with a PCI-express graphics slot and not AGP (you've listed an AGP graphics card). If it doesn't, you want to choose another one that does.

Also I think you have to match the speed of the ram to the processor so I think you need 533mhz ram not 400 (but I may be wrong). I'd also try and get a motherboard deal that doesn't include 512mb ram and just shell out on 2 gig of cheap ram instead.

[Sparksry]

Well i was gonna make a new thread but this will be ok... Im looking at buying a laptop for college next year. I need one thats very good for multi media. people are telliing me Mac are the best for this. and my budget is below 1500 so does anyone have any good ideas ?