nightwolf Posted August 20, 2008 Author Share Posted August 20, 2008 Ah ta everyone, I'm writing it all down so that when I am looking I can easily dismiss certain machines. Hopefully my mum will be put off by paying £900 for a computer, hurray! Interesting about vista, something I never realised! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sanchez Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 I should note that Dell frequently have 10% off vouchers, I got a good hundred and something pounds knocked off my laptop. They don't have any right now but have a search on http://www.hotukdeals.com/ every couple of days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightwolf Posted August 20, 2008 Author Share Posted August 20, 2008 Hmm ok now I need help, as much as I know what I need, it's now a case of finding one. I went into comet/curries today and whilst I found some god things, I was disappointed, I don't really want to go and buy online as I can't really because of the parents. Raining linked me to one pc, but I'm abit unsure after everything that has been said. Help? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sanchez Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 Do you know any local PC stores? If you ask nicely they can probably build whatever you're looking for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightwolf Posted August 20, 2008 Author Share Posted August 20, 2008 I do know one actually, might be an idea to pop in, although I'm not sure my parents would mind buying from them. That's my only restriction, otherwise it'd be alot easier. -.- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sanchez Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 Your parents seem a little paranoid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoogleViper Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 Hmm ok now I need help, as much as I know what I need, it's now a case of finding one. I went into comet/curries today and whilst I found some god things, I was disappointed, I don't really want to go and buy online as I can't really because of the parents. Raining linked me to one pc, but I'm abit unsure after everything that has been said. Help? Help with what? Your parents seem a little paranoid. My girlfriend's parents are the same. They never buy anything online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightwolf Posted August 21, 2008 Author Share Posted August 21, 2008 Indeed, it's not so much paranoia as they really don't know much about buying online except for maybe ebay and amazon, neither I'd buy a new pc from. :P Moogle help with actually finding a pc that fits some criteria, rainings was ok but the graphic card is pants, although I may just buy it and tinker with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McPhee Posted August 25, 2008 Share Posted August 25, 2008 If you can only buy in store and are able to go to Bolton then Scan reside up there, pretty good computer store and they'll build you whatever you want. Their list of industry awards might appease your parents? Or there's Overclockers in Stoke, Micro Anvika in the Trafford Centre (although i know barely anything about them, just recognise the name from somewhere) and Micro Direct have a couple of showrooms in Manchester (i think these are just extensions of warehouses though rather than actual fitted shops). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pookiablo Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 Dell are good, but if you're doing game stuff then I imagine you might need to fork a fair bit out. If you go for one of their all-round multimedia machine then I doubt you'd be disappointed! I bought a Dell XPS laptop from them 2 years ago and even now it runs like a beauty! 1920 x 1200 screen res for the win! Otherwise you could always try Mesh computers (dunno the website). They offer some pretty awesome systems and last time i checked, the prices weren't too bad either! My friend has bought many a PC from them and is always quite happy with them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightwolf Posted August 26, 2008 Author Share Posted August 26, 2008 Ah McPhee I've been trying to push them to overclockers in stoke as I'm nearby (barely half an hour drive there). Pookiablo that is good to know (see what I did there?), what do you use your dell for? Currently I'm sticking with the currys one raining linked me to and from there I'll upgrade it. It says that the graphics is Intel Graphic Media Acce X3000, which I'm guessing is bad..? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jordan Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 Haha... Oh yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightwolf Posted August 26, 2008 Author Share Posted August 26, 2008 haha why does that not surprise me, its fine and then they ruin it. I suppose I'll have to upgrade it if I do buy it pretty quickly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoogleViper Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 Try this place http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/ Processor (CPU) Intel® Core™2 Quad Q6600 (4 X 2.40GHz) 1066MHz FSB/8MB Cache Memory (RAM) 4GB CORSAIR DOMINATOR 1066MHz - LIFETIME WARRANTY (2x2GB) Motherboard ASUS® P5Q WS: DDR2, SATAII, PCI-e x16, 1 PCI, 2 x PCI-e x1 USB Options 8 x USB 2.0 PORTS (6 REAR + 2 FRONT) AS STANDARD Memory - 1st Hard Disk 500GB SERIAL ATA II HARD DRIVE WITH 8MB CACHE (7,200rpm) 1st CD/DVD Drive 20x Dual Layer LightScribe DVD Writer ±R/±RW/RAM Graphics Card 512MB GEFORCE 9800GTX+ PCI Express + DVI + TV-OUT Sound Card ONBOARD 8 CHANNEL (7.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD) Network Facilities 2 x ONBOARD 10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORTS Memory Card Reader INTERNAL 52 IN 1 CARD READER (READS XD, MS, CF, SD, etc) Case Stylish Silver/Black Trident case + 2 front USB Power Supply & Case Cooling 600W Quiet Quad Rail PSU + 120mm Case Fan (£59) Processor Cooling SUPER QUIET 22dBA TRIPLE COPPER HEATPIPE CPU COOLER (£15) £720 Just a rough guideline. You can choose exactly what you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightwolf Posted August 26, 2008 Author Share Posted August 26, 2008 To buy or to upgrade haha? I can't actually find out where the nearest one is and not sure if I can afford to tell my parents that I need £720 for a computer, it was bad enough with £620. edit: why the hell would you need 8 usb?! Never mind, make that 10..christ I hardly use the three I have one here and one of them is because of a mouse. You can't buy in person, I told you I can't buy online..as helpful as it is and as much as I'd like to! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoogleViper Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 To buy or to upgrade haha? I can't actually find out where the nearest one is and not sure if I can afford to tell my parents that I need £720 for a computer, it was bad enough with £620. edit: why the hell would you need 8 usb?! Never mind, make that 10..christ I hardly use the three I have one here and one of them is because of a mouse. You can't buy in person, I told you I can't buy online..as helpful as it is and as much as I'd like to! Force them to use the internet. My girlfriend's family will willingly pay twice the price 'cos they are scared of shopping on the internet or some shit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightwolf Posted August 26, 2008 Author Share Posted August 26, 2008 Force them to use the internet. My girlfriend's family will willingly pay twice the price 'cos they are scared of shopping on the internet or some shit. Sigh, I know you are trying to help and I really do appreciate it, but you really have no idea how stubborn parents can be.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pookiablo Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 Nightwolf what is your budget exactly??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightwolf Posted August 26, 2008 Author Share Posted August 26, 2008 I've not actually been told one, which makes it quite confusing. I think 650 is probably pushing it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jordan Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 Buying a PC from a shop is utter lunacy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pookiablo Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 Pookiablo that is good to know (see what I did there?), what do you use your dell for? I'm assuming you're referring to the awesome rhymes you're slapping down on these forums with "Pookiablo" and "know"? If so, very impressive, you're gonna go far in life, I can sense it! Well I'm not particularly helpful as I bought a laptop, a Dell M1710 XPS one to be precise which is built specifically for gaming! The main reason why I bought it was because I wanted something that would last me throughout Uni and a short while after and so far it still runs as well as the day I got it! Other difference is that it was very expensive....but game wise it's absolutely godly! But I suggested Dell because despite all the people on the internet who claim that Dell suck and think they know it all, they're actually pretty good, plus in most cases quite cheap. Very good sales team - was in no way bombarded with unneccessary upgrades or insurance and even got a couple of phone calls afterwards just to check that everything was fine and dandy. So that would please your parents. Only thing I was thinking is that from what you've described, your course sounds like you're gonna need quite a powerful computer - correct me if I'm wrong though, as I don't know loads about these sorta things. With Dell, although you get good value, you're primarily paying for them to put the thing together - which is perfect for a n00b like me - but at the same time you're probably losing out on components. Whoever said that they use cheap components is talking out of their ass, that's only if you're buying a cheap business machine or something. My machine is full of all kinds of hot shit. Despite saying all that though, I've looked at the desktops on the Dell website and there's not really much special at the moment on there unless you're dishing out a fair wedge of cash. That or things like the RAM or GPU are a bit too low, whereas everything else is pretty acceptable. Do you have a monitor already? If so perhaps you could not get a new one and use the money saved to upgrade in another area? Otherwise you could try the Dell Outlet: http://outlet.dell.com/Emea_Dfo/EuDispatcher?country=GBR&target=InventoryPage&lob_constraint=DIM There's some good machines on here - they're older models but they have higher quality parts and at lower prices - a decent "old" graphics card is better than a low end new one. Although that's bound to provoke some debate because the older cards won't be directx 10. If you're capable or have a friend who is, it may well be better just buying things separately and putting together yourself as you will save an absolute fortune and I assure you that you'll also get a pretty high-end PC for your cash. Otherwise you're gonna have to convince your parents to fork out a lot. Also, don't worry about upgrading later on so much, chances are you'll either make no upgrades or very minimal ones at least. It's a bit of a sticky situation really - the thing is, for the machine you're after, you probably do need to find a gaming PC specific website which will provide tailor-made PCs at decent prices - Dell has the XPS line but it don't come cheap! Also, do NOT buy anything from PC World, Currys or Comet - these machines are in no way designed for what you need them for and they are complete shite! They're just family computers - built for those who use a PC for the basics. My mate used to work at PC World and I'm sure he could tell you how crap their stuff can be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightwolf Posted August 26, 2008 Author Share Posted August 26, 2008 haha jordan, it is unfortunetly. Thats good to know about dells, my mum is still trying to get me although it'll be second hand, although not by much, so we'll see. Unfortunetly I am trying to get my parents to buy something online, god knows I'd love to buy from pcspecialists, but its just the way my parents work. I will indeed need a powerful computer, but for the first year I think I can cope with the pc's I'm currently looking at with abit of an upgrade and worry when I get into the second year. We'll see I have the information and a couple of pcs in mind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McPhee Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 haha why does that not surprise me, its fine and then they ruin it. I suppose I'll have to upgrade it if I do buy it pretty quickly? You might wanna make 100% sure you can upgrade it too, i know a few people who have bought computers with intergrated graphics expecting to upgrade the graphics card only to find out there's no PCI-e slot (or the PCI-e slot is diabled, or the card that comes with the machine is glued in to the slot). It seems to be a crappy new method that system builders are using to force you to buy their more expensive models. I've seen the ATi 3870 for as little as £70, yet it can easily bump the price of a pre-built system up by hundreds of pounds! Oh and disciount vouchers; 5% off at PC World: YAWAUG08 - Expires on Sunday 5% off at Dell: P4R3GM72CGW9TG - Expires TOMORROW You can also get cashback through Quidco; 4% from Dell and 2.5% from PC World. They keep the first £5 of the cashback you earn each year though, so bare that in mind (it's basically the membership fee). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightwolf Posted August 26, 2008 Author Share Posted August 26, 2008 Ah ta! I won't be buying it til the parents get back off holiday, on the 8th ish I think. The computer I'm looking at has two pci slots, but I'll be asking when I go in anyway (although they usually know fuck all I've found, but it'll be interesting) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCK Posted August 26, 2008 Share Posted August 26, 2008 Moogle's PC is win ^ Only thing recommendable is interchanging the 9800GTX with a Radeon HD4870 because of memory speed. Hope you have a good monitor though, because things will really get expensive if you need a good game design monitor 24" @ 1920x1200 = 220+ pounds.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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