Need a new set up

HUNTER.P · 3 Oct 2011 at 12:32

Currently use a dell inspiron 6400 laptop. Nothing special but got me through school but now at uni I need something better.

Anyway, just started uni and have been looking at getting a PC/Laptop. Doing electrical engineering and will be using Solid Edge a good bit.

Want a system that can run this easily, plus run all the usual stuff at the same time without struggling. But the thing is I dunno where I would be without a laptop.

The other curveball is, BF3. Tried PC gaming a few years ago in some gaming centre in town, closed down a while ago. But the expierence compared to the PS3 is just a lot better.

So my question, is it possible to get a laptop to do all that and at what price. Or if not how much would I be looking for a PC. I don't making up either myself, in fact if possible I would prefer too.

Phil

Gilbert89 · 3 Oct 2011 at 12:44

There are gaming laptops out there capable of playing a game such as BF3 although the price will reflect that. Personally I would go for a PC for value for money and the overall experience. What is your budget?

HUNTER.P · 3 Oct 2011 at 13:07

Will be Xmas time before I get it and have been told by the parents they would put £400 towards it and and hope to put some money away between now and then.
So say £700 - £800

HUNTER.P · 9 Oct 2011 at 15:34

Right a desktop looks like the best way and I am sure I can adapt too not being able to bring it everywhere with me

Anyway been looking at cases and love the NZXT Phantom so all I need now is a lot of help and advice on what I need to complete it :eek:

Also I would love to have a hd monitor, but at the minute I plug my laptop in my 32" tv and run dual monitors. Its not HD, but will I be able to run a HD Monitor with the TV with a intention of upgrading the TV to HD at a later point?

olivier renault · 9 Oct 2011 at 15:58

that would almost be my minimum spec.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Asus GeForce GTX 560Ti DirectCU II 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card **Supplied with FREE Batman: Arkham City PC game** £179.99
1 x Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £175.99
1 x Asus P8Z68-V LX Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £79.98
1 x Microsoft Windows 7 Bundle - Home Premium 64 Bit £68.40
1 x Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB SATA 6Gb/s 16MB Cache - OEM (WD5000AAKX) £30.98
1 x Antec TruePower New Modular 650W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £64.98
1 x Cooler Master HAF 912 Plus Case - Black £59.99
1 x Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX1600C9AD3B1K2/4G) £26.99
1 x LG GH22NS70 22x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £17.99
Total : £721.79 (includes shipping : £13.75).

I'd say reconsider the case

£100 is a lot of money in a budget like that.

I put a decent gaming case in that is on offer, although you can go cheaper as well as more expensive.

Reaper 392 · 9 Oct 2011 at 16:16

as someone in their second year at uni on a computing ourse i can tell you that there arent a huge amount of advantages of having a laptop over a desktop, especially if you bring it into lectures you would rather not be in :rolleyes:

also, if you go for an expensive laptop your looking at a massive premium in your insurance. i have a £500 desktop and it cost £34 to insure. my flatmate with a ~£700 laptop had to pay ~£100 for the same level of insurance

also, since you are going to uni i would not buy windows 7 from OcUK. you can get a massive discount since you are a student, and may even be able to get it for free from your university (i can get win7 pro for free from reading uni). if you cant then you can find websites that give software 4 students at a massive discount (win7 hp can be found for ~£40 i believe)

i would agree with ollie too: the case is quite expensive for your budget. however, if you have your heart set on it then feel free to go for it, just bear in mind you could spend the money on getting a faster PC instead

shootersam · 9 Oct 2011 at 16:21

Reaper 392 said:
you can get a massive discount since you are a student, and may even be able to get it for free from your university (i can get win7 pro for free from reading uni). if you cant then you can find websites that give software 4 students at a massive discount (win7 hp can be found for ~£40 i believe)

+1, my brother is in uni, and he gets windows very cheaply.

HUNTER.P · 9 Oct 2011 at 16:25

I am aware of the software for students website - have purchased from them once or twice.

That is not my full budget, I dont mind spending an extra 200-500 will just take me a month or two longer.

Reaper 392 · 9 Oct 2011 at 16:35

HUNTER.P said:
I am aware of the software for students website - have purchased from them once or twice.

That is not my full budget, I dont mind spending an extra 200-500 will just take me a month or two longer.

what university will you be going to? you might be able to get win7 for free. i know theres a lot of unis who are in this scheme that i cant remember the name of

HUNTER.P · 9 Oct 2011 at 18:01

Ulster University - Jordanstown. I will enquire about it