New computer

jascat · Feb 14, 2012

I am in my sixties & my computer knowledge is limited. I have had my current one for over three years & I am thinking of getting a new one.
My present one is an HP Pavilion A6502 desktop.

Spec:- Intel E2180 2Ghz processor, 2Gb Ram, NVIDIA GeForce 9300GS graphics, Sata 250Gb 7,200rpm harddrive & 15 in 1 multimedia card reader.

I considered building a new one, but not knowing anything about assembling, or setting up a computer, I find this fraught with problems. Is it something I should consider?
E-Bay has a company called Vibox selling what appears to be value for money ready built ones. I was thinking of this one.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VIBOX-iQ-...t=UK_Computing_DesktopPCs&hash=item336e4c192f

If building is something I could manage, the company I thought for parts would be
http://www.aria.co.uk/

If going this route, I would need a complete list of compatable parts. I prefer Intel processor if possible. I am in Cyprus & most use Intel, as the heat here kills AMD.
Any help appreciated for home build, or ready built system.

claptonman · Feb 14, 2012

What is the most you're willing to spend on it, or what you would like to spend on it? Also, what will you be doing with this computer? The one you chose is a gaming computer. If you're not interested in playing games, you could build a much cheaper one.

And for the difficulty of building it, its not that hard. There are thousands of tutorials on the web on how to build one. You'll save money and get much better quality parts.

jascat · Feb 14, 2012

Hi. The computer would mostly be used for the internet, Windows office, home photos, a few videos & some games. The games side does not have to be ultra top end.
Cost is not really a restriction, although I thought around £1,000 ($1,500).
I suppose, a good all round up to date computer.

harry clemance · Feb 14, 2012

If I where you I would get this http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-175-OE&groupid=43&catid=2040&subcat=
Although I would only get this if you are sure you don't want to build your own

harry clemance · Feb 14, 2012

By the way you will have to choose what operating system you want on that

Benny Boy · Feb 14, 2012

A couple of things about a pc like the one you linked is it has more cpu than you need. Less would be more than enough.
Twice as much memory as needed. 8gb is plenty.
The power supply isn't listed because they are not proud of it. The PS is very important. Don't skimp on quality here.
For your budget/uses, the linked has no SSD.

Building it usually won't save much $ if any. The advantage is the ability to distribute it to achieve high quality in each part and performance customization to your wants/needs.

jascat said:
The computer would mostly be used for the internet, Windows office, home photos, a few videos & some games. The games side does not have to be ultra top end.

Do you edit video or do any coding?
Since the gaming may require more computer than those other functions
we first need to know exactly what games you want it to play now or in the near future.

harry clemance · Feb 14, 2012

firstly fair enough the 2600k is probably to powerful. if you wanted one with a 2500k look at this http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-190-OE&groupid=43&catid=2040&subcat= . secondly there is only 8gb of ram so i dont know what your going on about there. the psu is listed its the http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-057-OC&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1098 so again i dont know what your going on about there. if he wanted an ssd all he had to do was choose the upgrade to get an ssd.
building your own will save your self money!!

jascat · Feb 14, 2012

Benny. I don't do any video editing or coding.
I have many older games that will not work with vista, so I plan to use Windows 7, as I am told they would work with that op system. May buy some newer games, but not sure what yet.

I suppose another alternative is to upgrade my existing system to more Ram,better graphics & get a Windows 7 upgrade.
Here are the manufactuers specs for my computer.
http://bizsupport1.austin.hp.com/bi...portFAQ&prodSeriesId=3733085&prodTypeId=12454

Harry. I think Benny was referring to the link I posted, not your link.

harry clemance · Feb 14, 2012

oh my bad

Benny Boy · Feb 15, 2012

Hi Harry

jascat · Feb 15, 2012

Thanks Benny. I will go for building my own. The list you compiled looks great. I have looked at some U Tube on building & it doesn't look difficult.
One question. You list an SSD. Not sure how that operates. Looking around it seems to be used to put windows 7 & the other programs on. All other saved items to go on hard drive.
Does the SSD get a drive letter & the Hard drive another letter,so you can choose where to download, or save something?
Also, with some things on one & some on the other, when running, does the computer automatically pick the required info from both units?

tomwom · Feb 15, 2012

jascat said:
Thanks Benny. I will go for building my own. The list you compiled looks great. I have looked at some U Tube on building & it doesn't look difficult.
One question. You list an SSD. Not sure how that operates. Looking around it seems to be used to put windows 7 & the other programs on. All other saved items to go on hard drive.
Does the SSD get a drive letter & the Hard drive another letter,so you can choose where to download, or save something?
Also, with some things on one & some on the other, when running, does the computer automatically pick the required info from both units?

If you haven't already done so, I'd look at this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxaVBsXEiok

It will show you how to install the OS to make sure it gets on the right drive. Windows will automatically assign the SSD as C drive. You are correct about putting the OS and other programs on the SSD and then all other items such as images and other files on the other HD.

Benny Boy · Feb 15, 2012

jascat said:
One question. You list an SSD. Not sure how that operates. Looking around it seems to be used to put windows 7 & the other programs on. All other saved items to go on hard drive.
Does the SSD get a drive letter & the Hard drive another letter,so you can choose where to download, or save something?
Also, with some things on one & some on the other, when running, does the computer automatically pick the required info from both units?

You got it. Windows and programs to ssd. Saved data to hdd, including the data/storage that Windows and those programs create! So yeah, there's an initial set-up process for the ssd/system, but it's worth it. Take a look here Setup and Manage SSD to get an idea of what your working with. It may seem a bit daunting and time consuming, but it isn't hard and you can handle it. When you get your build list finalized I/we can help you with an easy to follow list of instructions for set-up.

Yes. Like said, when you install 7 it will assign c:\ to the ssd. Don't make any partitions on it.
When you partition and format the hdd you can choose the drive letters for those partitions or Windows will assign them for you. When downloading you can usually choose by letter what drive to load it too. If the there is no choice and you want it to go to a drive other than the ssd (c:\), you can still load it to the drive you want by changining the Windows defualt install location.

Yes it does.

jascat · Feb 16, 2012

Hi Benny. I made out my parts order for Aria, only to find they do not ship outwith the UK. In fact the only company I could find that does, is Overclockers & they are not such good value.
I have found the following German site that does ship to Cyprus. They seem to have everything & at good prices (Euros). My main concern is, some of the product descrptions are not the same as the ones from Aria & want to make sure I do not order a part that is not suitable.

http://www2.hardwareversand.de/home.jsp

Any chance of compiling a list from the German site for me?
I notice you did not list a sound card. Do I need one?
Many thanks

Benny Boy · Feb 17, 2012

I'm going to be pressed for time till the weekend. Perhaps someone will chime in here with suggestions b4 then.

As far as the sound card, the motherboard will have a good one built in. Try that first..

harry clemance · Feb 17, 2012

If you link the products you are looking at we will make sure they are compatible. Unless you have a high end set if headphones or speakers and love amazing quality sound you will be fine with the sound output from a motherboard.

jascat · Feb 17, 2012

Benny Boy · Feb 17, 2012

Looks good to me -

Some Cooler Master power supplies are ok.
Go for Antec , Be Quiet Dark Pro series, Corsair, Seasonic, or XFX.
Some are modular and some are not. The cables are sleeved on the modular. Pretty sure the cables are sleeved on all the wired of those models.

If that thermal paste isn't one of say, the 2 best out there, then what comes with the cooler would be ok.

jascat · Feb 17, 2012

Many thanks for all the help guys.

Benny Boy · Feb 18, 2012

If you want any help setting up your ssd, let us know - or you can use the guide.
When you start the Windows install dvd it will show you the 2 drives. You can partition and format the hdd using your current pc beforehand or with the Windows disc . Don't format the ssd, its ready to go and the 7 installer will align it for you. I suggest no partitions and 45-50gb max on the programs.

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