Advice needed for new PC (Self Build or not?)

Scorpio1000

Scorpio1000

Scorpio1000

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Joined
23 Feb 2009
Posts
27
Hi and Happy New Year!
I have a slight dilemma with my next PC and require your advice please. I need to update my self built Pentium 4 3.2ghz system office PC which was built a few years ago and has reached the end of its service! Even though it is still working, I hate using it as my other PC’s are of a higher spec and much nicer to use. Its main use is office applications, Internet, email also a bit of video and audio editing.
So, I decided to replace that system by ordering a Dell Vostro Core i5 system (costing £470) even though I have had a bad experience in the past with Dell. Prior to purchase I was told that I would receive my new PC within 7-10 days. However, when I checked the order status a few days later to my surprise estimated delivery date shown was mid February I cancelled the order straight away!
I’ve been looking around in the high street stores for a PC that I could buy there and then but failed to find anything that I liked in terms of look and spec. I did a self build last year which was a Core i7 system which was built for my studio (Audio/Video editing, Audio production etc). So I am now thinking to do another self build. I could use the old case and hard drive from my P4 system which means I am looking at £350-£400 for the upgrade components (Right??)

Questions are:
1. I am better off with a self build or off the shelf?
2. Is the Core i5 system too high spec for the use? (I am thinking futureproof as I intend to keep this for some time. I found that I still do the odd intensive task on the office PC despite have a specific PC built for that.)
3. Or do I just work with the P4 system by overclocking it, install Windows 7 on it and carry out all intensive work on the i7 system? (try not to recommend this one hahahaha!)

Thanks for your help on this..
 
The i5 is a lovely chip - but to be honest, for your uses an AM3 system with a X3 CPU would be plenty powerful and a bit cheaper. Also, going by past form - getting an AM3 platform should give the system a nice long lifespan with many opportunities for upgrades.

I would suggest looking for a 785G board like this, as it is AM3 and has a perfectly adequate HD 4200 graphics card included on the board.

I would definitely suggest building yourself as you can get a system of the exact spec you want and can guarantee all of the components are good quality (gotta love dell for using bargain basement PSUs and RAM).
 
I agree with above although an athlon II x3 425 would easily be enough, built a friend a system with one in and it powers through day to day tasks and the occasional bit of gaming.
 
Oh no more choices. I always thought that Intel chips were better than the AMD's. Also, would the AMD motherboard fit in my old Coolermaster Centurion case or should I upgrade that too?
 
At this price range and below AMD chips are actually better than intel. I agree with monkeyking, that the CPU I specified may be more powerful that you need - the tri core he suggest or this dual core will run your apps perfectly well and save you some money.

As for fitting in your case, the AMD board I linked to is standard ATX, as is your case - so you shouldn't have a problem. However, I would suggest upgrading your PSU (assuming it hasn't been upgraded since p4 days) - something like this would be fantastic (more powerful, reliable and quiet).
 
cmndr_andi said:
At this price range and below AMD chips are actually better than intel. I agree with monkeyking, that the CPU I specified may be more powerful that you need - the tri core he suggest or this dual core will run your apps perfectly well and save you some money.

As for fitting in your case, the AMD board I linked to is standard ATX, as is your case - so you shouldn't have a problem. However, I would suggest upgrading your PSU (assuming it hasn't been upgraded since p4 days) - something like this would be fantastic (more powerful, reliable and quiet).
Click to expand...

Perfect, I will look into this option.
Thanks
 
@Scorpio1000 - At the risk of sounding lazy, I would advise most people wanting a new PC to avoid the likes of Dell, PC World, etc., with their overpriced, underspecced products and opt for a custom built PC. In fact, unless you actually enjoy the challenge of building your own PC then I'd say that is the ideal choice myself.

The advantage of this is that you can pick exactly what you want in your PC and know that it'll work because it will have been tested thoroughly. It'll also be guaranteed for at least a year. Sure, it costs a bit more than buying the parts separately and it takes all the fun out of building a PC if that's what you enjoy but it also removes a lot of frustration which you typically get when the components you've chosen don't work well together or some incompatibility issue rears its ugly head. That's because the people who build these PCs know which parts work best (as they make so many of them) and if anything should go wrong then you've got someone to turn to for support.
 
Darren1967 said:
The advantage of this is that you can pick exactly what you want in your PC and know that it'll work because it will have been tested thoroughly. It'll also be guaranteed for at least a year. Sure, it costs a bit more than buying the parts separately and it takes all the fun out of building a PC if that's what you enjoy but it also removes a lot of frustration which you typically get when the components you've chosen don't work well together or some incompatible issue rears its ugly head. That's because the people who build these PCs know which parts work best and if anything should go wrong then you've got someone to turn to for support.
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Its a good point, but I suggest that if he gets a spec off these forums he will get components that definitely work together. We check each others specs - so if someone makes a compatibility mistake - it is quickly fixed.

To the OP: I would be happy to put together a spec for you, can you just state:
- Definite budget for system
- Details of Components you currently have and think can be carried over
- if you need an operating system or other peripherals within the budget.
 
Scorpio1000 said:
@Darren1967 - I thought about this option too which is a very good one especially as time is not on my side! Can you or anyone recommend any good custom build companies??
Click to expand...

Are we allowed to recommend other companies on the forum?

I apologise in advance if we aren't but to answer your question: I bought my current PC from Cyber**** in December 2008. They were terrific and have really excellent support; I cannot fault them at all. Another good company that a work colleague has used was PC **********. There are many others but I can't vouch for them as I've had no experience with them.

Edited to remove names of competitors!!!
 
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Unfortunately you can't - no competitors of OCUK.

To be fair OCUK do make computers very well - and if you drop them a line they will sort you out with exactly the PC you want.
 
cmndr_andi said:
Its a good point, but I suggest that if he gets a spec off these forums he will get components that definitely work together. We check each others specs - so if someone makes a compatibility mistake - it is quickly fixed.

To the OP: I would be happy to put together a spec for you, can you just state:
- Definite budget for system
- Details of Components you currently have and think can be carried over
- if you need an operating system or other peripherals within the budget.
Click to expand...

Do you have a company?
Can I ask if you have built for other forum members?
Where would you get the components from?
 
Na man, I'm not building it - just specifying the parts. I'll give you a list of OCUK parts that will make an awesome computer that you can build yourself. My payment - satisfaction on a job well done.

I do have a company, but I can't advertise competitors here - I'm just here for the banter :D
 
Why not take a look at the computers that OCUK build..........? I ordered one for my brother a few weeks back and i was very impressed with the build and the tidyness of the system!
 
cmndr_andi said:
Na man, I'm not building it - just specifying the parts. I'll give you a list of OCUK parts that will make an awesome computer that you can build yourself. My payment - satisfaction on a job well done.

I do have a company, but I can't advertise competitors here - I'm just here for the banter :D
Click to expand...

Oh ok. I am more than happy to build it myself as I have done quite a few builds now.

In terms of budget I am prepared to spend up to £500 for a powerful futureproof PC which will handle all my tasks and more.

I have following to use in the new pc:
74gb WD Velociraptor drive for the OS / C drive
Other hard drives
Coolermaster Centurion Case (OLD!!)
Optical drives
THATS ABOUT IT!
 
happy_2008 said:
Why not take a look at the computers that OCUK build..........? I ordered one for my brother a few weeks back and i was very impressed with the build and the tidyness of the system!
Click to expand...

Sound advice really, just check whatever complete systems ocuk offers around your price range and just change specific parts as needed to suit your spec.
 
Here is a quick spec I put together:

343x2.png


I would suggest reusing the case, HDDs and optical drives. However, if you have a lot of older hard disks, you may want to consider consolidating them onto one large, fast and quiet one like this.
 
cmndr_andi said:
Here is a quick spec I put together:

snip

I would suggest reusing the case, HDDs and optical drives. However, if you have a lot of older hard disks, you may want to consider consolidating them onto one large, fast and quiet one like this.
Click to expand...

for an extra £30 he might aswell stick the athlon II x4 620 in it he'll still be far under and if he ever does run some multi threaded apps on it he'll be covered.
 
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