So how do you do it?

Scythian · 5 Oct 2011 at 15:25

How do you all come up with specs that fit within a certain budget? especially the tighter budgets!

Is there any method you follow or is it just a case of you knowing all of the parts from the top of your head then checking the prices whilst speccing a build?.

Mainly asking out of curiosity, although hopefully I'm expecting a bit of cash from college soon so I would like to attempt a spec instead of just relying on the forums without at least attempting it myself

Paul11 · 5 Oct 2011 at 15:27

use a spreadsheet ?

cmndr_andi · 5 Oct 2011 at 15:40

I usually do it by remembering the approximate prices and relative performance of the components - and using that to come up with a balanced build that is around the budget, then look up the live prices and update it so it fits within the budget (and keep an eye out for any current deals).

panyan · 5 Oct 2011 at 16:02

Scythian said:
knowing all of the parts from the top of your head then checking the prices whilst speccing a build

Admiral Huddy · 5 Oct 2011 at 16:08

Wizard stulid will never reveal his secrets!

tidusjar · 5 Oct 2011 at 16:14

Admiral Huddy said:
Wizard stulid will never reveal his secrets!

Tibbz2 · 5 Oct 2011 at 16:17

Admiral Huddy said:
Wizard stulid will never reveal his secrets!

It must be magic!

Reaper 392 · 5 Oct 2011 at 18:29

i know reasonably well the difference in performance of all the major components and i know the rough prices, so if someone gave me a budget and the uses of the computer i would know what processor and graphics to put in i could spec something pretty close to the budget. once ive put in what i reckon will fit in the budget i see what it comes out as and alter a few things accordingly.

Sin_Chase · 5 Oct 2011 at 18:35

OCuK totally need to implement a system builder page which will filter out products depending on compatibility! Would require some meta-data on the products but once you set it once you would only need to maintain new stock as it was added

Reaper 392 · 5 Oct 2011 at 18:45

Sin_Chase said:
OCuK totally need to implement a system builder page which will filter out products depending on compatibility! Would require some meta-data on the products but once you set it once you would only need to maintain new stock as it was added

but that would stop the people who ask if their totally rubbish build is compatible from going to GH

Sin_Chase · 6 Oct 2011 at 10:55

Reaper 392 said:
but that would stop the people who ask if their totally rubbish build is compatible from going to GH

That's not the fault of the tool though

numatic.nathan · 6 Oct 2011 at 11:17

Being a geek, I tend to knowroughly hardware prices, but when building for friends, I shop about and try and find the cheapest, best parts possible. The other week I built a gaming PC with all new parts for under £400