Anyone build and sell PC's?

[Jeff]

I know a lot of you guys on here work in IT so thought it was worth asking. I'm looking for a new PC as mine is really old and slow.

Having searched around on the net it seems computers are not as expensive as I thought :) Having visited a site I have put my own spec together which is shown in the attachment. I also want to add a DVD Writer/Re-writer and have found ones for about £170, although I'd have to fit it meself cos the site I've used don't list one :(

I have monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer etc so don't want to spend money buying new ones. Could do with a scanner tho if they're cheap too? I also have all the software I need :)

I don't know much about computers so welcome any comments on what I've chosen. I really wanted to see if anyone on here could build me something to a similar (or better?) spec for similar money (preferably cheaper!).

I'd rather give the cash to someone on here (and hopefully see them spend it on some go faster bits :D) than give it to a stranger. If no one has any thoughts on this I'll assume I'm not being dumb and buy the spec I've chosen :)

Thanks - Jeff

[BOYO]

a dvd writer for £170 is pretty unmatchable, thats a good price

[Jezz_S13]

If you buy a DVD writer make sure you know hwat you are getting.

Sony DRU 500A is the best at the min £245 delivered form Dabs.
Can write at 4 speed to DVD-R but can write to DVD+R and DVD-R and DVD+RW.

DVD media cheap from www.cdevolutions.co.uk

Scanners are cheap as chips.

look at www.ebuyer.co.uk, www.dabs.com or www.computerprices.co.uk for comparison.

[David_S14]

Spec looks OK for a word processing/internet type PC.
If you get a XP1700 try and get a "b" stepping chip (codes AXDA1700DUT3C for chip type and JIUHB at the start of the next line) this should future proof you a bit as the overclock really well.
If you can't get the "b" stepping from there you could get the chip from somewhere else ( www.overclockers.co.uk was advertising them).

[Jezz_S13]

Oh just noticed Plextor now have a DVD writer
http://www.plextor.be/english/products/PX504A.html

Only does DVD+R +RW but plextor ARE the daddies for anything CD related, so I imagine they will be too with DVD.

Pretty cheap too...
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X3NwZWNpZmljYXRp b25z&product_uid=45468

[NooNoo]

try building your own pc, i have built 5 or 6 now and its quite easy, all the components come with fitting instructions and loads of magazines give a step by step guid, and if you build your own you will save money and get the components you want, e.g. an apg slot in the motherboard, decent ddr memory slots, will take faster processors than you want to fit for future proofing etc ect.

[Mark]

is that price just for the parts or do they build it for you as well? looks quite cheap if its built :D

[Jeff]

That price is built and delivered :)

Here's the DVD writer I had found:

DVD R/RW (http://www.pcworld.co.uk/store/martprd.dll/store/pcw_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0468122217.104782557 0@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccdadchkghldmicefecfgmdffgdflh.0&chain=PC_World&channel=WEB&browserName=ie&browserVersion=4&platform=pc&firstrun=yes&page=Product&timestamp=1047825574220&sku=680955&page=Product&chain=PC_World&channel=WEB&browserName=ie&browserVersion=4&platform=pc&timestamp=1047825574220&sku=680955&microsite_id=undefined)

Is it any good? Seems a good price?

[Mark]

I know they make good cameras, dunno about computer bits tho. NEC do a 4x one thats only about £20 more but again couldnt comment on its worth :( I usually use Liteon or LG drives but havent used a DVDRW yet, getting tempted tho with the current prices :D

[Mad Max]

For DVD writers Pioneer are pretty good, I have the 104 which is a 2x, but there are 4x ones out now.

I notice that spec doesn't include a case to put it all in ;) I could build a PC similar to that spec but using quality components (i.e. Crucial memory, Maxtor HDD etc) for about £400 if you're interested.

[Jeff]

Thanks for the thoughts guys. The first thing on the list is the case, they have 2, 3 and 4 slot towers. I chose the 4 slot one as it was only £5 more than the 2 slot one :D

If anyone is interested the site is www.dantronix.net

David_S14, I'm sorry but I don't quite understand your advice :o is the chip I have selected not much good? They have a number of other options. Sorry to be dumb but I only have a fairly basic knowledge of computers :o You're right about the kind of use the PC will be for tho, word processing, the internet and downloading photo's from digital camera and that's about it :)

[David_S14]

Originally posted by Jeff
David_S14, I'm sorry but I don't quite understand your advice :o is the chip I have selected not much good? They have a number of other options. Sorry to be dumb but I only have a fairly basic knowledge of computers :o You're right about the kind of use the PC will be for tho, word processing, the internet and downloading photo's from digital camera and that's about it :)

The chip is fine.
As AMD produce more 1700 chips over time they get better and better at it. Therefore the ones that are best to buy are from the latest batches made, in this case there is a little area on the chip that has some numbers on it, the first one is the chip type which should be AXDA1700DUT3C, telling you its a XP1700. The number under this is the stepping or batch number, each time they improve the process they give it a new number, the latest batch to look for has a number that begins with JIUHB. If you can contact the PC builders ask them if they can tell you the stepping number they use and if it's not of the latest batch ask if they can get one for you. It's not a massive deal but the latest batches are able to run alot faster than the older ones.

[realityx]

the diff between pally and tbred cores,
are non exsistent to some1 who doesnt
know about pcs, ....if your not going
to o/c then it dont really matter.

you can get gauranteed stepping o/c tbreds from
http://www.cpucity.co.uk/acatalog/XP_CHIPS.html

the xp1800 jiucb....is good for anything upto
a whopping 2.4gig!

I go with what the other guys say
on here...try and build it for yourslef,
over the years the config errors
you might have got have become less
and less...to the point its almost
as easy a building a mechano set:D :D

[Jeffers_S13]

Email Phil_K he builds and sells top notch PC's in his spare time.

[philk]

just looking

a 2ghz processor will cost you around £57 canyt remember + or inc lol
motherboards start from £39 +vat (try KT400 spec board)
memory (best cost at present) £50 inc for 512mb ddr333 pc2700
cases are £24+vat
Hdd 40 gb = £57inc
graphics cards start from £30inc for a Geforce2 400mx

just a taste.........

[Vipers]

yeah theres no fuss or hassle involved in building PC's the only hard bit is putting those damn motherboard housing screws into the case!! bloody things keep falling out of my tool thing i use!! other than that put it in wheere it fits is the best advise cuz you can't put the wrong stuff in the wrong socket HOWEVER on when i used to work ina computer shop a guy was getting all arsey saying that are memory is crap and it blew up neerly all of computer. altho there is a notch on sdram which makes it so that it can only go in one way round. this guy must have serverly shoved his ram in the wrong way round it killed the CPU obviously the ram as well and the motherboard as well, i think the PSU died as well. all down to his incompetence and saying "i've built loads of computers before they never done this to me" our head tech guy replied "well perhaps we shud give you a job in technical dept. seeing as you've built so many, out of curiosity how many?" guy replied "3" tech "that makes you an expert then" the guy then picks up his stuff and storms out.

i had built at least 10 before i started working there built prolly getting on to 200 while i was there built quite a few since i've left prolly 40

decent comp prices doesn't only vary by supplier it varys by location aswell. noticed that guys out in the west country have very cheap prices.