- Joined
- Nov 14, 2004
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Hi all, forum newbie alert!!!
Right, where do I start? Hmmm, maybe by giving you details on my current spec and wish list. I’m using a P3 1Gig machine, with 128Mb RAM (was 3 times that before I had a motherboard issue that blew two slots), ATI Radeon 64Mb VIVO and a 19” Samsung CRT monitor. Having limped along for long enough following the motherboard disaster, I’ve decided to spend some cash/credit! The only problem is that I’ve got more questions than answers at present! My thoughts are…
If I go down the ‘But Now – Pay Later’ route, which company should I trust with my business? I’m leaning towards Mesh as I have a colleague that had a good experience with them. However, having read negative comments about virtually all the major mail order companies (Mesh, Carrera, Evesham, etc.) I’m starting to get cold feet. The only company that I’ve found with no real negative feedback is Leapfrog, but I have never heard of them and cannot find them in any of the magazine reviews, articles or even the ads section. Having been bitten by Time many years ago, I’m looking for advice on which retailer to trust in terms of build quality, technical back-up and delivering on their promises!
Alternatively, I could get a PC custom built using the ‘One Man Band’ amateur/pro approach. The benefits are obvious in terms of saving money and getting the personal touch, however, how the hell do you find someone that knows what they are doing, can provide good back-up and will not run off with my hard earned cash? I’m a simple software/Internet user and have no desire to get involved under the ‘hood’!
Can you help a newbie who feels like his head is running on a warp speed spin cycle? Any advice on the above spec, graphics card recommendation, TFT assurance, which retailer to use (if any), how to find a good builder (PC, not bricks and mortar) and Saturday’s lottery numbers would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for listening (or should that be reading?).
ATB
Steve
‘Roaring to Glory’ with the mighty Tigers…
Right, where do I start? Hmmm, maybe by giving you details on my current spec and wish list. I’m using a P3 1Gig machine, with 128Mb RAM (was 3 times that before I had a motherboard issue that blew two slots), ATI Radeon 64Mb VIVO and a 19” Samsung CRT monitor. Having limped along for long enough following the motherboard disaster, I’ve decided to spend some cash/credit! The only problem is that I’ve got more questions than answers at present! My thoughts are…
- AMD Athlon 64 3200+ rather than the equivalent P4.
- 1Gig of DDR 3200 RAM provided I can afford it (518Mb if not).
- I’m torn between an nVidia GeForce FX6800LE or an ATI Radeon 9800 Pro.
- I’d like a 17” DVI TFT, but I’m a little nervous about TFT's having never had one before (i.e. gaming response rate, image quality for Photoshop work, dead pixels, etc.).
- The rest is standard really…largest SATA HD and fastest DVD writer I can afford, 5.1 sound, built-in memory card reader, XP installed, etc.
If I go down the ‘But Now – Pay Later’ route, which company should I trust with my business? I’m leaning towards Mesh as I have a colleague that had a good experience with them. However, having read negative comments about virtually all the major mail order companies (Mesh, Carrera, Evesham, etc.) I’m starting to get cold feet. The only company that I’ve found with no real negative feedback is Leapfrog, but I have never heard of them and cannot find them in any of the magazine reviews, articles or even the ads section. Having been bitten by Time many years ago, I’m looking for advice on which retailer to trust in terms of build quality, technical back-up and delivering on their promises!
Alternatively, I could get a PC custom built using the ‘One Man Band’ amateur/pro approach. The benefits are obvious in terms of saving money and getting the personal touch, however, how the hell do you find someone that knows what they are doing, can provide good back-up and will not run off with my hard earned cash? I’m a simple software/Internet user and have no desire to get involved under the ‘hood’!
Can you help a newbie who feels like his head is running on a warp speed spin cycle? Any advice on the above spec, graphics card recommendation, TFT assurance, which retailer to use (if any), how to find a good builder (PC, not bricks and mortar) and Saturday’s lottery numbers would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for listening (or should that be reading?).
ATB
Steve
‘Roaring to Glory’ with the mighty Tigers…
.