got this quote for a bespoke pc? Advice

[BourneSupreme]

Bespoke PC System

INTEL CORE 2 QUAD 2.4 GHZ CPU Q6600
GIGABYTE GA-P35C-DS3R MAINBOARD
8 CHANNEL HD SOUND
USB 2.0 / ETHERNET / SPDIF / SATA II
MAXTOR 320GB HARD DRIVE SATA II
4 GB DDR 667 RAM
LG 20X DVD-RE WRITER
ASUS NVIDIA 7300 GRAPHICS CARD PCI-X
4 BAY 500W ATX CASE - FRONT USB + SOUND

MS WINDOWS VISTA HOME PREMIUM

WINDOWS USB MOUSE + K'BOARD

LG 19" WIDESCREEN TFT MONITOR

3 YEAR RTB WARRANTY

PCIDEAS SOFTWARE SECURITY + UTILITY SUITE

TOTAL PRICE £869.00 INC VAT

Is it value for money?

* CPU Details ~ Intel Core 2 Quad Go Stepping ( 2.4Ghz 1066Mhz ) Soc 775 L2
8M Cache

*Memory Details ~ Crucial 1GB DDR2 667MHZ / PC2-5300 / CL5 / 1.8v X 4 (
4MB Total )

* Case Details ~ Cooler Master Centurian 5

*Power Supply Details ~ Magna 500w Transparent ( with dual fans and fan
speed controller )

 

[Adywebb]

Whether its value for money is difficult to say without knowing more about some of the componants.

It has a good start - the CPU is fine, but you need to ensure it is the latest G0 stepping version which runs cooler with lower power requirements, the motherboard is an excellent one for its price, the graphics card is adequate if your not into serious gaming, and LG do some good monitors.

However, before you even consider this you need to find out the make and spec of the memory, likewise the make/model of the case and what the 500W PSU is.

Where did you spec this?

 

[PotGuy]

Just adding to Ady's points on checking the brand of the memory, case and PSU, I would say that the graphics card is weak for the money.

 

[Adywebb]

I agree - the GPU although adequate if your not into much gaming, does not do the rest of the system justice.

 

[BourneSupreme]

I got it spec'd from my local PC ideas store.

What questions shall I ask him exactly? I can then get back to you guys with further info?

 

[Ian]

Be sure to ask Ady's first point of:

However, before you even consider this you need to find out the make and spec of the memory, likewise the make/model of the case and what the 500W PSU is.

Are you planning on doing gaming at all? If so you would want at least an 8600 card ideally

 

[Adywebb]

You want to know:


Is the Q6600 CPU the G0 stepping version (the product code ends in 'SLACR')

What is the make/model and timings of the memory.

What is the make/model of the Case.

What is the make/model of the Power Supply Unit.

If they can't answer any of these questions walk away

As Ian says, consider a better graphics card - and if you want to save some money to put towards it, cut back the memory to 2GB

 

[Abarbarian]

Aria are still selling the ATI Radeon 800 GT AIW for £25 a bargin if ever there was one .

 

[BourneSupreme]

You want to know:


Is the Q6600 CPU the G0 stepping version (the product code ends in 'SLACR')

What is the make/model and timings of the memory.

What is the make/model of the Case.

What is the make/model of the Power Supply Unit.

If they can't answer any of these questions walk away

As Ian says, consider a better graphics card - and if you want to save some money to put towards it, cut back the memory to 2GB

thanks mate

will do that immediately and get back to you tomorrow

oh btw..im not going to be using it for gaming unless at somepoint in the future i decide to connect PS3 to the TFT monitor , lol

oH BTW...if you plan on watching movies etc...does the graphics card have an impact as well..or does that imply solely for gaming?

 

[BourneSupreme]

Here are the further details as requested:

* CPU Details ~ Intel Core 2 Quad Go Stepping ( 2.4Ghz 1066Mhz ) Soc 775 L2
8M Cache

*Memory Details ~ Crucial 1GB DDR2 667MHZ / PC2-5300 / CL5 / 1.8v X 4 (
4MB Total )

* Case Details ~ Cooler Master Centurian 5

*Power Supply Details ~ Magna 500w Transparent ( with dual fans and fan
speed controller )

So does it look good?

 

[PotGuy]

It all looks good except for the PSU.

I have never heard of Magna, but I have done 10 minutes of searching the old Googly and they seem to be a pretty standard unit in quite a few PCs. Apparently only of about a £10-15 worth, but havn't found any horror stories.

17a 12v rail, seems stable enough, but really a no go.

Go for something more in the £40 range, like an Enermax, Tagen or something and you will be nice and safe.



EDIT: http://computers.search.ebay.co.uk/...ftrvZ1QQga10244Z10425QQsabfmtsZ1QQsacatZ58058

Hmm. Definately look elsewhere.

 

[BourneSupreme]

It all looks good except for the PSU.

I have never heard of Magna, but I have done 10 minutes of searching the old Googly and they seem to be a pretty standard unit in quite a few PCs. Apparently only of about a £10-15 worth, but havn't found any horror stories.

17a 12v rail, seems stable enough, but really a no go.

Go for something more in the £40 range, like an Enermax, Tagen or something and you will be nice and safe.



EDIT: http://computers.search.ebay.co.uk/...ftrvZ1QQga10244Z10425QQsabfmtsZ1QQsacatZ58058

Hmm. Definately look elsewhere.

what part does the PSU play mate in realtion to pc performance?

 

[Ian]

what part does the PSU play mate in realtion to pc performance?

It's not so much the performance, but the overall stability and longevity of the PC. As the PSU provides power to all of the other items in the PC, it is one of the most important parts and essential to get something that won't fail. I bet many users on this site have bought a cheap PSU at some point and regretted it

All of the other components look good, but I'd suggest seeing if there is a better quality PSU for peace of mind It's one of those things where it could be fine for 5 years, or it could cause a problem and damage something after 2 years. It shouldn't cost much more to get a better one, and the rest of the system looks good

 

[Abarbarian]

Considering how cheap memory is these days I'd be wanting 800mhz memory as a bottom line .

 

[BourneSupreme]

Considering how cheap memory is these days I'd be wanting 800mhz memory as a bottom line .

The memnory on this is good though, isnt it?

BTW, Thermaltake Toughpower WO116 750w PSU - Add £39.00

is this a better PSU?

 

[Abarbarian]

I'd go with the Thermaltake meself . The memory is good but its pretty slow for the rest of the machine . To be honest for the money you are spending you could build your self a better spec pc .

 

[PotGuy]

That is a much better PSU.

Seems a little bit on the pricey side for what you are getting but it seems to all be good quality stuff.

You sure you wouldn't consider building your own?

 

[BourneSupreme]

I'd go with the Thermaltake meself . The memory is good but its pretty slow for the rest of the machine . To be honest for the money you are spending you could build your self a better spec pc .

unless you know someone who can build it at a better price...im more than willing to pay them, lol