Doug
Member
Registered: 8th Oct 03
User status: Offline
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Hi guys,
I am thinking about getting a new computer soon as my laptop is 3 years old. Running fine but I'm a geek and love new technology 
I was thinking about building a media computer from scratch but this seems to be a very viable option:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-013-OK
Is that a fair price for the components? (£400) I have a MSDNA subscription so I will install Vista Business onto it for free.
It would be attached to my 32" Samsung screen and that would act as the monitor for it. The main uses will be the downloading and viewing of media, web browsing, CD/DVD burning and some photosop and web design work. Nothing too taxing. Games will be played on the Xbox. Reckon it will be ok?
OC are the only people I have found so far that sell media computers, anywhere else I should try?
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N3CRO
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Registered: 12th Apr 07
Location: Sandy, Bedfordshire
User status: Offline
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I don't really rate OC coz I had problems with them and their shitty services but there are other sites out there.
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Doug
Member
Registered: 8th Oct 03
User status: Offline
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I cant find any that sell media computers. Any suggestions?
Thanks
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JM Curdy
Member
Registered: 20th Jan 05
Location: Stranraer, Scotland
User status: Offline
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surely aria or ebuyer must stock some form of media computers? let me know how you get on doug, im thinking of going down that avenue aswell
altho building my own is probably my better option
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Doug
Member
Registered: 8th Oct 03
User status: Offline
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I was going to build my own, but buying a pre-built one may just prove to be easier.
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JM Curdy
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Registered: 20th Jan 05
Location: Stranraer, Scotland
User status: Offline
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easier probably, but a tad more expensive, you ever built a pc before doug?
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Doug
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Registered: 8th Oct 03
User status: Offline
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Nope, but I have just finished a computing degree so I cant see it being that hard? 
I just dont know much about hardware i.e what works with what as I never read about it with owning a laptop.
I wouldnt mind building my own though as I could get a better spec for the money
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JM Curdy
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Registered: 20th Jan 05
Location: Stranraer, Scotland
User status: Offline
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i built my first pc without any degrees or previous experience in under 2hours from gathering the parts, quite possibly the easiest thing ever done, ok i have a good grasp of technology but im sure you have too. great sense of achievement once finished aswell, wasnt a simple build i did either, lights etc. was pretty and cheap as heck too
id reccommend doing it yourself, internetz is your friend if you ever get stuck
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Doug
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Registered: 8th Oct 03
User status: Offline
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Thats true yeah.
I will price up the build now. I need to look at microATX mobo for that lantec case dont I ?
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N3CRO
Member
Registered: 12th Apr 07
Location: Sandy, Bedfordshire
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Doug
Nope, but I have just finished a computing degree so I cant see it being that hard?
I just dont know much about hardware i.e what works with what as I never read about it with owning a laptop.
I wouldnt mind building my own though as I could get a better spec for the money
I don't have a degree and I build my own computers.
Didn't even need the qualifications I have to build and set them up neither.
Its easy.
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Russ
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Registered: 14th Mar 04
Location: Armchair
User status: Offline
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you have a computing degree and cant build a pc. what did you do on your degree
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Doug
Member
Registered: 8th Oct 03
User status: Offline
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Business Information Technology.
I can build a PC and understand exactly how it works. But I dont know what bits I need for that case etc as its small form
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JM Curdy
Member
Registered: 20th Jan 05
Location: Stranraer, Scotland
User status: Offline
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probably a software based course russ
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JM Curdy
Member
Registered: 20th Jan 05
Location: Stranraer, Scotland
User status: Offline
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http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Cases/Desktop/Arianet+HTPC+Media+Centre+case+-+mATX+?productId=27730
looks a decent cheap case, comes with 520w PSU for 20odd quid :O
[Edited on 17-05-2008 by JM Curdy]
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Bart
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Registered: 19th Aug 02
Location: Midsomer Norton, Bristol Avon
User status: Offline
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I also built my own from an older pc which was replaced by an upgrade.
I would recommend Vista over xp MCE 100%. The PC doesnt need to be a particularly fast spec either, the most important being ram followed by graphics card and TV tuner card.
You can probably picked up a sufficient gfx card for £60.
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JM Curdy
Member
Registered: 20th Jan 05
Location: Stranraer, Scotland
User status: Offline
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Im actually gonna go for this ..
PC unit
with one of these ..
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/104608
and fire it into my 50" plasma
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Bart
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Registered: 19th Aug 02
Location: Midsomer Norton, Bristol Avon
User status: Offline
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thats a good spec pc for the money actually, although theres no brand names on anything so its all likely to be value stuff, still not bad tho, suitable for your needs.
oh, and dont be silly, get the proper microsoft remote and Keyboard
also, get something like this TV Card. dual input, pause/rewind/record live tv bla bla bla
[Edited on 17-05-2008 by Bart]
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JM Curdy
Member
Registered: 20th Jan 05
Location: Stranraer, Scotland
User status: Offline
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got skyhd in the room mate
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Bart
Member
Registered: 19th Aug 02
Location: Midsomer Norton, Bristol Avon
User status: Offline
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well, the TV card would stop you having to flick from sky to pc everything would be done on the HTPC
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Doug
Member
Registered: 8th Oct 03
User status: Offline
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Would it be possible to get a HD set up for £400 these days?
Its going to be a general use computer thats always on and will replace my laptop.
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