19 replies to this topic

[Ash]

I'm thinking of getting a new rig, and I was Googling over the 'net, and came across www.pcspecialist.co.uk. They have awesome systems at fucking incredible prices.

Before I go through the process of puppy-dog-eyes on my mother, I want to know if the people here are too good to be true. They look pretty reputable, but you never know. I wanted to know if anyone else has dealt with this particular company, and if they're as good as they claim.

I'll read their testimonials but of course, anyone can make up a shitload of testimonials if they want to. So...what say y'all?

The pic attached shows what specs I entered. I don't need a monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers or other peripherals. Just the rig.

Price: £817 all-in, including VAT, packaging and delivery. Without VAT, pack or del, it's £696.

Now, if this is legit, that's not half bad, IMO.

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[Torn]

It's actually overpriced imo. Especially without a monitor. It's a Socket 754 system too, which is now out of date.

It's exactly the same specs as my pc minus the X800XL and with 512mb extra ram. I got mine (without a monitor) for £530 from Mesh (http://www.meshcomputers.com). Super prices there and I'm really pleased with my pc, which I got in October. Check the BTO (Built to order) section for the good stuff

[Ash]

I decided to go for bigger hard drive

I don't like the restrictedness of that mesh computer site. You don't get to choose your own parts...build to order is a bit false. Gives the impression you have a choice of what's in your rig.


I don't even know what Socket 754 means...so =/

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Edited by Comrade Jerkov, 03 August 2005 - 05:50 PM.

[Athena]

Well that's the socket in the motherboard. Only processors with Socket 754 fit in that. When buying a processor for your mobo you must choose one with the same Socket as the mobo, else it won't fit.

[Ash]

Ah. Thanks

Like it matters. The AMD will fit, and they do all the work of bolting the bastard together so I'm happy.

Too much of a change to a different socket number/mobo/processor will hike the price. And I don't wanna do that too much.

[Torn]

Erm............................... and how does the pcspecialist.co.uk configurator give you any more freedom? Mesh tell you what components they put in, and you can configure it with exactly the same freedom as the pcspecialist site. Look throughly at other sites like that before making up your mind.

[Ash]

Ah. I just found the configurator.

Why in Christ would I want TWO graphics cards? o_0 Other than that, for essentially the same comp I'm paying a grand (PLUS getting keyboards and other crap I don't need because I can't remove them from the options), including delivery.

Therefore specialist are the better option IMO. I get exactly what I want (which isn't much different than this MESH) for 200quid less.

Oh, and it only lets me have ONE CD/DVD write drive.

Edited by Comrade Jerkov, 09 August 2005 - 12:27 PM.

[Torn]

http://www.meshcompu...ted/bto_m_1.htm

Configure that one to the same specs as the one you have at the moment, but with an X800 (better) instead of an X800XL (worse). It comes out cheaper. Albeit by £10, but you get a better graphics card

EDIT: I guess you missed the '(2 Drive)' options then.

Edited by tornado2099, 09 August 2005 - 05:30 PM.

[Ash]

Call me stupid...but how is a 128 better than a 256?

Even so, the price is cheaper with pcspecialist. The price I gave is INCLUDING VAT and delivery. Add VAT to the price Mesh gives and it comes to 900-odd. So actually your quote is more expensive

And yes, on configurating that time, I did see the 2drives. Fair enough I stand corrected on that score

[Torn]

Build. Your. Own.

[Athena]

Even though that might be cheaper and more fun, not everyone can build his own computer. My little brother for example wouldn't even know where to start, like that time he opened this toy piano and couldn't put it back together .
But if one can, it can be fun to do and cheaper . You can make your computer exactly as you want.

[Torn]

http://www.buildyourown.org.uk/

Very helpful and nice site that tells you all you'll need to know.

[Ash]

Incidentally, I found an IRL dealer who shaved 200 quid off my PCS quote for the same thing. Top banana Besides, building your own takes time.

[Torn]

And effort too . The deal you got sounds nice.

[Blodo]

Yes Ash, accept the prebuilt. You know you want to be ripped off

I took a quick glance over the stuff and honestly unless you never plan to expand this computer, you should:
1. Get a 939 socket mainboard and a Athlon3200 on a 939 socket to go with it. 754 is the past, meanwhile it's not like you'll be paying much (if any) extra.
2. 2gb of RAM. End of story.
3. Radeon x800? Get a GeForce 7600GT on a PCI-E bus. It's usually quite cheap (depends on what you buy, I prefer WinFast) and the quality boost is enormous. AGP isn't really too popular anymore, so again I bring the issue of a possible future expanse.
4. SB Live < SB Audigy 2 and the price is pretty much the same ATM (I believe the Audigy is actually cheaper, though were talking about the Audigy 2 OEM version - you don't really need the box with it eh) and I checked it this week. If you can get a hold of an Audigy 4 - even better.

BTW Two graphics cards in SLI is actually quite popular amongst the performance freaks, but you obviously need to know what you're putting into your case, lest you find yourself in the silly situation of the processor slowing down your overall performance. Dual-core ain't actually too useful yet, because they aren't really supported in everything yet, and older software seems to have a tendency to break or really slow down.

My take on things.

[Athena]

*cough* old topic *cough*

Ash already has a AMD 3200 afaik .

I have an Radeon x800 pro on AGP8x mobo (939 socket), but you don't want to buy an AGP8x motherboard anymore, if it's even possible. It doesn't run bad with say Oblivion or Prey, but it's getting a bit old for the newer games in the future.

[Blodo]

Curses! Damn you necromancers!

[Ash]

Yeah...talk about fuck-revival.


To the guest, I imagine pcspecialist are good, but I went to a shop in Rotherham and got one built just as good but cheaper.

And I just got it nicely upgradezored, just a couple of months after my comp's 1st birthday