A little specification check for you. Thank you please.

[Fergie]

Hey guys.

My room-mate is looking to buy a PC. He's not looking for a build it yourself jobby, he's not the most tech savvy. I could do it for him, but I don't think he will trust me!

So we've been looking in some places for ready made PC's with everything, (Screen, keyboard, mouse, speakers the whole kaboodle). We've found 3 systems with the following specs:

1)

# Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6320
# 1.86GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 4MB Cache
# Genuine Windows Vista(TM) Premium
# 1024MB RAM
# 250GB Hard Drive
# Dual Layer DVD ReWriter Drive
# 256MB ATI Radeon 1650SE DVI Graphics
# Built-in TV Tuner + Remote Control
# 8-In-1 Media Card Reader
# 19" Widescreen AOC TFT Monitor

2)

# Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6300
# 1.86GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 2MB Cache
# Genuine Windows Vista(TM) Home Premium
# 1024MB RAM Memory
# 320GB Hard Drive
# Dual Layer DVD ReWriter Drive
# 256MB NVidia GeForce 7100GS Graphics
# Built-In TV Tuner + Remote Control
# 8-In-1 Media Card Reader
# 19" Widescreen AOC TFT Monitor

3)

# Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E4300
# 1.8GHz , 800MHz FSB, 2MB Cache
# Genuine Windows Vista(TM) Basic
# 1024MB RAM Memory
# 80GB Hard Drive
# Dual Layer DVD ReWriter Drive
# NVIDIA GeForce 7500LE Graphics
# 6 USB Connections
# 4 PCI Slots
# 19" Widescreen AOC TFT Monitor

Each costs £599. Although he can get 10% at this certain store they're from so in actuality they will cost him £540.

So opinions? Firstly which one's best, or are they all a complete rip off?

Thanks very much guys, you're all usually very helpful so don't let me down this time!

 

[semi-pro waster]

No. 1) has the best CPU and probably overall spread of parts but seriously what else do you get with no. 3)? I'm expecting something like a date with a luscious lovely or something considering it is the same price as the rest but completely shafted on the parts.

I think you might be able to build better for the same price but I'd need to specify something to check.

//edit if you are willing to build it then this knocks them all into a cocked hat in my personal opinion.

Microsoft Black Value Pack 2.0 - OEM (S82-00029) £12.99
(£15.26) £12.99
(£15.26)
OcUK Value Hanns-G HC194D 19" LCD Monitor - Silver/Black £99.99
(£117.49) £99.99
(£117.49)
Samsung SH-S182D 18x18 DVD±RW ReWriter (Black) - OEM £12.99
(£15.26) £12.99
(£15.26)
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-Bit Edition DVD - OEM - 1Pk (66I-00788) £59.99
(£70.49) £59.99
(£70.49)
Antec NSK4400 Mini Tower Case - 380W SmartPower PSU £39.99
(£46.99) £39.99
(£46.99)
OcUK GeForce 7600 GT 256MB GDDR3 TV-Out/DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail £54.99
(£64.61) £54.99
(£64.61)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB ST3250620AS SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM £39.99
(£46.99) £39.99
(£46.99)
Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 "LGA775 Allendale" 1.80GHz (800FSB) - Retail £68.99
(£81.06) £68.99
(£81.06)
OcUK 2GB (2x1GB) PC2-6400C5 800MHz DDR2 Dual Channel Kit £49.99
(£58.74) £49.99
(£58.74)
Abit IB9 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard £54.99
(£64.61) £54.99
(£64.61)
Sub Total : £494.90
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
City Link Parcel Next Day (Delivered Mon-Fri)
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £12.95
VAT is being charged at 17.5% VAT : £88.87
Total : £596.72

 

[Fergie]

Yea I did think 3) was a bit underspecced. I think it may be a mistake on the website in that case.

The computer is going to be used for mainly university work, but it will also be doing some CAD work. So would you still think 1) would be best suited for what he needs?

Thanks for the help by the way.

 

[Tk7]

There's not too much between 1 & 2 really. 3 I wouldn't bother with, it has a small HDD and only Vista basic.

It really depends what your friend wants from it I guess. I'd always push for a self build, but the lower the budget the harder it gets really. Some of the big brands are good value for money for a basic PC.

 

[Fergie]

Spec

As good as that spec is for the money, it is one of those times where the person would much rather buy from a store and have a warenty and such. Thanks for the effort though.

 

[semi-pro waster]

No problems, I can understand that, sometimes it is just easier to buy pre-built and have someone else deal with all the problems. It was as much for my interest as to try to persuade you/them.